“Make Election 2016 convenient for us”- Federation of Disabled
Mr Yaw Ofori Debrah, the President of the Ghana Federation of the Disabled (GFD), has urged the stakeholders of the 2016 General Election “to make it more convenient” for People with Disabilities (PWDs).
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At a workshop in Ho, he said inclusiveness of PWDs in developmental issues had become a global phenomenon and Ghana could not be left behind.
Mr Debrah said many actors in the decision-making processes had paid lip service to the issue of disability and most policies developed, had not made adequate provisions for PWDs.
He said 2016 was yet another election year where political parties and the relevant stakeholders were developing manifestos and activities to engage the populace, declaring, “This is an opportune time for the disability movement to make critical input that may inform the development priorities for the next four years and beyond.”
Mr Debrah urged the Electoral Commission to make provisions for PWDs by providing tactile jackets for the visually impaired, accessible screens, polling stations and booths for wheel chair users and other persons with physical disabilities.
He also asked the Information Service Department (ISD) and the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to ensure that information and materials for sensitisation and education were in accessible formats-Braille and large prints - for the disabled.
Mr Nuhu Mahama, the Deputy Regional Director, Electoral Commission, said the Commission was making provisions for PWDs.
He said they were engaging stakeholders on regional basis to ascertain how best the Commission could help PWDs.
Mr Mahama advised PWDs to always draw the attention of electoral officials if they needed any help.