We feel ignored by political parties - disability groups

It’s almost approaching that month of the year when Ghanaians go to the polls to elect both president and parliamentarians. The various political parties are busying themselves criss-crossing the countryside, meeting with both ordinary and elite voters, selling to them their ideas with the hope of getting their mandate to rule. Both the NDC and CPP flagbearers have already met members of the Association of Ghana Industires (AGI) where they outlined their party’s vision should they be given the nod. The remaining parties are also expected to meet with the AGI to present to them their vision.

With less than eight months before the general elections and almost all the parties still fine tuning their manifestos before making them public, members of the Ghana Society for the Physically Disabled say they feel marginalised by the various candidates contesting for the available positions because they are yet to hear any of them raise the numerous challenges confronting them.

National Administrator of the association Alexander Tetteh told dailyEXPRESS his outfit has been monitoring closely, the movements of the various parties across the country and “none of them has mentioned the issue of disability.” He said persons with disability constitute 10% or more of the country’s population and yet, they are always on the margins of the country’s development.

“We are part of the citizens and we are going to vote,” he said

According to Mr. Tetteh, members of the association would like to see the varioius parties wanting to be elected into office come out and tell them what exactly they would be doing for them. He said members of the association would like to hear the various candidates tell them about how they intend to address the issues of education, unemployment, access to transportation and provision of medical care, that continue to be key challenges to most disable persons in the country.

“There should be a road map which addresses our concerns,” he told the dailyEXPRESS.

Mr. Tetteh said members of the association are more than prepared to vote in this year’s elections, and urged his colleagues to participate actively in the electoral process because it’s their civic responsibility. He also advised his colleagues not to engage in any acts that will create disturbances in this year’s elections.

Alexander Tetteh also appealed to the various political parties to desist from using foul language in their campaign, saying the developmental challenges confronting Ghanaians requires a party that has the commitment and welfare of the citizenry at heart.

Mr. Alexander Tetteh who was at the launch of the simplified version of the disability book by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, said it is important for people to know that disabled persons are equally intelligent and could do so much when given the opportunity. He expressed disappointment that most of his colleagues are on the streets begging for alms.