Save the Eye Foundation Ghana has taken a strong stance for peaceful elections, organizing a National Disability Peace Walk today, October 30, in Accra.
The foundation led the peace walk with a large number of individuals with disability from various regions across Ghana, all united in calling for peace ahead of Ghana’s upcoming general elections scheduled for December 7, 2024.
Participants began the peace walk at the Ghana Blind Union Rehabilitation Centre in Asylum Down, proceeding to Accra Technical University, then onward to the Accra Metropolitan Assembly’s office, with a final stop at the National Theatre, before returning to the rehabilitation center.
Patience Offei, Executive Director of Save the Eye Foundation Ghana, highlighted the challenges people with disability face during election periods. “Peace” was the central message of the campaign, but Offei also addressed the significant lack of accessibility that prevents many individuals with disability from exercising their right to vote. She appealed to the government to ensure these citizens have the ability to participate fully in the elections. “Persons with disability in Ghana are always found indoors; they are barely seen at polling stations because these areas are not accessible to them. People see them and get frustrated when they’re allowed to cut the line. At a time like this, we plead with the Electoral Commission to ensure that peace prevails in the nation,” Offei stated.
National Accessibility Ambassadors Elvis Kosi Alipui and Eric Badu, who organized the walk, emphasized to happyghana.com the importance of peace to individuals with disability. They warned of the serious consequences if Ghana’s peace is compromised, noting that people with disability would be particularly vulnerable.
“The minor conflicts within Ghana’s political space are often how wars and instability begin in other African nations. If we, as persons with disability do not call for peace now, things could worsen. When that happens, we would have nowhere to go; everyone would run for their lives and leave us to our fate,” said Elvis Kosi Alipui.
“Weak people cannot build a nation; disabled people cannot build a nation. It takes strong individuals to build a nation. If we allow conflict to take over these elections, it will only add to the number of people already disabled, leaving Ghana with fewer capable individuals to build the nation. We need peace,” Eric Badu stated.
Participants and patrons ended the walk with an aerobics session at the forecourt of the Ghana Blind Union Rehabilitation Centre, successfully closing the campaign for peaceful elections.
By: Kobina Baidoo
