MEPs call for government intervention for people with albinism

GAPA member twins,

John MAJISI, MP for Krachi-Nchumuru, appealed to the government through the ministries of Employment and Labor, Gender, Children and Social Affairs to help streamline the needs of people with albinism.

According to him, people with albinism have the right to life, security, and the right not to be subjected to torture and ill-treatment.

He added that people with albinism have been discriminated against, including the right to quality education and access to good health care services, among others in the country.

This, he said, the two departments involved in joint education and awareness campaigns could help fight the superstitious and stigmas badociated with albinism.

Mr. Majisi made this appeal in a statement to Parliament on the occasion of the celebration of International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD), which is held on June 13 of each year.

International Albinism Awareness Day has been proclaimed by the United Nations to help disseminate information on albinism.

The theme of this year's celebration is: "Still strong," said the legislator of Krachi / Nchumuru, the Ghanaians, and in this regard, the government has a moral and constitutional responsibility towards the ACP.

People with albinism are born with a conbad disorder characterized by the total or partial absence of melanin, a pigment that gives color to the skin, hair and eyes. Others say it is a non-contagious medical condition that affects all racial and ethnic groups in the world.

Nevertheless, Majisi called for the implementation of the Five-Year Plan of Action against Albinism in Africa (2017-2021) to combat the growing number of violent attacks and human rights violations. of the ensuing human against people with albinism in sub-Saharan Africa, with Ghana in the lead.

Dehumanization is the worst expression of discrimination against people with albinism, "which lays the groundwork for horrific physical aggression against them," pointing out that this is due to the fact that many people thought they were magical beings or ghosts, they mutilate kill them so that their body parts can be used for sorcery rituals.

While mobilizing fellow MPs through the Parliamentary Committee on Social Welfare to work with the Ghana Association of People with Albinism (GAPA), he also commissioned GAPA to raise awareness about albinism, in particular, issues of concern are expanding, including the creation of branches nationwide.

In his view, this would greatly contribute to their education, awareness and empowerment activities reaching more people with albinism.

Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, MP for Ledzokuku, said that albinism is a disease that affects every human being as a generic cell, but only that some homeowners are not exposed to people with albinism and called for full support for people with albinism, describing them as "a minority group that needs the help of all".

According to Dr. Oko Boye, most people with albinism were depressed simply because society at large regarded them as strange human beings and that, as a result, the public should be educated and sensitized.

He reiterated his calls for affirmative action for people with albinism by registering them freely with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and also helping them access quality education. because some seem smarter than those without albinism.