Maxwell Peprah Opoku

Access to employment in Kenya: the voices of persons with disabilities

Abstract Introduction: Unemployment is one of the major challenges facing persons with disabilities worldwide. Persons with disabilities experience significantly high rates of unemployment compared with the general population, and are often employed in low-paid jobs. This could indicate a missing link in identifying employment opportunities and impeding factors to the opportunities. This study examined access to employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the Nairobi County in Kenya. Method: An exploratory study design, using qualitative methods, was conducted with three categories of persons with disabilities: the physically disabled, the visually impaired, and the hearing impaired. A convenient sampling was used to recruit 30 participants from five constituencies in Embakasi in the Nairobi County. Findings: The study found that access to employment for persons with disabilities in the study area was limited. Factors responsible for the high unemployment include inaccessible information on employment, negative attitudes, inaccessible physical environment, low educational attainment of persons with disabilities, and ineffective legislation on employment. Conclusion: The lack of employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in Kenya suggests that poverty reduction among persons with disabilities will be difficult. Therefore, efforts should be made through implementation of effective policies to remove barriers hindering access to employment for persons with disabilities in Kenya.

Lives of persons with disabilities in Cameroon after CRPD: voices of persons with disabilities in the Buea Municipality in Cameroon

Abstract Introduction: The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) has been touted as a major breakthrough towards achieving equal rights for persons with disabilities. The promulgation of the convention provided clear guidelines for signatory countries to revise their legislation as well as to formulate policies that will take into consideration the needs of persons with disabilities. As Cameroon is a signatory to the convention, it is expected that disability-friendly policies have been implemented to enhance the living conditions of persons with disabilities. This study examined, from the perspectives of participants, the life experiences of persons with disabilities in the Buea Municipality 7 years after Cameroon signed the CRPD. Methods: The study adopted a qualitative method, involving focus-group discussions with 36 participants from three disability groups: hearing impaired, visually impaired, and physically impaired. Findings: The study found that persons with disabilities in the Buea Municipality faced many challenges in their daily endeavors. These challenges are a result of a lack of inclusive policies, leading to their exclusion from social and economic activities such as education, employment, and healthcare. Conclusion: Although the study is limited in scope, the findings suggest that persons with disabilities in the Buea Municipality were yet to benefit from the CRPD. It is, therefore, suggested that the government of Cameroon should formulate inclusive policies to address the numerous challenges facing persons with disabilities in the Buea Municipality.

The impact of Boko Haram threat on economic activities in Cameroon: perceptions of people in Yaoundé

ABSTRACT Terrorist activities impact on the rights of people as they undermine the ability of people to enjoy their right to life, liberty and fundamental freedoms. In addition to the human cost, the activities of terrorists can destabilize governments, peace, security and economic activities. Therefore, this study explores the impact of threat of attacks from Boko Haram on economic activities – exploring current realities in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon. The study was a cross-sectional design which collected data using interviews to explore the impact of terrorism on economic activities in Yaoundé. In all, convenience sampling was used to recruit 51 participants. The result of the study found that economic activities have been affected due to perceived increase in taxes, low production and restriction in the transportation of some goods, early close down of shops, limited customer activities due to fear and rampant security checks. It is therefore embedded on government to institutionalize measures such as making conscious efforts to develop the Extreme North so as to bring the region at pair with other parts of the country in order to curtail terrorist activities in Cameroon.

Terrorism in the Lake Chad Region: Integration of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons

ABSTRACT The Lake Chad region is an intersection of four countries, namely Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria, and Niger, and has been a battleground of terrorism in recent years. While much is known about the devastating impact of the activities of Boko Haram, there is a dearth of empirical research on how individuals displaced by terrorism in the Lake Chad region have been integrated into new communities. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the experiences of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) regarding their integration into new communities in the Lake Chad region. The study adopted a qualitative design, that is, interviews and focus group discussions, to interact with participants from nine communities in Cameroon and Nigeria. Sixty-seven participants consisting of refugees, IDPs, host community leaders, and camp leaders were recruited to share their experiences. The study found similarities in the experiences of refugees and IDPs. Specifically, the study found that common identity (i.e. common culture and languages) enhanced social connection, safety, and integration of the refugees and IDPs into new communities. However, little has been done in terms of job creation, to enable refugees to have a source of livelihood, access to property, and essential services. The study has implications for policy-making in terms of governments in the Lake Chad region capitalizing on common identity and developing employable programs which will revitalize the economy of the region.

The accessibility of health services to young deaf adolescents in Ghana

Quality health care is a fundamental human right, which is enshrined in several international and domestic legislative instruments. In the Ghanaian context, there are reports that adults with disabilities encounter barriers in their attempts to access health care. However, scholarly attention is yet to explore the perspectives of young people and adolescents with disabilities. Therefore, this quantitative study was conducted from the perspective of critical disability studies, where young deaf adolescents (YDAs) were regarded as right bearers, and where they shared their perspectives on health accessibility decisions, barriers, and needs. Sixty-seven participants, made up of 44 male and 23 female students, took part in this quantitative study. Although many YDAs who took part in this study indicated that it was not difficult to access health facilities, they claim to have encountered communication barriers. Sign language interpreters in health facilities and introduction of sign language courses in health training institutions to improve communication between health professionals and deaf patients have been suggested as ways of addressing the barriers faced by YDAs in Ghana.

Psychological experiences of refugees and the response of the community in the Lake Chad region

ABSTRACT The Lake Chad region, which is an intersection of four countries, namely Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria, has been a major battleground of violence and terrorism. Poverty is prevalent in the region – a situation which it has been argued is one of the factors accounting for the successful operation of Boko Haram. In the midst of limited economic activity, it is important to understand the psychological impact of the insurgency on the lives of displaced persons who have resettled in new communities. Sixty-seven refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) were interviewed from nine communities in Cameroon and Nigeria. Participants have been psychologically affected by loss of relatives and property, and even by displacement from their homeland. Also, limited economic opportunities in the region has manifested in an inability of the people to have access to income generating activities. The host communities have, however, provided support to the participants by accepting them as equal members of the society, and concerted efforts have been made to integrate them into the community. The study has implications for policy-making, in terms of governments and international partners exploring ways to create economic opportunities, so as to advance the lives of displaced persons in the region.