Abuse of disabled children in Ghana

Abstract

Even though disabled children are targets of various forms of abuse, such issues remain mostly undocumented open secrets in many countries including Ghana. The article is based on a qualitative data provided by three key informants. Six stories emerged from the data and are discussed in terms of four main forms of abuse. Labelling theories are employed to strengthen the discussions. The article is aimed at increasing awareness on the various forms of abuse experienced by disabled children in Ghana. The study is also meant to capture the attentions of stakeholders that have the responsibility to end abusive practices against disabled children in Ghana.

Keywords:

• disabled children
• labelling theory
• social abuse
• capital abuse
• physical abuse
• emotional abuse

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Mrs Salome Francois, Executive Director of New Horizon Special School, Accra, for her assistance in the research process. The study was partly financed by Harstad University College and Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Norway, and the authors are grateful to them for making this study a reality.