Visually impaired persons unhappy about societal neglect

Cape Coast, Sept. 16, GNA - Some visually impaired persons living in the Central Region have complained about discrimination and other forms of maltreatment from family members.

Speaking at a Regional Convention of the Ghana Blind Union (GBU) in Cape Coast on Thursday, they said due to their disability, their relatives and members of the society treat them as outcasts and called for public education especially through the mass media to help reverse the situation.

The day’s convention, which was attended by about 100 members, was on the theme: “Learn the techniques for living with the visually impaired.”

Mr Kofi Ntin, a lecturer and resource person for the visually impaired at the University of Cape Coast, called on the society to show love towards the blind.

He said the visually impaired should also endeavour to lead normal, dignified and productive lifestyles in order not to become liabilities on their families and the society.

Mr Ntin advised them to take education seriously and send their visually impaired children to school, adding that a dignified and productive life required education.

The National Director of the GBU, Mr Peter Obeng Asamoah noted that the Union has a membership of more than 8,000 from about 100 districts across the country.

He said through the Danish International Development Association (DANIDA), the GBU is running community-based projects in phases in the regions, which are geared towards capacity building of its members.

He called on members to patronise the Union’s material resource centre in Accra where they can purchase Braille papers, computers and other vital needs.

Mr Kofi Kwakye, Regional Chairman of the GBU advised members to cultivate the habit of savings and investments.

He also reiterated the need for them to send their children to school and avoid negative vices such as alcoholism.