Nkoranza (B/A) April 25, GNA - Mr. Godfrey Yuopor, Headmaster of Shalom Special School for the mentally handicapped at Nkoranza in Brong-Ahafo has appealed to the general public to regard people with disabilities, particularly the mentally handicapped, as equal human beings.

Speaking to newsmen about challenges facing the school, Mr. Yuopor explained that it was not the fault of any individual to be born disabled but that it was rather society that created such disabilities through negative practices.

He cited the practice by some pregnant women who refuse to seek antenatal care at clinics and resort to self-medication, which, he said, was a major cause of disabilities among children.

Mr. Yuopor mentioned poor nutrition of some pregnant women, excessive intake of alcohol and drug abuse among some nursing mothers. "It is a constitutional mandate for all children to be offered equal and quality education and as such, it is wrong for parents with disabled children to hide them at home", the headmaster stressed. The headmaster stressed the need for the public to enroll their mentally handicapped children in special schools to be trained to acquire skills with which to lead meaningful lives.

Mr. Yuopor said the 10 year old school has 97 inmates but expressed regret that their parents did not show concern for their development as some parents felt their absence was a relief to them. He advised such parents to disabuse their minds of such wrong perception and give attention to their disabled children.