THE DIRECTOR of the Ghana Blind Union, Dr. Peter Obeng Asamoah, has expressed disappointment in government and other political parties for being uninterested in issues regarding disability.
According to him, Ghana is a progressive nation and more is expected of the leaders because most of them have gained international exposure and know what is happening elsewhere when it comes to disability issues.
Dr. Asamoah revealed that within the district and municipal assemblies for instance, government appointees are making it difficult for persons with disability to access the District Assembly Common Fund meant for their welfare.
“Some districts willingly give this portion meant for persons with disability, while other districts don’t give at all,” he stated.
Speaking to the DAILY HERITAGE in an interview, Dr Asamoah said records from the 2012 general election shows that more than 9,000 people voted through the ‘tactile jacket system’ which means persons with disability are actively involved in decision making.
He said the ‘tactile jacket’ is a special system which allows the blind to vote independently and secretly without anybody’s help. The system is like a card with indications on it where the ballot paper is placed for the blind person to feel and choose a candidate he or she wants to vote for.
Dr. Asamoah added that the union is collaborating with the Electoral Commission to train and educate blind persons by using the regional and district offices.
Projects for 2016
The director said the union is looking at establishing community based rehabilitation centres in Brong Ahafo, Eastern and Volta Regions and consolidate new districts, especially, at Kajebi and Tain to seek the welfare of blind persons.
He stated that the union will focus its attention on ratification of the Marrakesh Book Treaty, an international treaty which gives the blind person the right to access published works without the permission of the publisher or the authority which is currently in parliament for approval.
Dr. Asamoah added that the union is looking at the implementation of the all-inclusive education policy which has just been accepted by the government. He revealed that the union is poised to establish more branches around the country to add to the 150 out of the 216 districts in the country.
Sports
He said the union is focussed on developing the sports wing and train towards international competitions.
Education
On education, he said the union is currently urging educational institutions to admit blind persons because out of the 39 Colleges of Education in the country only three give admission to blind persons.
“What we are advocating for this year is that at least one college in every region should be able to accept blind teacher trainees and we are targeting the Tertiary Education Council, the Ministry of Education and the colleges themselves so that they can make that available for us,” he said.
The director said the union is also talking to the West African Examinations Council to make the examination more transparent and more effective because “We feel some of our members don’t get a good deal.”
Challenges
Dr. Asamoah revealed that the union has engaged the various rural banks in the country to give credit facility to blind persons because blind persons are as credit worthy as sighted people.
“The banks have been very hesitant in giving credit facilities because perhaps they don’t know how to handle disability people. But, we have been able to open this up and prove to them that we are also credit worthy.”
On provision of white canes for the disabled, the director said the union was severely limited because government does not support the provision of white canes and it is the union which imports the materials from China, but because of the cost involved it becomes more difficult for people to buy.
He said the white cane is an essential tool and a first step to independence for the blind because it aids movement and serves as indication to the outside world.
He said when you compare Ghana to developed countries such as United States of America, United Kingdom and others on disability issues, Ghana is way behind.
He revealed that what the Ghanaian blind person needs is opportunity and chance; “We don’t want to be seen as liability in society; we want to be regarded as assets in our country in order to contribute our quota.”
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