The Ghana Association of the Blind (GAB) has called for the promulgation of a law backing the use of the white cane to safeguard and protect the interest of the blind.

The absence of such a legal backing puts the lives of the blind at risk as motorists and pedestrians have little or no regard for them, thus rendering their movement on the roads, very difficult.

Ben Domache, Upper West Regional chairman of the GAB, made the call here on Saturday to commemorate the introduction of the White Cane Day to remind the public of the need to regard and show concern for the blind in the streets.

Mr. Domache said that although the white cane was introduced in 1981 to facilitate the movement of the blind in the streets, it has not made the desired impact because of the absence of the legal backing resulting in the blind being treated with contempt and disrespect by other road users.

"We feel intimidated and our lives are threatened by the conduct and treatment metted out to us by other road users," he stated.

Mr. Domache therefore called on the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice to introduce a bill in Parliament on the use of the white cane for consideration and passing into law.

The Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare, Lawrence Azam, urged the blind and the visually impaired to use the white cane to facilitate their movement.

He appealed to drivers and other road users to respect the right of way of the blind to save them from avoidable accidents.

Source: The Ghanaian Times