Ghana joined the rest of the world to celebrate World Cerebral Palsy day on Friday the 6th of October this year.
The day is marked globally on the 6th of every year by a movement of people with cerebral palsy (CP) and their families, and the organizations that support them, in more than 60 countries. Its vision is to ensure that children and adults with CP have the same rights, access and opportunities as anyone else in our society.
The celebration in Ghana, which took place on Friday was coordinated by a group of nongovernmental organizations who have come together to form the Cerebral Palsy network, a network that aims to champion cerebral palsy issues in Ghana.
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The organizations include the Special Mothers Project, an advocacy and awareness creation programme on cerebral Palsy, SWEB Foundation, an NGO working with persons with disabilities, Sharecare Ghana, an association for people with autoimmune diseases, Multikids Foundation, an NGO championing inclusion, CP Awareness Ghana, The Presbyterian Health Services – Inclusive Child Development programme and some individuals committed to the cause of persons with disabilities in Ghana.
Robyn Cummins World CP Day Manager explains: “Cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability in childhood and is also one of the least understood. There are over 17 million people living with CP and 350 million family, friends and supporters who care about them.”
In Ghana the day was commemorated with a public forum which talked about cerebral palsy and the need for policies that would enhance the lives of persons living with cerebral palsy.
The celebration was on the theme: “We Move together: Inclusion Now”
Government officials, members of parliament, policy makers and other dignitaries were present to have firsthand information and interaction with children and adults living with cerebral palsy.
An inspirational book titled “The Unexpected “that chronicles a mother’s journey of a child with cerebral palsy and how she has risen above that to inspire others was launched.
Earlier in the day, flyers with information on cerebral palsy were distributed to commuters using the main Okponglo road in Accra.
Ms. Jedidiah Abanga, Coordinator of the Inclusive Child Development Programme of the Presbyterian Health Services said the CP Network in Ghana has designated October as the Cerebral Palsy awareness month and urged members of the network to share related information on social media throughout the month.
