The Ghana Blind Union is advocating equal opportunity in accessing political campaign materials as the country heads towards the polls on December 7.

The group says under no circumstance should members miss out on the election campaign euphoria.

During campaign seasons, political parties distribute flyers, t-shirts, cards, and other party paraphernalia.

But visually impaired persons usually miss out on these colorful party flyers and manifesto brochures.

The leaders of the various blind associations have therefore expressed worry about their exemption.

President of the Ghana Blind Union, George Kyeremanten said it is disturbing that only the NDC had their manifesto brailled.

“Their manifestos are not in braille, it was only the NDC who presented such to us. The parties should know that we are a part of the country and an equal opportunity should be given to us. They should put their manifestoes in an accessible format,” he said.

These concerns were raised during a donation of white canes by the Calvary Charismatic Centre (CCC) to the union, after journalist, Ivan Fumador together with the union started a campaign to get the canes for members.

Project lead, Ivan Fumador, said close to 5,000 people in the region are visually impaired and have no white canes to aid their movement.

A white cane allows its users to scan his or her surroundings for obstacles and is helpful for onlookers to identify the user as visually impaired.

Mr. Fumador advised drivers and other road users to respect the white cane.

“We would have been glad if we got the 4,700 canes to distribute to all the people in the region who have no access to them,” he said.

He also noted, “This would help make them more visible when on the streets so that drivers can identify them easily and handle them with the needed care.”

Head pastor of CCC, Pastor Ransford Obeng who donated the white sticks to the Ghana Blind Union also advised individuals to handle handicapped individuals with care and compassion.

He also cautioned the general public on the need to maintain the peace the country enjoys.

“I want to tell drivers, motor riders and other pedestrians that whenever you see a person holding a white cane, treat the individual with the needed respect,”

Elections and Peace

Reverend Obeng also used the occasion to advise leaders of political parties to preach peace to their followers while campaigning.

He said once the leaders have on various occasions professed to be Christians it was needful that they conscientize their followers to pursue peace.

“I want Ghanaians to note that we are a peace loving country. The legacy of peace God has given us is more precious than our gold and oil.”

The CCC leader said both the utterances and actions of leaders should show clearly that they are for peace ahead of the December 7 general elections.

He posited that once there were vulnerable people like persons with visual impairment everything should be done to prevent the occurrence or semblance of violence.

“I have heard the political heads professing to be Christians and that makes it binding on them to preach peace to their followers so that we as a people can guard the peaceful atmosphere we have in Ghana jealously even before the 2020 polls”, Rev Obeng urged.