Programs Manager for the Ghana Blind Union, Bismark Amoh, has emphasized the need for full inclusion of persons with disability (PWDs) in Ghana’s electoral process.
According to him, doing this will highlight the importance of equal participation in civic duties and the need to remove barriers that limit accessibility for individuals with disability.
He mentioned some challenges PWDs face with Ghana ‘s Electoral process, Mr. Amoh said “Often more than not, polling stations and electoral activities are performed at places not easily accessible to persons with disability. I have witnessed situations where people had to climb stairs to access the electoral commission’s office just to get their names corrected or perform other activities around registration of voters among others”.
Bismark noted that, including practices such as providing accessible polling stations, assistive technologies, and adequate training for electoral staff on handling the needs of PWDs are essential to ensure fair representation in democracy.
He asked for fair and equal treatment for persons with disability during and after the election process.
“Most people argue that persons with disability should not be allowed to vote so they treat us with disrespect and their attitude towards us is not acceptable which should not be tolerated so we are just asking to be treated with more respect and compassion and also be fully included in the election process” he emphasized.