NO TAXIS ALLOWED

Everybody has a right to access and use of public places. Impliedly, every area and facility open to the public should be open to persons with disabilities (PWDs) as well.. We have equal rights to be able to enter and make use of public facilities just like anybody else.

In fact, the 1992 Constitution article 35(3) and (6) (c) makes it explicitly clear, the responsibility of the state to provide access to public places and services, and free mobility of people and goods throughout Ghana. Furthermore, the Persons with Disability Act 2006 - Act715, even broaden the scope of coverage of accessibility in Sections 1,2,4,6 and 7.

The first step to solving the problem of accessibility is to have a clear understanding of what public places are. Once these are identified, it will then lead to the formulation of the right policies to achieve universal accessibility. Here are some examples of public places:

public footpaths and walkways
parks, public swimming pools and public toilets
educational institutions
office blocks
shops and department stores
banks
cafes, restaurants and pubs
theatres and entertainment venues
libraries
sporting venues, social and sporting clubs
public transport and aeroplanes
Hospitals and government-run services.
After determination is made of which places qualify as public, laws should then be enacted to ensure that:

Public places have an accessible entrance and interior

Disability access to facilities in public places, for example wheelchair-accessible toilets, lift but-tons, tactile and audible lift signals for persons with vision impairment are within reach

Persons with disability can access all public areas of a premises and not just a segregated area with a facility

All necessary information is made available to users of premises in an accessible format, for example signage, labels, directions and instructions.

Public places must be made accessible to persons with disabilities regardless of whether access to the premises is free or not. This applies to existing premises, as well as premises under construction.

Paradoxically, all public places in Ghana are constructed or fitted out in ways that make them inaccessi-ble to persons with disabilities, excluding them from opportunities that other members of the public enjoy. As if that is not enough, these buildings have 'NO TAXIS ALLOWED' posted all over their entrances. This by-law invariably means that everybody must own a private car or be capable of renting private hire vehicles (PHVs).

Ghanaians need some bit of education here: How did the phrase (NO TAXIS ALLOWED) come about, who promulgated it and for what purpose? A PWD picks a taxi (what we call in Ghanaian parlance dropping), to a public place, say the Ministries. As the taxi approaches the entrance of the Ministries, there is this 'MONSTER' starring at you called; 'NO TAXIS ARE ALLOWED.' Meaning the taxi has to drop you off right at the entrance. Meanwhile, from the entrance of this place where the taxi drops you off to the block you are visiting, is even farther away than from where you pick the taxi to this entrance. And no amount of pleading - not even the crutches under your armpit nor the white cane in your hand will let this security man grant the taxi passage.

What is even most intriguing is that; it doesn't matter how rickety a private car looks, it is allowed passage, but you can go to hell if your vehicle has a yellow colour attached to it. It could even be a RANGE ROVER EVOQUE - NO WAY. What kind of unreasonableness is this? Somebody must explain to me why this 'tradition' must be allowed to continue. I can bet my last coin that these security guys denying taxis entry to these public places don't even know how this by-law came about, let alone the purpose it is supposed to serve, yet they enforce it with their last drop of blood and won't let you be.

I believe the course of this country would be better served, if they exerted the same amount of energies enforcing the sanitation by-laws.

One other thing that is strikingly unconventional and far-fetched is the refusal of taxi drivers to pick my wheel-chaired colleagues when they need their services. This is so abhorrent and dehumanizing, and makes one feel as though one had the chance to choose between walking on their two feet and using the wheelchair for mobility and the latter was chosen.

Word must get to public transport operators that, they have the same duties as any other service provider as far as disability discrimination is concerned. This means they must not treat PWDs less favourably than they would treat a person who isn't disabled.

Taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) are a vital link in the accessible transport chain and since they offer some kind of comfortability to persons with disabilities more than the others (Trotros), my thinking is that, part of the core duties of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), must be to routinely visit their various stations, to educate them on their responsibilities towards PWDs, relative to their work.

I remember when London was about to host the 2012 Olympic Games. Taxis and cars were banned permanently from Edinburgh Waverley Station as part of anti-terrorism measures. But officials installed a plan for persons with disabilities and the elderly to the effect that their movements were not hindered. This is a serious country that takes disability issues seriously and makes provision for persons with special needs, no matter the situation.

This 'GARGANTUAN MONSTER' of 'NO TAXIS ALLOWED' impedes accessibility, especially to PWDs and either must be taken off completely, or taxis carrying PWDs must be exempt from its effect / enforcement.

We must, as a country emulate the bold and pragmatic steps taken by countries like the UK, Denmark, the USA etc. to create laws that enhance universal opportunity and accessibility to all persons, especially PWDs - moving forward, than this forbiddingly outmoded, colonial, backward and discriminatory by-law that segregate society, rather than sediment it.

Disability is a determinant of poverty, discrimination, reduced access to education, transportation, employment and healthcare, and everybody knows this by now. Ghana has a responsibility to change our attitude towards disability, and promulgate laws that will inure to the benefits of PWDs. The quest for equality of opportunity and accessibility cannot continue to remain a mirage.

We understand these changes may take time, but we also must remember that; 'nothing is achieved when nothing is done.'

GOD BLESS OUR HOMELAND GHANA.
GAB NORGAH ( GHANA SOCIETY OF THE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED - NEW JUABEN)

0208125785 / 0266518161 / 0547734007.