Members of Ghana Blind Union (GBU), Western Region branch on Saturday 8th January, 2022 welcomed the 2022 year with a grand party dubbed ‘Jawuley with the Visually Impaired’ at the Star of the Sea Cathedral in Takoradi.
Organized by online news portal, www.233times.net, this is the third year the GBU members in the Western Region have celebrated the new year in this grand style. The organizer of the event, Nana Kwesi Coomson who is also the Editor-in-Chief of www.233times.net mentioned that “we thought we were having a one-off event for them last three years but the euphoria at the maiden edition inspired us to make this an annual event. They repeatedly mentioned that this is the best time of their lives so we had no choice than to repeat this yearly.”
“The party is not only to eat, drink and dance but all the females have their hair styled and all of them receive manicure and pedicure treatments. This party has also provided the avenue for support for the GBU members since there are sessions for them to air their plights. Many of them have received aids from those who are present and some have also had support to start their own businesses” Mr. Coomson revealed the impact of the party so far.
Mr. Coomson further charged the GBU members to make positive impacts and not limit their dreams to their disability. “The Biblical story of Bartimaeus teaches us a lot; don’t let your disability be prefixed with your name, so we charge you to make impact that you would be known for and not your disability. Like Bartimaeus shouted to court the attention of Jesus, let your impacts court the attention of the world and I can assure of that there would be help coming from all over if you make a move” Mr. Coomson charged the GBU members present at the party.
In his address, Mr. James Osei, the President of the Ghana Blind Union, Western Region expressed his gratitude to the organizers for having them in mind since the last three years and putting joy in their hearts. “We thank the organizers for their thoughtfulness and putting joy in our hearts. Like we heard, we are to make an impact in our individual lives. Our disability is not a form of inability so we are charged to make positive impacts in our lives. Next year, we assure the organizers of positive impacts” Mr. Osei said.
The new year party is organized in collaboration with Westline Entertainment and support from AnajiChoicemart, Virtuous Boardroom, Corpnation Foundation, Wenette Hope Foundation, OBPR, Deo Gratis, Nananom Catering, Aseda Foundation and a host of individual donors in and out of Ghana.
