Ghana to host conference for the blind in 2011

Accra, Oct. 7, GNA - Stakeholders in the upcoming conference for the blind on Wednesday organised a familiarisation visit to Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), the venue for the conference scheduled for July 3- July 8, 2011. The visit was to ensure the suitability of GIMPA and its readiness to host the more than 400 blind and partially sighted world-wide, who would participate in the conference.

Addressing the stakeholders, Dr. Aubrey Webson, Co-ordinator of Institutional Development Programme, an organisation which caters for the well being of the blind in the United Kingdom, said the main focus of the impending conference would seek to deliberate on how best to make technology accessible to the blind.

"As the name depicts. 'Techshare Africa' would enable participants brainstorm on how best to make technology easily accessible to the blind and the partially sighted and other issues pertaining to the blind in society," he said.

Dr. Webson said recommendations from the conference, which is the fifth since its inception in 1996 would be made available to the African Union, which had adopted the programme to be implemented in all African states and other countries. He mentioned Sight Savers International as another sponsor of the programme.

Mr. Yaw Ofori Debrah, President of Ghana Association of the Blind congratulated Ghana for her ability to win the bid to host the conference and pledged the association's support for its success. He appealed to the government to implement all recommendations of the conference for the benefit of the blind and the partially sighted in the society.