Three Ghanaian domestic airlines
have barred a physically-challenged Nigerian, Ndifreke Andrew-Essien from travelling.
One of the airlines had also refused to refund Andrew-Essien, a fellow of the
Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.
have barred a physically-challenged Nigerian, Ndifreke Andrew-Essien from travelling.
One of the airlines had also refused to refund Andrew-Essien, a fellow of the
Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.
The three airlines, Africa World Airlines, Antrak Air and Starbow Airlines told the Nigerian, who uses a wheelchair to move
around that she could not board the plane from Accra to Tamale because of her
condition.
around that she could not board the plane from Accra to Tamale because of her
condition.
“I live in Port Harcourt (Rivers
State) where I run a non profit organisation. I secured an internship with an
organisation in Ghana and I was posted to Salaga which is in the Northern
Province of Ghana. The route via air, is Port Harcourt to Lagos; Lagos to Accra
and Accra to Tamale. My flights were booked by an agent. On getting to the
domestic airport in Accra, I presented my ticket to the airline—Africa World
Airline— where my reservations had been made for the Accra-Tamale stretch, but
was called aside by the airline official who told me I would not be able to fly
with the airline.
State) where I run a non profit organisation. I secured an internship with an
organisation in Ghana and I was posted to Salaga which is in the Northern
Province of Ghana. The route via air, is Port Harcourt to Lagos; Lagos to Accra
and Accra to Tamale. My flights were booked by an agent. On getting to the
domestic airport in Accra, I presented my ticket to the airline—Africa World
Airline— where my reservations had been made for the Accra-Tamale stretch, but
was called aside by the airline official who told me I would not be able to fly
with the airline.
“He stated that the airline does not fly with
wheelchair-bound passengers, because they don’t have facilities for such a
purpose. I told them it wouldn’t be a problem as I had experienced the general
lack of facilities when it comes to persons with disabilites. I assured the
airline staff that I was ready to work with the airline despite its
inadequacy,” Essien said.
wheelchair-bound passengers, because they don’t have facilities for such a
purpose. I told them it wouldn’t be a problem as I had experienced the general
lack of facilities when it comes to persons with disabilites. I assured the
airline staff that I was ready to work with the airline despite its
inadequacy,” Essien said.
However, her entreaties were
rebuffed by the airline which she quoted as saying, “We don’t fly
wheelchair-bound passengers. It is not our policy.”
rebuffed by the airline which she quoted as saying, “We don’t fly
wheelchair-bound passengers. It is not our policy.”
The Nigerian said she was forced
to travel by road which took about 13 hours to her destination.
to travel by road which took about 13 hours to her destination.
“I do not intend this
(discriminatory policy) to stop me from achieving my aim. Persons with
disabilities are faced with all kinds of issues when it comes to inclusion.
This is a clear example of how, in the 21st century, Africa is still not
forward-thinking in building a continent for all its citizens.”
(discriminatory policy) to stop me from achieving my aim. Persons with
disabilities are faced with all kinds of issues when it comes to inclusion.
This is a clear example of how, in the 21st century, Africa is still not
forward-thinking in building a continent for all its citizens.”
Andrew-Essien said she was calling
on Africa World Airlines and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority to reverse the
discriminatory policy that prevents people living with disabilities from
travelling. She also called on them to provide necessary equipment to travel
with them.
on Africa World Airlines and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority to reverse the
discriminatory policy that prevents people living with disabilities from
travelling. She also called on them to provide necessary equipment to travel
with them.
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