This was not intentional – Akufo-Addo begs disabled people to "metaphor" blind and deaf

General News of Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Source: ghanaguardian.com

2019-02-05

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo apologized to people with disabilities for her comment at a political protest held in the constituency of Ayawaso West Wuogon Tuesday, January 29, 2019.

Emphasizing his credentials, President Akufo-Addo said that people who deny the progress of his government are just blind and deaf.

In response, members of the Ghana Federation of Disabled People's Organizations called the president's statement "derogatory" and called on him to retract and apologize.

Nana Akufo-Addo on Sunday, February 3, 2019 in a publication on Facebook apologized to people with disabilities and described her statement as a "political metaphor".

The message said: "In the face of comments I made at the last rally before the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election, which was won by the NPP MP candidate, I am happy that the Ghana Federation of Disabled People Organizations recognize that it was a "political metaphor". I did not have the intention to hurt the disabled, and I would never do it, and hope that they know it.

"There has been a government that has sided with people with disabilities, that is my government. We have increased the share of the District Assembly Common Trust Fund to persons with disabilities from 2% to 3% and we have also implemented our commitment to employ 50% of the people who manage the country's toll booths. among the disabled. . I apologize for any unintentional remark of the "political metaphor".