By Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo, GNA
Tema, Jan. 22, GNA – The Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled (GSPD) has cautioned religious leaders against making derogatory or disrespectful remarks about persons with disabilities, urging them to uphold dignity and human rights in their public engagements.
In a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), the Society said religious leaders should refrain from mimicking, mocking, or portraying persons with disabilities in ways that reinforce stigma or discrimination.
The GSPD specifically called on Prophet Telvin Sowah Adjei of the Prophetic Life Embassy to render a public and unconditional apology to persons with disabilities, following a viral video in which he was alleged to have made derogatory remarks during a sermon.
The Society described the remarks as offensive and unacceptable, noting that such language undermines the dignity of persons with disabilities.
“Such language promotes stigma and discrimination and violates the dignity and rights of persons with disabilities as protected under the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715), and relevant international instruments,” the statement said.
It noted that Ghana is a State Party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which obliges the State and all actors to promote respect for inherent dignity, non-discrimination, and the full participation of persons with disabilities in society.
“Public speech that dehumanises persons with disabilities contravenes these obligations,” the Society stressed, calling for the immediate withdrawal of the remarks.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei