The government has announced its intention to re-enact the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715), bolstered by a crucial Legislative Instrument (LI) to ensure its robust enforcement.
This was made known by Dr. Clement Apaak, the Deputy Minister of Education, at the National Day for Persons with Disability (PWDs) commemoration on Monday, signalling a renewed push to make disability inclusion a legally binding obligation across all sectors.
The event, organised by the Ghana Federation of Persons with Disability (GFD) under the theme “Advancing Inclusion through Education”, highlighted both past struggles and future aspirations for Ghana’s disability community, estimated to be over 2.1 million people according to the Ghana Statistical Service.
Legislation to Mandate Inclusion
Dr. Apaak underscored the government’s resolve to move beyond mere policy pronouncements to actionable legal frameworks.
“The Government will reenact the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715) and introduce a Legislative Instrument to ensure its full enforcement,” he stated, adding that this move “would make disability inclusion a legal obligation for all institutions.”
This re-enactment is critical, as Act 715, despite being passed nearly two decades ago, has faced criticism for its lack of full implementation, particularly due to the absence of a comprehensive LI.
Ghana ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) on August 22, 2012, further solidifying its international commitment to these rights.
Beyond education, a key focus is economic empowerment. Dr. Apaak revealed that the government is “collaborating with the private sector to effectively implement the five per cent employment quota for PWDs,” urging private institutions to meet this target for their competent workforce.
While the Act 715 includes provisions for employment quotas and incentives, enforcement has been a long-standing challenge. Studies indicate that unemployment rates for PWDs in Ghana remain significantly higher than for persons without disabilities, often exceeding 80%.
Education: The Cornerstone of Transformation
Education emerged as the central pillar of the day’s discussions. Dr. Apaak reiterated President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment, reaffirmed in the 2025 State of the Nation Address, to legislative and structural reforms promoting inclusivity in education.
He announced groundbreaking initiatives, including a “mathematics curriculum tailored for visually impaired students at the Senior High School level to enable their participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.” Furthermore, efforts are underway to “develop a Ghanaian Sign Language curriculum to support hearing-impaired students.”
Perhaps one of the most anticipated announcements concerned the proposed policy of free tertiary education for PWDs under the current NDC administration. Dr. Apaak confirmed that a committee, which he co-chairs with the GFD President, had been established to develop a detailed roadmap for its implementation.
“Education must be accessible to all, and no financial barrier should prevent any Ghanaian child, including those with disabilities, from pursuing their dreams,” he declared.
This initiative could be transformative, given that nearly 20% of PWDs in Ghana have never attended school, a stark contrast to the 81% enrolment rate for children without disabilities. For those who do enroll, lack of financial resources and inaccessible facilities often lead to premature dropout.
Calls for Action and Global Perspectives
Mr. Joseph Atsu Homadzi, President of the GFD, passionately called on institutions like the Centre for Disability Studies and Advocacy and the University of Ghana to ensure their learning environments are “fully accessible to all, especially PWDs.” Current research indicates that over 70% of Ghanaian university infrastructure is inadequate for PWDs, highlighting significant barriers to access. He also urged the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection to expedite the alignment of Ghana’s disability law with the broader UN Convention.
Adding a critical global perspective, Mrs. Gertrude Oforiwaa Fefoame, a Board Member of STAR-Ghana Foundation and a member of the UN Committee on the Rights of PWDs, highlighted the insidious cycle of poverty disproportionately affecting women and girls with disabilities. She revealed a sobering global statistic: “only one per cent of girls with disability were literate,” and in Sub-Saharan Africa, they face the highest likelihood of missing school due to family perceptions, lack of accessible facilities, and inadequate protection from abuse.
“We must ensure safe and inclusive learning environments starting from kindergarten, with accessible facilities, quality teacher preparation, and teaching strategies tailored to all learners,” she urged.
The Spanish Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Angel Lossada, shared a personal testimony, emphasizing the universal nature of the struggle and the importance of support systems.
“Disability is not inability. There is no difference in the rights of PWDs and those without disabilities. We must all support the realisation of their rights,” he affirmed.
The GFD concluded the day by honouring founding members, dedicated staff, journalists, and child rights activists, recognizing their tireless efforts in championing the rights and dignity of persons with disability throughout the years.
The renewed government commitment, coupled with the persistent advocacy from PWD organizations, offers a glimmer of hope for a truly inclusive future in Ghana.
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