Destigmatising Disability in the Ghanaian Society: A Social Model Analysis of Cultural Representation in Martin Owusu’s The Legend of Aku Sika.

Abstract:

There is a global issue of discrimination against persons with disabilities including the visually and hearing impaired and those physically challenged. In Ghana, systemic stigma persists despite advocacy and constitutional protections, arising from cultural beliefs and colonial legacies. This study examines the role of theatre in destigmatising disability within the Ghanaian society through critical analysis of Martin Owusu’s play The Legend of Aku Sika. It provides a lens to interrogate how narratives can challenge harmful stereotypes and reframe societal perceptions of disability. Utilising the social model of disability theory, it critiques exclusionary norms while advocating for inclusive futures. The study revealed that the play humanises disability through empathetic characterisation, cultural re-signification and communal redemption arches positioning literature as a catalyst for social transformation. It contributes to the discourse on arts-based advocacy in non-Western contexts and suggest culturally relevant strategies for achieving disability justice in Ghana.