The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DCAY Foundation, a human centered NGO based in Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region, Madam Rita Kriba has charged parents to desist from denying their children with disabilities access to formal education.
According to her, parents have no right whatsoever to discriminate against or deny their less fortunate children (disabled) access to education, whereas those without any form of disabilities are being sent to school and provided with more opportunities to unearth their potentials.
“Every Ghanaian child with or without disability must be educated and supported to reach up to their potentials. But to have two children and deny one education because of his or her disability is unacceptable”.
Madam Rita Kriba who is also a philanthropist gave the advice at a post-new-year party organized for children with disabilities at Odumase in the Sunyani West District. The children and their parents had a lot to eat, drink and share.
The food and drinks were far in excess and as a result, the children had the opportunity to still send a lot of food home. The event marks one of the major outdoor activities of the DCAY Foundation as it was used also to show love and care to those special children.
Madam Rita Kriba emphasized that the children with disabilities are equally gifted with special talents which needed to be nurtured as any other child in society.
She described as unfortunate and an abuse of the children’s rights, when parents deny their disabled children access to education.
The CEO of DCAY Foundation noted that her NGO has come to ensure that all children especially those with special challenges are given the right support in a timely manner to enable them uncover their talents, gain their self-confidence and contribute to the development of Ghana.
Even though Ghana she noted is making some appreciable progress in protecting the rights of children, the Founder of DCAY Foundation cited instances where most parents with children with disabilities had refused to accept them as their own children and those who accept those children also ended up mistreating, hiding them in confined spaces and discriminating against them in the homes.
Madam Rita Kriba therefore called on all Ghanaians especially chiefs, parents and school authorities to learn to show respect, love and care to all disabled children so as to inspire their self-confidence, potentials and human dignity.
However, Madam Rita Kriba expressed appreciation to the management and staff of Sekyere Rural Bank, Kwabere Municipal Assembly, and her co-founders, Mr. Mark Acheampong and Moses Adeyo for their support towards her dream of helping the less privileged in the society.
Parents who attended the occasion were delighted and enlightened after the event, and assured to offer equal opportunity and encouragement with their children with disability.
Source: Modern Ghana