At its biennial delegate’s congress of November 2014, history was made in the annals of the Ghana Blind Union. After a keenly contested election campaign, GBU delegates from all over the country elected Ms Ayishetu Ibrahim to the high office of National President, to steer the affairs of the Union for the next four years.
Madam Ibrahim popularly known as Ayisha, holds a first degree (B. Ed) in Special Education and a Masters degree (M. Ed) in Educational Administration and Management, both from the University of Education. Currently she holds the rank of assistant Director in the Ghana Education Service. A seasoned educationist, Ayisha is a teacher at the Wa School for the Blind.
She has always been a very active member of the Organization. In years past, she has held various positions which include; Upper-West Regional Women’s treasurer, Upper-West Regional coordinator for the Women’s wing, Upper-West regional secretary, National treasurer, National 2nd Vice-President. She has also functioned as an advocate for the educational rights of blind children.
Ayisha has no delusions about the magnitude of the task that awaits her. She declares that she will strengthen and use existing Organizational structures and tap into the rich human resource base that exists within the GBU. “Together, we will strategize for effective resource mobilization in the Regions as well as districts and take GBU to a higher level…” With elections over, it’s all about one big family.
The election of Ayishetu Ibrahim marks the end of the era of Mr. Yaw Ofori Debra, who led the Organization with dedication and commitment for a total of 12 years, first as the President of Ghana Association of the Blind and later as the first President of the Ghana Blind Union.
In a related development, Ms Olivia Opoku was elected to the position of 2nd vice-President. The GBU constitution reserves the position of 1st Vice president for a non-blind member. The position is currently held by Mr. Eric Yankah. This means that, for the first time ever, GBU has two women at the helm of affairs. It is apparent that GBU gender policy which inter alia, encourages women to seek and take on responsibility and high office has begun to yield fruit.
Taking a closer look at GBU elections past and present, an interesting trend appears to emerge. A North-South interplay. In the last elections of the former GAB, delegates elected Dr. Koray, a member from the North as President and Mr. Debra a member from the south as Vice-President. The first election of the GBU saw Mr. Debra elected with Ms Ayishetu from the North as his Vice. This year, the same pattern appears again with Ayishetu Imbrahim from the North and Olivia Opoku from the South. North-South alliance, political stratagem or pure coincidence? Your guess is as good as any. What do you think? |
