By Albert Futukpor
Tamale, Nov 30, GNA – A day’s sensitisation forum for people with mental health conditions and their caregivers on how to effectively engage with political parties on their manifestos has been held at Hausa-Zongo, a suburb of Tamale.
It was to sensitise people with mental health conditions, especially in the Zongo communities, on voting procedures in the upcoming general election and how their caregivers could assist them in the process.
It was also to help build their capacity to meaningfully interact with the political parties on some of the issues affecting them and why the parties should prioritise their needs when voted into office.
The forum, organised by BasicNeeds-Ghana, an NGO, with funding support from STAR Ghana Foundation, formed part of the implementation of a three-year project, which seeks to ensure inclusive and accountable governance through capacity building of mentally ill patients and their caregivers.
Reverend Adam Dokurugu Yahaya, Head of Programmes at BasicNeeds-Ghana, at the forum, sensitised people with mental health conditions and their caregivers to effectively engage with their Parliamentary and Presidential Candidates on manifesto promises and policy pronouncements.
He said the initiative was also to ensure that people with mental health conditions and their caregivers participated peacefully in the elections without any form of violence.
Mr Lucas Yiryil, Northern Regional Director, Electoral Commission, who was the resource person, educated participants on the electoral processes as part of efforts towards minimising rejected ballots and ensuring peaceful and violence free elections.
He urged the participants to observe the necessary protocols at polling stations to avoid violence.
He said “Join the line, wait until it is your turn and go through the steps from the names reference list to the last ballot issuer, cast your vote and leave the polling station. You can come back in the evening to witness the counting.”
He urged them to seek clarification about any issue they might not understand to ensure that no voter was disenfranchised during the elections.
Madam Fuseini Ebada, a caregiver, who participated in the forum, commended BasicNeeds-Ghana, and STAR Ghana Foundation for the platform to enhance their effective participation in this year’s elections.
Participants expressed their preparedness to vote based on outcomes of their engagements with the politicians rather than selling their votes or voting based on sentiments.
GNA