Experiencing Disability Stigma in Ghana

Magnus Mfoafo-M’Carthy; Jeff Grischow; Festus Moasun

doi:10.5771/9781666905816

Summary

Experiencing Disability Stigma in Ghana: Impact on Individuals and Caregivers explores the roots of disability stigma and discrimination in Ghana as well as the social and economic impact of discrimination on individuals with disabilities and their caregivers. Magnus Mfoafo-M’Carthy, Jeff Grischow, and Festus Moasun present interviews from individuals with disabilities, and caregivers faced with the burdens of caring for their loved ones. The inclusion of caregivers is particularly important, because very few studies have presented their voices despite the burdens they face alongside individuals in their care. The interviews addressed the socio-economic consequences of disability and/or mental illness in Ghana for individuals and their caregivers, the implications these consequences have for the practice of social work in Ghana, and the public policy implications of this research. This book provides new and insightful data and analysis through rich and detailed firsthand narratives of lived experiences and offers recommendations for enhanced policy and practices to reduce stigma and improve the lives and livelihoods of Ghanaians with disabilities.

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Bibliographic data

Copyright year: 2024
ISBN-Print: 978-1-66690-580-9
ISBN-Online: 978-1-6669-0581-6
Publisher: Lexington, Lanham
Language: English
Pages: 154
Product type: Book Titles

1. Contents No access
2. Acknowledgments No access
3. List of Abbreviations No access
1. 1. Stigma: Definitions and Parameters No access
  2. Disability Stigma in Africa and Ghana No access
  3. Research Methodology No access
  4. Outline of the Book No access
  5. Note No access
2. 1. Introduction No access
  2. Disability in Africa during the Precolonial Period No access
  3. Disability in Colonial Ghana No access
  4. Disability in Independent Ghana Ⅰ: Education, Welfare, and Charity, 1950s1970s No access
  5. Disability in Independent Ghana Ⅱ: From Welfare to Disability Rights, 1980–2008 No access
  6. Conclusion No access
  7. Notes No access
1. 1. Introduction No access
  2. Culture and Its Characteristics No access
  3. 1. Ghanaian Disability Terminologies No access
    2. Ghanaian Proverbs and Disability No access
  4. Indigenous Beliefs about Impairments and Disabilities No access
  5. 1. Stereotypes No access
    2. Myths No access
  6. Conclusion No access
  7. Notes No access
2. 1. Introduction No access
  2. Culture, Disability, and Mental Illness No access
  3. 1. Belief in God No access
    2. Leaving Everything to God and Accepting Mental Illness as Destiny No access
    3. Dependence on God No access
  4. Support from Institutionalized Religion No access
  5. Conclusion No access
  6. Note No access
3. 1. Introduction No access
  2. Disability Stigma and Discrimination in the Scholarly Literature No access
  3. 1. Accidents No access
    2. Medical Illness or Disease as Causes of Disabilities No access
    3. Spiritual Causes of Disability No access
    4. Understanding Stigma and Discrimination No access
  4. 1. Labeling and Name-Calling No access
    2. Denial of Right to Marry No access
    3. Stereotypes as Unconscious Bias against Persons with Disabilities No access
  5. 1. Experience of Disrespect No access
    2. Abuse and Neglect of Persons with Disabilities No access
  6. Conclusion No access
4. 1. Introduction No access
  2. Stigma and Discrimination against Family Members and Caregivers of Persons with Disability No access
  3. 1. Social Exclusion and Loss of Friends No access
    2. Labeling and Name-Calling No access
  4. Marriage-Related Stigma and Discrimination No access
  5. Family Members and Caregivers’ Experiences of Indirect Stigma and Discrimination No access
  6. Witnessing the Disrespect for the Personhood of Relatives with Disabilities No access
  7. Witnessing the Labeling and Name-Calling of Relatives with Disabilities No access
  8. Witnessing Relatives with Disabilities Face Challenges with Finding Marriage Partners No access
  9. Impact of Disability Stigma and Discrimination on Family Members and Caregivers No access
  10. 1. Feelings of Pain, Sorrow, and Sadness No access
    2. Isolation and Loneliness No access
    3. Frustrations No access
  11. Overbearing Care Responsibilities No access
  12. Mechanisms Adopted by Family Members and Caregivers to Cope with Disability Stigma and Discrimination No access
  13. Accepting the Situation as Part of Their Fate No access
  14. Leaving It to God No access
  15. Comparing Their Situation to Others That Are Worst No access
  16. Conclusion No access
  17. Note No access
1. 1. Introduction No access
  2. Ups and Downs of Doing Disability Research in Ghana No access
  3. The Disability-Poverty Nexus No access
  4. Culture and Belief Systems as the Bane of Disability Experiences No access
  5. Beliefs about Mental Illness Constitute Severe Barriers to Inclusion No access
  6. Policy Gaps Have Negative Implications for Persons with Disabilities and Their Families No access
  7. Kinship as the Main Motivator for the Care of Persons with Disabilities No access
  8. Conclusion No access
Conclusion No access Pages 125 - 128
References No access Pages 129 - 146
Index No access Pages 147 - 152
About the Authors No access Pages 153 - 154