The Convention People's Party became the first political party to factor the visually impaired in their campaign for the December elections by producing a braille version of their manifesto.

Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, the flag bearer of the party, who disclosed this in an exclusive interview with the Daily Graphic yesterday, said the party was determined to lead

the way in showing commitment and sensitivity to persons with disabilities so that other parties could replicate the action.

He said the move was also part of the party's effort at ensuring that the Electoral Commission facilitated the involvement of persons with disabilities in the electoral process.

The Braille CPP Manifesto, which also includes the party's l0-point agenda for change, would be launched on Monday, September 1, 2008.

According to Dr Nduom, the president of the Ghana Association of the Blind (GAB) and the Physically Disabled would be speaking at the launch as they would have a stake in the efforts of the CPP.

The President of GAB would receive the first copy of the braille, and 250 other copies would be made available for distribution by the association to its members and subsequently, depending on demand, more copies would be made available.

Dr Nduom pointed out that the party was motivated to partner the physically challenged persons so as to bring them into the scheme of governance.

"Everywhere we go campaigning we have people who want to become part of the political process but they cannot because of the challenges they face," he stated.

According to Dr Nduom, the effort of the CPP was to fill a vacuum and demonstrate that the CPF was a party for every Ghanaian, and not only for those who could see, hear, talk or walk.

"We feel that in everything that you do you must make a statement for people in society who need to be acknowledged and brought in the mainstream of the society," he said.

He said the CPP campaign was going down very well with indications pointing to the fact that Ghanaians were yearning for a real change of government hence the CPP slogan of "Yere Sesamu" meaning "we are changing government".

He said wherever the party campaigned, Ghanaians told them the party had a great message and were capitalising on that to build membership as well as strengthen organizational prowess.

He said the party would storm Essikuma-Odoben-Brakwa Constituency in the Central Region tomorrow to continue with their campaign in the Central Region.


Source: Daily Graphic