End superstition, stigma against persons with disabilities – Inclusive Family Alliance

The Founder and Executive Director of the Inclusive Family Alliance, Hannah Awadzi, has called on Ghanaians to abandon superstitious beliefs and discriminatory attitudes towards persons with disabilities, saying such perceptions continue to drive exclusion and inequality.

Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra, Mrs Awadzi stressed that disability should not be associated with curses or bad omens, noting that anyone could become a person with a disability at any point in life.

“So as a society, we need to change our attitude towards Persons with Disabilities because you do not know the next step that will make you a Person with Disability,” she said.

According to her, transforming public perceptions is critical to building a more inclusive society, explaining that meaningful policy reforms and greater opportunities for persons with disabilities can only be achieved when societal attitudes improve.

“Taking out superstition is the first step. When attitudes change, policies and opportunities will follow,” she said.

Mrs Awadzi further noted that progressive societies deliberately establish systems and programmes that support persons with disabilities, urging Ghanaians to recognise inclusion as a collective responsibility rather than the duty of a few.

She said the Inclusive Family Alliance continues to engage institutions, organisations and communities through advocacy initiatives aimed at promoting positive perceptions of disability and encouraging greater acceptance of persons with disabilities.

Mrs Awadzi added that the organisation also works closely with parents of children with disabilities by providing information and creating safe spaces where families can seek guidance and support without fear of stigma or discrimination.

Encouraging the public to seek knowledge instead of relying on misconceptions, she urged Ghanaians to ask questions and better understand disability rather than making assumptions.

“One of the things that we do is get people to change how they think about disability. If you do not understand, ask. Don’t assume,” she said.