Two siblings, Fulera Yahaya, 18 years, and Ibrahim Yahaya, 16 years, both with disabilities in Koforidua, Eastern Region of Ghana are defying all odds including lack of disability friendly education environment, and assistive devices, to pursue their dreams of becoming graphic designer, and bank Manager respectively.
“I want to be a jeweler or a graphic designer,” said Fulera.
“I want to be a bank manager because I never see a disabled man who is working in a bank, so I want to become a bank manager so that I can set history for those who are unborn”, stated Ibrahim.
Fulera, a Form Three Visual Arts student of Oti Boateng Senior High School in Koforidua, is determined to pursue her dream, but the lack of disability-friendly infrastructure and assistive devices making her journey a difficult task.
“When I come to school, I don’t eat plenty. I know food that will eat which will not disturb my stomach. I don’t drink plenty of water either because I can’t go out to visit the Washroom. I am unable to do many things on my own because I don’t have the right devices and helpful environment”, Fulera lamented.
Ibrahim Yahaya, a bright pupil of Koforidua Ada Kyeremanten Basic School “B” also with big dreams, faces similar challenges.
“When I am. Coming to school in the morning, I face so many challenges on my way. I can’t come without support unless my colleagues carry me up the stairs before I enter the classroom. So I mostly come late”.
Ibrahim’s malfunctioning hands make writing a struggle, and the rocky environment adds to the difficulty of his daily commute.
“When I am writing I am unable to write fast because when I go fast they can’t see it well. My hands have been shaking and so many things”. Ibrahim lamented.
Yahaya Issah, father of the two siblings has shouldered the burden of supporting his children’s education, but the family’s limited resources are stretched thin.
“When they were born and were about to walk, we noticed they were all struggling to walk. So, we sent them to various places, including hospitals and other centers. We even went to Sampa. But yet they couldn’t walk so I decided not to confine them I the room but send them to school. I found wheelchairs and have been pushing them to school. For Fulera, I have rented a Tricycle to send her to school while I push Ibrahim to school. Now we need help financially and also wheelchairs all the wheelchairs have spoilt”.
Hilda Dompeh (Ibrahim’s Teacher) is concerned these children are brilliant and determined, but the system is not designed to support them. They need assistive devices and a more inclusive environment to thrive.
“He has challenges getting to school. The road from his house to school is not all that good, so he mostly comes to school late when classes have started, so mostly, he doesn’t catch up with the lessons that are being taught”.
