How to resolve AdBlock issue? Andrew Nii Okaikwei Criticizes Exclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Ghana's Special Voting Arrangements
Wednesday, 04 December 2024 | Ghana
The Founder of the Centre for Disability Entrepreneurship and Public Policy, Andrew Nii Okaikwei, has expressed disappointment that persons with disabilities (PWDs) have been excluded from Ghana’s special voting arrangements for the upcoming elections. In an interview on the AM Show on Joy News on Wednesday, December 4, Okaikwei emphasized the need for inclusivity in the country’s democratic process and underscored that free and fair elections should guarantee the right of all individuals, including PWDs, to participate fully.
Okaikwei explained that the exclusion of PWDs from the special voting arrangements reflects broader challenges in ensuring that polling stations and other aspects of the election process are accessible. According to him, accessibility issues, whether physical, technological, or social, often prevent PWDs from fully exercising their civic rights. He also noted that other barriers, such as poverty, play a significant role in limiting their ability to vote.
"Accessibility of polling stations, voting technologies, and other aspects of the process can greatly impact the ability of PWDs to vote. Barriers can be social, political, physical, or economic. Poverty and disability’s impact on voter participation is well documented," he stated.
While acknowledging that Ghana has made strides in addressing some of these barriers, Okaikwei argued that more needs to be done. He pointed out that many public spaces, including polling stations, remain inaccessible to PWDs, and even where ramps or lifts have been installed, they are often inadequate for wheelchair users. “We’ve come far, but we could’ve done better. Some public places are still inaccessible to PWDs, and where ramps or lifts exist, their wheelchairs often fail to meet international standards. Efforts have been made, but implementation has been lacking," he said.
Despite these concerns, Okaikwei commended political parties for including disability policies in their manifestos but stressed that these promises alone are insufficient. He called for concrete actions, emphasizing that "the most important thing is implementation. We look forward to seeing their commitments become reality."
Okaikwei also reflected on a recent dialogue between his organization and the Electoral Commission (EC), where the inclusion of PWDs in special voting arrangements was discussed. He pointed out that such inclusion would have been a clear demonstration of Ghana’s commitment to inclusivity and making voting easier for PWDs. "It would’ve been fantastic and made voting easier for them. It’s about showing our commitment as a country to addressing disability issues," he remarked.
To ensure PWDs are not left behind on election day, Okaikwei assured that his center had taken proactive steps to assist them. His organization has partnered with various disability groups, including the visually impaired, hearing-impaired, and physically disabled, to provide education and election guidelines. "We have a team on the ground, particularly in areas like Awutu-Senya, to support PWDs. The EC has also assured accessibility on election day, but more could have been done," he concluded.
Okaikwei explained that the exclusion of PWDs from the special voting arrangements reflects broader challenges in ensuring that polling stations and other aspects of the election process are accessible. According to him, accessibility issues, whether physical, technological, or social, often prevent PWDs from fully exercising their civic rights. He also noted that other barriers, such as poverty, play a significant role in limiting their ability to vote.
"Accessibility of polling stations, voting technologies, and other aspects of the process can greatly impact the ability of PWDs to vote. Barriers can be social, political, physical, or economic. Poverty and disability’s impact on voter participation is well documented," he stated.
While acknowledging that Ghana has made strides in addressing some of these barriers, Okaikwei argued that more needs to be done. He pointed out that many public spaces, including polling stations, remain inaccessible to PWDs, and even where ramps or lifts have been installed, they are often inadequate for wheelchair users. “We’ve come far, but we could’ve done better. Some public places are still inaccessible to PWDs, and where ramps or lifts exist, their wheelchairs often fail to meet international standards. Efforts have been made, but implementation has been lacking," he said.
Despite these concerns, Okaikwei commended political parties for including disability policies in their manifestos but stressed that these promises alone are insufficient. He called for concrete actions, emphasizing that "the most important thing is implementation. We look forward to seeing their commitments become reality."
Okaikwei also reflected on a recent dialogue between his organization and the Electoral Commission (EC), where the inclusion of PWDs in special voting arrangements was discussed. He pointed out that such inclusion would have been a clear demonstration of Ghana’s commitment to inclusivity and making voting easier for PWDs. "It would’ve been fantastic and made voting easier for them. It’s about showing our commitment as a country to addressing disability issues," he remarked.
To ensure PWDs are not left behind on election day, Okaikwei assured that his center had taken proactive steps to assist them. His organization has partnered with various disability groups, including the visually impaired, hearing-impaired, and physically disabled, to provide education and election guidelines. "We have a team on the ground, particularly in areas like Awutu-Senya, to support PWDs. The EC has also assured accessibility on election day, but more could have been done," he concluded.