Physically challenged must participate in governance
People living with disabilities have been called upon to avail themselves of opportunities in the upcoming district level elections in December.
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According to the Director of Voice of People with Disability Ghana (VOICE Ghana), Mr Francis Asong, that was the only way people with disabilities could fight inequality and also have a voice to address issues affecting them.
He admitted that even though it was a difficult task, people with disabilities must not dwell on their conditions but rather concentrate on what they could do to prevent them from being marginalised by society.
Mr Asong said these at a workshop that was held to validate a baseline survey data gathered from 45 communities in 10 districts in the Volta Region. The survey was on the participation of persons with disabilities in local governance.
The survey
The districts surveyed were Nkwanta North, Nkwanta South, Krachi East, North Dayi, Ho West, Central Tongu, Akatsi North, Akatsi South, Ketu North and Ketu South.
About 296 people living with disabilities were surveyed. They included 156 males and 140 females.
The survey report showed that majority of people with disabilities in the districts surveyed had no idea how local government functioned in their localities because they were not adequately represented.
The survey was part of an 18-month project undertaken with funds from the Open Society Institute for West Africa (OSIWA) to empower people with disabilities.
Support for interested people
In his address at the workshop, Mr Asong said people with disabilities who were interested in contesting the district level elections would be supported to achieve their aim and become the mouthpiece for other handicapped people in their localities.
He urged district assemblies to include disabled persons who were experts on committees of the assembly to give them the opportunity to contribute their quota to national development, since it would also motivate them.
Mr Asong, additionally, called on district assemblies to form disability caucuses that would promote their interests in the districts.
Discussions at the Workshop
Participants complained of their non-involvement in district assemblies’ activities. They also claimed that their views were not solicited in matters affecting them.
The participants collated their developmental needs which were to be compiled and sent to their respective assemblies so that they could be included in the millennium development plan.