Physically challenged calls for sign language interpreters at registration centres

Physically challenged people in the Volta Region on Wednesday complained about the lack of sign language interpreters to help them in the biometric voters registration exercise.

The situation is therefore discouraging the deaf and dumb from registering.

These concerns were raised at a day’s sensitisation seminar on the Biometric Voters Registration for the physically challenged in Ho.

It was organised by the Ghana Federation of the Disabled with support from the Electoral Commission (EC).

They said, no Ghanaian should face discrimination during a serious exercise such as the Biometric Voters Registration and asked the EC to rectify the anomaly.

Mr Dogbe Selormey, Regional Deputy Director of the EC said, the anomaly was because of the limited number of sign language interpreters in the country.

He therefore appealed to families and friends of the deaf and dumb to accompany them to the registration centres and help them to register.

Mr Selormey said, registration officers received special training to assist people living with physical limitations to go through the registration processes.

He said, persons with physical disabilities are to be excused from being in queues for long periods.

Mr Selormey urged such people to seek assistance to overcome the challenges they face.

Mr Frederick Ofosu, Programmes Manager for Ghana Federation of the Disabled, also called on families of physically challenged people to encourage them to participate fully in the registration exercise.**