The Coalition of Concerned Persons with Disabilities (CCPWDs) has called for an apology from John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), following comments they claim mock individuals who stammer. The coalition asserts that Mahama made these remarks while criticizing Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia during a recent campaign tour. The group believes that such comments are not only offensive but also perpetuate harmful stereotypes against people with speech impairments.
In a press release issued on Friday, August 30, 2024, and signed by Elias Kadeologo and three other representatives, the CCPWDs expressed their profound disappointment in Mahama’s remarks. They characterized the comments as damaging to the dignity of those who stammer and emphasized that the remarks reinforce negative stereotypes that could lead to further discrimination and public mockery of individuals with speech disorders.
The coalition pointed out that Mahama’s remarks were particularly troubling because they suggested that stammering is a sign of dishonesty. They highlighted that such a perspective is misleading and harmful, as stammering is a speech disorder that affects millions of people worldwide, including many in Ghana. The CCPWDs stressed that stammering has no correlation with a person’s honesty, intelligence, or competence, and they urged Mahama to reconsider his statements.
The controversy arose when Mahama, while discussing Dr. Bawumia’s media appearance at a party meeting in Ada on August 28, 2024, suggested that the Vice President’s stammering during the encounter indicated dishonesty. Mahama reportedly said, “You know how to tell when somebody is lying, people who are smooth talkers, who can speak rat-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta like a machine gun. The time when they become stammerers and they start stammering, you know they are lying.” These remarks, according to the CCPWDs, were not only insensitive but also an unfortunate misrepresentation of individuals with speech impairments.
In light of these comments, the CCPWDs have urged Mahama to issue a public apology to those affected by his remarks. They believe that as a prominent public figure, Mahama has a responsibility to promote understanding and inclusivity rather than perpetuating harmful stereotypes. The coalition also called on all political leaders to be mindful of their language, especially when discussing issues related to disabilities, to avoid further marginalizing vulnerable groups in society.
