The Ghana Federation for Disability Organizations (GFD) is demanding assurance that none of their members will be caught up in electoral violence in the pending December 2024 elections.
The federation says it is haunted by the 61 chaotic incidents recorded during the 2020 elections which resulted in the killing of eight people in Odododiodio and Techiman South constituencies.
These concerns were passionately articulated by the President of the GFD Joseph Atsu Homadzi at the commemoration of International Day for Persons with Disability held in Kumasi.
“If people are firing guns, where do I run to when I am a blind person or using a wheel chair.in the last elections, violence occurred at the polling stations.”
So when I come to vote and people start fighting, throwing stones, throwing batons, where do I run to?” he asked,
The GFD further questioned the preparedness of the Electoral Commission to ensure that no Person With Disability faces challenges accessing the polling stations and participating independently in the right of secrecy of vote, as required by the constitution.
EC Assurance
Allaying the fears, Ashanti Regional Director of the Electoral Commission Francis Osei Nsia assured that adequate provision has been made to ensure the accessibility and safety of all polling stations across the country.
“I want to assure our brothers and sisters here that our polling stations are absolutely going to be violence free. It’s a very peaceful environment and you will go to the polling station and come home intact. You will not even lose a nail. Let alone a finger,” he reassured.
Lawyer Francis Osei Nsia explained that while adequate tactile jackets have been provided for the visually impaired electorates, all polling stations will by rule, be situated in a place that will be accessible to anyone with a mobility challenge.
He further indicated that Presiding Officers have been adequately trained to offer fair and impartial assistance to any person with disability who would require support to partake in the voting process.
Leadership and Inclusion
The theme for this year’s IDPD, “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future” is germane as Ghana goes to the polls to elect the country’s next crop of leaders.
President of the GFD Joseph Atsu Homadzi argued that Persons With Disability still face significant discrimination in the appointment and election of persons for leadership positions.
“While God has equally granted us the potential and abilities to lead as ministers, chief directors, heads of schools, community leaders, members of parliament and assembly members, the public keeps sidelining our members just because we are persons with disability,” he bemoaned.
Joseph Atsu Homadzi further took it out hard at the state for its grave complicity in disregarding provisions in the Persons With Disability Act 715 which requires that public buildings be made disability friendly.
He advocated for the speedy adoption of proposed amendments tabled to make Ghana’s Disability Laws consistent with the United Nations Convention on Persons With Disability.
Embrace Inclusion
The Akyempenhene of Asante Asokore Nana Osei Appiah Kubi who chaired the commemoration condemned the cultural and social stereotypes that continue to hinder the inclusion of Persons With Disability.
Making reference to once strong and abled persons who now require wheel chairs and other assistive devises as a result of old age, disease and accidents, he invited the public to be conscious of the fact that anyone could acquire a disability.
This year’s celebration of the International Day for Persons With Disability was shifted from its conventional December 3rd date to accommodate the electoral calendar of the country.
The commemoration took particular notice of the global concern of climate change and inclusive disaster preparedness, drawing inspiration from the difficulties, neglect and risks suffered by persons with disability, during the Akosombo Dam Spillage which caused colossal havoc and displaced thousands in the Volta and Eastern Regions of Ghana.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Ivan Heathcote – Fumador
