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.
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.
“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.
“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,” Andrew-Essien told SUNDAY PUNCH.
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.”
The Nigerian said she was forced 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.”
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.
All efforts made to
speak to the airlines and Ghana’s CAA proved abortive as emails sent to
them were not replied.
