Ms Abigail Nutakor, Head of Gender and Disability at the Electoral Commission (EC), has said Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) can be successfully incorporated in all phases of the electoral process.She urged PWDs to endeavor to perform a variety of roles beyond exercising their franchise.

Ms Nutakor, at a day’s seminar organised by Sharecare Ghana for PWDs to ensure full their participation in the upcoming elections, said: “people with disabilities can be a powerful voting bloc and must ensure that they exercise their voting rights.”

She said the EC has put in place measures to ensure that PWDs exercise their franchise without any hindrances.

Nana Akwasi Awuah, a legal practitioner, said voting is a civic responsibility and it allows them to have a say in policy formulation.

“Exercising your franchise also helps you to contribute to policy formulation especially those that affect you personally,” he said.

Nana Awuah urged PWDs to offer themselves up for election saying, “Your disability does not hinder you from becoming an MP for your area.”

Ms Patience Akoni, another legal practitioner, who spoke on addressing challenges faced by Persons With Disabilities on Election Day, said: “When faced with obstacles do not keep quiet, query for support from the presiding officer, they are there to support you.”

Mrs Rita Kyeremaa Kusi, Executive Director of the Ghana Federation of the Disabled, said the Federation was working to submit a list of inaccessible centres for changes to be made before the voting day.

She urged PWDs to also report to their district offices if they notice any challenges with a particular voting station before the day of voting.


By Ghana Leaks Blog