The Ghana Federation of the Disabled (GFD) on Tuesday called on the National House of Chiefs (NHCs) to as a matter of urgency initiate programmes to sensitize chiefs and traditional rulers to change outmoded customs and traditions to meet the needs and aspirations of modern society.
The Federation called for holistic approach to ensure chiefs are re-oriented to understand the role of chieftaincy in modern society to help protect the institution.
Mr. Yaw Ofori-Debrah, GFD President said in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in reaction to assertion by some chiefs who are against the nomination of Dr. Henry Seidu Daannaa, a visually impaired, as Minister-Designate for Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs.
Mr Ofori-Debrah said the physically challenged community was shocked about the public pronouncement of the chiefs saying, "in these modern times of rule of law and high technology, one expected our revered chiefs to despise those customs and traditions that impede social development and not instead take entrenched positions to condemn a capable personality from serving the nation due to physical challenges".
Mr. Ofori-Debrah said it was shocking for an enlightened person occupying a traditional seat, like the chief of Seikwa, Nana Kwaku Dwomo Ankoana II, to say the "appointment of a person living with disability was denigration of the sacredness of the chieftaincy institution".
He called on the National House of Chiefs to impress upon the Seikwa Chief to withdraw the statement and offer unequivocal apology to people living with disability, saying "our rights are protected under the constitution which is supreme to any customary or subsidiary law in Ghana.
"Persons with disability have the requisite expertise and knowledge that could be tapped for national development and nothing should be done to deprive such people with their birth right, Mr. Ofori-Debrah said.
He said Dr. Daannaa has over 17 years experience in the public service and visited many chiefs and places across the country that needed commendation and not condemnation.
He urged Dr. Daannaa to put off his best to serve as agent of change in the attitude of people towards people living with disabilities.
However, he said, such criticism was not going to demoralize the Federation in its continual quest to fight social and economic justice for its members.
He commended the NHCs for supporting the appointment of Dr. Daannaa, adding "more importantly recognizing his competence and contributions to national development.
"Given the development coming from a chief there is the need for the NHCs to institute programmes directed at reorienting its members to eschew traditional practices that impede social progress.
"Rather, traditional rulers should applaud acts and practices that contribute to societal growth and unity", Mr. Ofori-Debrah said.