Ghana Braille Press, the only producer of reading materials for the blind is grinding to a halt.

The whole set up, a Swedish government donation, which was commissioned in 1981, is now largely neglected.

Mrs Victoria Mawuli-Woname, Head of the Press told the Ghana News gency in Accra on Friday that "our machines are old and are therefore struggling to cope with even the little production we do here."

The Press produces all the Braille texts for the blind in the primary, secondary and tertiary levels of education.

"The six dedicated members of my staff have the skill to produce all reading materials for the blind, including the conversion of newspapers to Braille materials but our facility here cannot facilitate our ambition."

She said the only vehicle the press had, broke down in 1990 and since then all expenses on transportation had to be made from their shoe-stringed budget.

"All Braille and tin sheets used in making embossment blocks are gifts from our friends and we do not know when the supply will cease," she said and appealed to the government and those sympathetic to the blind to help the press function well "so that the blind would acquire knowledge and skill and lessen their burden on society."