The disabled threaten not to vote in 2000 election

By J. W. Dadson, Cape Coast

Accra - About 450 registered members of the Central Regional branch of the Ghana Society for the Physically Disabled have threatened not to register and vote in the 2000 presidential and parliamentary elections.

They charged that a promise by the MP for Cape Coast, Miss Christine Churcher to cause an amount of ?2 million from her MP's common fund some six months ago to assist them to establish some income generating ventures had been sat on by the Cape Coast Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) and the Cape Coast Municipal Assembly, (CCMA).

Speaking to the Chronicle in an exclusive interview here last Thursday, the regional chairman of the society, Mr. Michael Ocran, regretted that since the first week of October, last year, that the MP gave the promise and conveyed the message through writing to the CCMA, members had been tossed up and down like outcasts.

Mr. Ocran said before the appeal was made to the MP for financial assistance, the society had applied to the CCMA for the government's Poverty Alleviation Fund, but were denied that facility.

The regional chairman observed that "but for our inability to walk on the streets, we would have jumped onto the streets to register our protest against the CCMA and the NDC government for their disregard for the disabled in society", he stressed.

According to the regional chairman, some of the members of the society have been living at the mercy of people for survival hence it was decided to embark on poultry and other ventures such as tie and dye, shoe making, basket weaving and door mats to generate fund for the upkeep of members.

Mr. Ocran further lamented that the disappointment coupled with frustrations of members had made them suspect that the government of the NDC has no interest in ensuring their survival.

He, however, warned that as a result of the disappointment meted out to them, "we will neither register nor vote in the 2000 general elections "because we realise that the government does not recognise us as human beings who should be given equal treatment like our able- bodied brothers and sisters", he emphasised.

Present at the interview was Mr. Kwesi Nidley, Public Relations Officer of the society.