The Hope for Future Generation (HFFG) foundation is advocating for the promotion of positive disability language.
This is as part of the implementation of the Social Behaviour Change Communication and Stigma Reduction for Mental Health and Disability Inclusion intervention under the Ghana Somubi Dwumadie project by HFFG and the PsykForum.
Speaking at the project Close-out meeting of all stakeholders and contributors to the project, Director of Programmes at HFFG, Nancy Ansah Cobbah says the use of positive disability language mitigates stigma and help the disabled easily bond within society.
“Now we don’t refer to people with disability with the disability and call them the disability. They were also named at birth and deserve the rights to be respected” she cautioned.
“Many people were not aware what they were doing was stigma and had the capability to put these people in mental health issues, but through this project people are now using positive languages”, she touted.
Admonishing abled persons not to stigmatize against persons living with disability and mental health issues, she also emphasized the need to lend support to these groups as there is a thin line between the abled and disabled.
The Ghana Somubie Dwumadie(Ghana Participation Programme)is a four- year disability programme in Ghana, with a specific focus on mental health.
The programme was run by an Options led consortium, which also consists of Basic Needs-Ghana, Kings College London, Sight Savers International and Tropical Health. HFFG and the PsyKForum as a consortium, was awarded a grant from Ghana Somubi Dwumadie to promote mental health and disability inclusion in Ghana.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Edem Kojo
