By Rafiq Nungor ADAM
Farming is a challenging venture, requiring strength, endurance, dedication and commitment of financial resources. But imagine doing all of that with a missing leg.
In the rural community of Kunfabila in the Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region, a resilient farmer is breaking the barriers of disability, coupled with a relentless human spirit to overcome any obstacle he finds on his way to achieve greatness.
Today, we tell you the incredible and moving story of Gangariba Kpawuu, a man in his 60s who refused to let his disability define him by championing his own course of life. Gangariba has his own style of farming farm produce.
He sits to weed and grow his plants and uses the same method to harvest them. He is ever determined to provide for his needs of survival rather than resorting to begging in the streets for a living.
“Growing up, I developed a sore on my left leg. I tried all sorts of medications to cure it but it failed. I was not born with a disability. I was born with my two legs, but now I have only one. The leg got worse, and they took me to the hospital where it was amputated. When I had both legs, I used to farm large acres, but now I can only farm small plots,” he shared his experience with the B&FT.
He said that despite losing one of his legs, he could not just sit idle, as farming for a living has become a way of life for him. “I am so used to farming that I cannot just sit down doing nothing. My brother, who takes care of me, would be overwhelmed. The little I do helps the family. It has been more than 20 years since my leg was amputated. If I just sit down doing nothing, what will I even wear?”
Gangariba’s determination to provide for himself despite his disability highlights the importance of eradicating poverty in our society, which is Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1.
Gangariba Kpawuu is, therefore, appealing for support as age is catching up on him as he grows weaker and hopes for a different life away from his farm work and would instead prefer now to start a shop to be engaged in trading. “This year, I farmed maize, groundnuts, beans and soybeans. The maize covered two acres, but I farmed the rest based on my strength. Now, I am growing old and weaker and I cannot farm like I used to. What I need now is a shop to sell provisions by the roadside.”
SDG 8 highlights decent Work and Economic Growth, and Gangariba’s struggle to maintain economic independence emphasises the need for inclusive economic growth.
Gangariba uses crutches to move to his farm, struggling to get out there and sit on the ground to weed and harvest. He moves from one end of the farm to the other, just trying to keep body and soul together.
“I just sit on the ground to farm. While most people bend down to weed or harvest, I sit and do all of that. Now I am weaker, but I have no other trade, so I continue to struggle.” Groundnuts are typically uprooted by bending, but Gangariba sits down to uproot his. In the northern sector of Ghana, weeding is also done by bending down, but Gangariba does it while in a sitting position.
Gangariba lamented about how the recent long dry spell of the weather affected his farm work. “During the long dry spell of no rain, whenever I went to the farm, I always felt like crying because the crops were looking very bad. But we thank God the rains have come again and I know I will get something small from the farm.”
Kpawuu Saafari, a brother of Gangariba who is also a farmer with two wives, shared the story of how his brother’s condition has affected the family. “When he was strong, he used to farm alongside me. He stood on one side of the field while I worked on the other and together, we fed and took care of the family. Now that responsibility lies on me, though he still farms on a small plot. Because of his condition, he is not married.”
Saafari also appeals to well-meaning Ghanaians and organisations to come to his brother’s aid as he grows older and weaker. “I would like appeal to the public to help my brother. If they can get him a small shop by the roadside to sell provisions, that would be great. His room is also not in good shape, but I will try to renovate it.”
Benjamin Balangnuor, Gangariba’s step-son, recalls the efforts made to treat his father’s chronic sore before the amputation became necessary. “Growing up, we noticed he had a chronic sore, and we tried all kinds of remedies, but nothing worked. In the end, his leg had to be amputated. Because of his condition, he couldn’t marry and doesn’t have any child. Though we help him as much as we can, it’s still not enough.”
Balangnuor described how his step-father farms. “He sits on the ground to farm. When we ask him to stop, he refuses and says he can’t stop unless we find him something better to do. We are unable to get him a shop.” Balangnuor is also appealing to the public and the government for assistance, either materially or financially. “My heartfelt appeal is for any individual, organisation or the government to help our dear father. He needs material and financial support – everything a normal human being needs. But he’s been handicapped by his inability to work like a physically able person.”
In an interview, the Wa Municipal Social Welfare and Community Development Officer, Bio Gilbert, emphasised that the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme includes persons with disabilities. “The LEAP programme, from the outset, had people like those with disabilities in mind. These individuals are the most vulnerable when it comes to human behaviour and activities. Persons with disabilities are not excluded; they are part of the LEAP programme, and Mr. Gangariba Kpawuu is a potential beneficiary.”
Gilbert added that disability does not mean inability, and people should stop stigmatising those with disabilities. “Stigma is about our behaviour and perception. It is human beings who stigmatise others. Being disabled does not mean inability. There are disabled people who are doing better than able-bodied individuals in farming, business, education and other fields. Anyone can become disabled. Today you are able, tomorrow you might not be.”
He, therefore, joined others in calling on organisations and well-meaning Ghanaians to help Gangariba Kpawuu establish a shop by the roadside.
You can reach out to extend a helping hand to Gangariba Kpawuu through the reporter on [email protected] or 0549721797.
