A high layer pavement in the middle of a pedestrian crossing around Kejetia
Pavement blocks on pedestrian crossings around the newly constructed Kejetia market in Kumasi might get in the way of disabled pedestrians, people living with impairment and others, the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisation (GFD) has stated.
President of the federation Prince Debrah said people living with impairment would struggle to get around the place as pedestrian walkways at the markets are not disability friendly.
According to him, several appeals to the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) have been left unattended to, with city engineers claiming redevelopment of pavement blocks on the pedestrian crossings would bring additional cost to the project.
Speaking with DAILY GUIDE, Mr. Debrah argued that well-planned streets and other open spaces of any city should be able to make room for all citizens to get around their local areas easily no matter whether the person is on foot, in a wheelchair or has a visual impairment.
He asserted that the end-to-end high layer pavement blocks on pedestrian crossings make it too dangerous for people with limited mobility to cross the road safely and access the Kejatia market/ lorry terminal.
He wanted the KMA to make it easier for people with disability to access the new facility without difficulty. He indicated that many PWDs have become less active due to the way public spaces, buildings and transport systems are designed.
From Ernest Kofi Adu, Kumasi