Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations Meets Electoral Commission to Discuss Accessibility for Upcoming Elections.

Accra, Ghana – May 3, 2024 – The Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) held a productive meeting with the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana on Friday, May 3rd, at the EC headquarters.

The GFD delegation was led by Madam Rita Kusi Kyeremaa, Executive Director of GFD.

The meeting focused on discussing proposals for improved inclusion and accessibility for persons with disabilities during the upcoming December 2024 general elections, building on those implemented for the 2020 elections. The meeting also discussed the voter registration exercise to be conducted from 7th to May 27, 2024.

Key Discussion Points:

Following up on a discussion held between the GFD and the Electoral Commission in 2023, the following issues were highlighted;

Data segregation on disability- providing data on total number of registered voters with disabilities, including various impairment categorization.

accessibility of Polling Stations – ensuring polling stations are physically accessible for Persons with Disabilities, Accessible Voting Equipment – providing assistive technologies for voters with various disabilities, Accessible Voter Information – delivering voting materials in accessible formats like Braille, large print, audio recordings, and sign language.

Immediate Commitments of the Electoral Commission (EC):

The EC committed to the following;

1. Collaboration with GFD and the disability community: The EC acknowledged the challenges faced by persons with disabilities during registration and voting and committed to working collaboratively with the GFD as a strategic partner to enhance accessibility.

2. Inclusive Communication: The Electoral Commission pledged to include sign language interpretation during press conferences and awareness activities ahead of the voting process in December 2024 to improve accessibility for the deaf community. Competent sign language interpreters would be hired to provide the service.

3. Staff Training: The EC will include disability as a component for the training of its officers for the election

4. The EC will issue a press release to their field staff as a reminder for more attention to be paid to disability inclusion during the registration process commencing May 7th, 2024. This press release, among other things will:

– Raise awareness of needs of different categories of persons with disabilities.

– Emphasize prioritizing assistance for Persons with Disabilities during the registration process.

– Inform persons with disabilities about their rights to special attention at polling stations.