Mrs Stella Abrokwa-Antoh, Gender and Disability Desk Officer at the Electoral Commission (EC), has stressed the need to involve the physically challenged in the democratic process to exercise their franchise without intimidation or hindrance.

She said this would boost their confidence as Ghanaians and encourage them to fight for policies that would improve on their lives.

Mrs Abrokwa-Antoh made the call at the opening of a two-day awareness creation workshop on Electoral Process in Kumasi on Wednesday.

It was organized by the Electoral Commission for members of Ghana Federation for the Disabled in the middle belt of the country.

Participants were drawn from Ghana Association of the Blind, National Association of the Deaf, Association of the Physically Disabled, Parent/Teacher Association of the Intellectual Disability and Association of Albinos.

They would be taken through topics such as the Electoral Commission, the Stakeholder, Democracy and Conduct of Elections.

The workshop was to create awareness on various stages of the electoral process, create an opportunity for the disabled to overcome challenges they face in electioneering activities.

It would also strengthen the knowledge base of the disabled to be strong advocates on election issues and offer opportunities for the disabled to air challenges they face during elections.

Mrs Abrokwa-Antoh said the Gender and Disabled Desk was established to co-ordinate the implementation of cross-cutting issues under the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) with respect to the election process.

She called on the physically challenged to take the workshop serious, to serve as role models and urged politicians and their supporters to avoid acts of violence, harassment and intimidation at polling centres.

Mr John Amihere, Manager of Electoral Commission Training Centre (ECTC), urged the participants to adhere to rules and regulations of the electoral process.

He assured them that every physically challenged person of sound mind and 18 years and above was eligible to exercise his/her franchise in Election 2008.


Source: GNA