Saturday, October 24, 2009

Blindness organization in Ghana says drivers must be educated about what white cane means

From the Ghana News Agency:


ASAMANKESE, Ghana -- The Eastern Region celebration of the International White Cane Awareness Day has been celebrated at Asamankese with advice to the sighted to show love and affection to the blind and assist them in what ever way possible.

Mr George Adjei Mensah, Eastern Regional Chairman of the Ghana Association for the Blind, said when given orientation, the blind could move easily in their environment.

He said a person with a white cane should be assisted by society to find his way around.

Mr Mensah appealed to the Ghana Private Road Transport Union to educate drivers on the white cane.

Mr Benedict Abekah Botwe, Senior Field Officer of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) said the blind was entitled to be trained or retrained to become useful to society.

He said there were special incentives for the blind and other disabled persons to engage in some business or enterprise.

Mr Botwe said the blind or any other disabled person should be appointed with the same terms as person without disability, if they work even for shorter hours.

The Presiding Member of the West Akyem Municipal Assembly promised that the assembly would faithfully release part of the common fund meant for the disabled.