A network of journalists on Tuesday asked the Ghana Federation of the Disabled (GFD), to increase its presence in the Upper East and Volta regions to protect children with disabilities from abuse.
The Ghana Chapter of PROMOAFRICA, that promotes the right of persons with disabilities, which made the request in Accra, said children with disabilities in the two regions are at risk of being subjected to harmful practices and all forms of violence.
The network tasked the GFD to strengthen and increase advocacy and awareness on the human rights of children with disabilities through information, education and outreach programmes.
Presenting a report on the findings of the exposure of Human Rights Violations against Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) at Kassena- Nankana and Nkwanta South districts, Executive Secretary of the Network, Marian Amponsah, said denying the youth with disabilities education should be a thing of the past.
With support from the GFDs Flex-fund under a Danish International Development Agency project, the Chapter is implementing a project titled: "Exposure of Human Rights Violation against Persons with Disabilities, with the objective to bring to light, violations in the two regions and shape public image about the PWDs to make them more visible in the society.
The findings said the phenomenon of the "spirit child syndrome" in the Upper East fuel the belief that children with disabilities are evil and cursed and should therefore be killed.
Ms Amponsah said the belief had denied most children with disabilities the access to education and therefore urged the GFD to advocate the establishment of special schools for them.
She said the report asked the GFD to work with the district assemblies and non-governmental organisations to eliminate and address the negative practices that hinder the progress of the children.
Ms Amponsah said findings on persons of short stature or midget also revealed that they had fewer opportunities in education, lacked self esteem, employment, social lifestyles and relationships.
The President of the network, Mr Seth Addi gave the assurance that the organisation would ensure that disability issues and stories gained prominence and positive reportage in the local and international media.
Mr Joseph Adu-Boampong, First Vice Chairman of GFD expressed satisfaction about the report, considering the quantum of money allocated to the network.
Mr Charles Appiagyei, National Administrator, Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled asked the media to help fight the cause of PWDs by giving prominence to their course.