Ghana Journalists Urged to Champion Disability Rights

Dr. Harrison Kofi Belley, Chairman of the Volta Regional Chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association, has urged media practitioners to promote inclusion and defend disability rights. He made the call during a Regional Media Capacity-Building Workshop on Disability-Inclusive Reporting for Journalists in Ho. The workshop was themed "Effective Media Reporting on Disability: Promoting Economic Justice and Inclusion through Responsible Journalism." Dr. Belley emphasized that society can be built where disability is not a basis for discrimination but an opportunity to demonstrate humanity, compassion, and commitment to equality.

The workshop is part of the European Union-funded project, Strengthening the Capacity of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities for Promoting Inclusion in Ghana. The project is being implemented jointly by the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations, the Mental Health Society of Ghana, and the Africa Disability Institute. Dr. Belley noted that inclusion for persons with disabilities begins when we change our attitudes, continues when we remove barriers, and succeeds when everyone has an equal opportunity to participate. He emphasized that the media is uniquely positioned to shape public opinion, influence policy, challenge discrimination, and transform communities.

Dr. Belley highlighted the power of the media to promote accessibility and equal opportunities, contributing to a more inclusive society. He called on stakeholders to work collectively towards building an inclusive society where persons with disabilities are valued for their abilities, contributions, and potential rather than being defined by their disabilities. Dr. Belley urged society to ensure that no one is excluded, silenced, or denied opportunities on the basis of disability, stressing the need to promote equal participation and dignity for all persons.

Mr. Francis Asong, Executive Director of the Africa Disability Institute, noted that media reporting significantly shapes public perception of persons with disabilities. He observed that disability reporting is often characterized by stereotypes, sensationalism, pity, and charity-based narratives, which portray persons with disabilities mainly as recipients of assistance rather than citizens, professionals, entrepreneurs, leaders, innovators, and contributors to economic development. Mr. Asong emphasized that disability should not be viewed merely as an individual condition but as an issue influenced by environmental, institutional, social, and attitudinal barriers.

Mr. Asong stressed that reporting on disability should go beyond impairment and personal circumstances to examine the policies, systems, and practices that either facilitate or hinder the participation of persons with disabilities. He expressed hope that the workshop would help improve disability reporting across newsrooms, broadcast stations, online publications, and other media platforms. Mr. Asong urged journalists to make use of the Positive Disability Terminology Guide and Checklist as practical reference tools in their daily professional work.

Madam Elikplim Afua Klu, Regional Director of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations, identified barriers to financial inclusion for persons with disabilities, including inaccessible banking halls and Automated Teller Machines, incompatible digital platforms, communication barriers, and discriminatory lending and insurance practices. She urged journalists to highlight services that are accessible to all customers and monitor the effectiveness of interventions designed to support persons with disabilities. Madam Klu encouraged the media to track programs such as the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty and the National Health Insurance Scheme.

The media can play a critical role in promoting disability rights and inclusion by adopting positive disability terminology, recognizing the achievements and agency of persons with disabilities, and providing platforms for them to express their views. Journalists should avoid sensationalizing the experiences of persons with disabilities and instead focus on promoting equal participation and dignity for all persons. By working together, stakeholders can build a more inclusive society where persons with disabilities are valued and empowered to contribute to national development.

Key points

• Dr. Harrison Kofi Belley calls on journalists to promote inclusion and defend disability rights.
• The media has the power to shape public opinion, influence policy, and challenge discrimination.
• Journalists should adopt positive disability terminology and recognize the achievements and agency of persons with disabilities.