Criminalize derogatory slurs against us-PWDs to CRC

Persons with disabilities across Ghana are calling on the Constitutional Review Committee to amend the 1992 Constitution to explicitly criminalize the use of offensive terms such as “Mumu” and “Tokunɔ.” These words, they argue, are not just insensitive—they strip them of dignity and perpetuate discrimination.

During a public engagement held in Ho on Thursday, July 10, 2025, disability rights advocates made a strong case for linguistic justice, urging lawmakers to outlaw slurs that have long wounded the community.

“For us, these are not just insults. They are scars that society repeats daily,” one advocate expressed.

A hearing-impaired attendee, choosing to remain anonymous, spoke of the persistent communication challenges faced in critical public institutions.

“It’s exhausting,” he said. “At hospitals and police stations, we’re left out because there are no interpreters. The Constitution must make it mandatory for these institutions to accommodate us.”

He stressed that discrimination runs deeper than hurtful words—it's institutional. The absence of sign language services in key sectors continues to deny many access to healthcare, justice, and protection.

Another voice, this time from a woman living with a physical disability, highlighted the financial burden of assistive tools. She called for tax relief on essential items like white canes and wheelchairs, which many cannot afford due to high import duties. She also pointed out the persistent inaccessibility of public buildings, despite the Disability Act having been passed over a decade ago.

Responding to these concerns, Professor Henry Kwesi Prempeh, Chair of the Constitutional Review Committee, admitted that while the Constitution affirms the rights of persons with disabilities, enforcement remains weak.

Referencing Article 29 of the Constitution—which mandates “special facilities” in education, justice, and other public services—he noted that even Parliament has failed to lead by example, with its own offices largely inaccessible.

“The law says the right things,” he said, “but the problem lies in making those rights real. We must add deadlines for enforcing these rights—otherwise, they remain promises, not protections.”

The Ho session marked the fifth stop in a nationwide constitutional review tour, gathering insights from disability organisations, youth and artisan groups, civil society, journalists, security agencies, and members of the public.