Albinos in the country have made a teary appeal to Ghanaians to disregard the numerous myths about them and give them the chance to contribute their quota to national development.

The Executive Director of the Society of Albinos - Ghana (SOA-G), Mr John David Tuuyawanah, who is himself an albino, denied the twisted views that the public held about albinism.

He said some people wrongly held the belief that "albinism is the result of premature birth".

"They say we fly at night and do not attend to the call of nature on Fridays. We do not die, but vanish - and our bodies are good for ritual purposes," he noted.

"They make us feel bad and unwanted in society. Indeed, the public's misbehaviour towards us is tantamount to racism, which the SOA-G is prepared to fight till our last drop of blood," he claimed.

Mr Tuuyawanah asked the public to dismiss these myths, because they were entirely baseless and false. He explained that the misconceptions had almost dampened their spirit.

He said it was unfortunate and disheartening that people living with albinism were victimised, ridiculed, stigmatised and marginalised, and pointed out that albinos lacked equal opportunities in respect of jobs, health, marriage, among other things.

He said except General I. K. Acheampong’s government, which did "something little" for albinos, all past and present governments have done nothing for them.”

The executive director said SOA-G had on four occasions petitioned the government on a number of issues, but it had turned a deaf ear and blind eye to their cry.

"We would have gone onto the streets to fight for our rights, but the sun is harsh on our bodies. However, the society is planning to take some actions, which would surprise all," he stated.

On behalf of the members of the SOA-G, Mr Tuuyawanah criticised the government, the Department of Social Welfare and the public for marginalising them in virtually all socio-economic endeavours.

Mr Tuuyawanah reminded Ghanaians that albinism was not an infectious disease. He explained that it was simply the result of a lack of pigmentation in the hair, eyes and skin, "so we should be given equal opportunities.”

The SOA-G is registered at the Registrar General's Department and the Social Welfare, but he said the Social Welfare did virtually nothing to help their cause.

He said the SOA-G had given out treated eye-glasses, hats, and sun-screens to its members from its own resources to help protect their eyes and bodies from direct sunlight, which caused them a lot of discomfort.

The director also called on the government, individuals and corporate bodies to come to their aid. He urged the media to help the SOA-G to voice their problems to the government and the public at large.

Mr Tuuyawanah, who is also the Executive Director of the Pan-African Movement for People Living With Albinism (PAMPLWA), was hopeful that through the activities of the SOA-G, the public would appreciate albinos as part of ; the society apd not treat them as outcasts.

The SOA-G was established barely three years ago to correct the myths and misconceptions that people held about albinos and albinism. It currently has a membership of about 1,200 across the country.


Source: Mirror