Persons with Disability Entrepreneurs and Business Association has issued a stern warning to the government. address their plight or face a boycott of the 2024 general elections.
At a press conference, National President Richard Offei expressed the frustration and disappointment felt by persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Ghana.
According to Offei, Ghanaians in leadership positions view PWDs as a burden, and this attitude is reflected in the country’s infrastructure and policies. He highlighted that almost all corporate buildings in Ghana are not disability-friendly, making it difficult for PWDs to access basic services.
The association is calling on all political parties to present their policies regarding PWDs at their upcoming event on November 6, 2024. Offei emphasized that PWDs feel neglected by the state and that there is no specific policy in place to integrate them into government thresholds.
This boycott threat is not unprecedented. Election boycotts have been used globally as a form of protest against unfair electoral systems, lack of representation, or inadequate policies. In this case, the Ghana Persons with Disability Entrepreneurs and Business Association is using its collective voice to demand change.
Alhassan Sullyman, Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Persons with Disability Entrepreneurs and Business Association, expressed disappointment and concern over the government’s denial of grants to persons with disabilities to support their businesses.
He noted that many individuals receive government grants without a clear business plan, while persons with disabilities are left disadvantaged.
Sullyman emphasized that the association, as an umbrella organization for persons with disabilities in Ghana, will take matters into their own hands if political leaders fail to respond to their invitation to the association’s launch. This call to action underscores the frustration and marginalization felt by persons with disabilities in Ghana.
Source: Oyerepafmonline.com / Bernard K Dadzie
