Scores of unemployed, qualified persons with disabilities staged what they described as a peaceful demonstration, calling for equal job opportunities and stricter enforcement of inclusive labour policies.

Marching from the Accra Rehabilitation Centre in Adabraka on March 24, the group urged both the government and private employers to prioritise fairness and inclusivity in recruitment practices.

Carrying placards that read “We need jobs; enough is enough,” “Break the barriers, not our spirit,” and “We can work, we are capable,” the protesters demanded urgent action to address their employment concerns.

When speaking to JoyNews, participants voiced their deep frustration over the scarcity of job opportunities for persons with disabilities, despite holding academic qualifications and being ready to contribute to national development.

One visually impaired, unemployed graduate reflected on the personal impact of long-term unemployment. “Unemployment has really been a big problem amongst persons with disabilities, especially because personally it’s very difficult to depend on the people that have taken care of you from childhood at this big age of mine,” she lamented.

The emotional burden of ongoing joblessness was also highlighted by another protester. “It’s very difficult for me. I’ve not been myself; I’ve been looking for employment, and it has become a problem,” she said.

A third participant drew attention to the loss of independence experienced by many in similar situations. “You have to depend on your guardian for every single thing you want, and I don’t like it that way. So I wish the government would come to our aid and grant us employment so that we can work,” she added.

The demonstrators concluded by urging authorities to implement tangible and sustainable measures, insisting that qualified individuals with disabilities must be given equal opportunities to work and contribute to Ghana’s socio-economic growth.

Meanwhile, Parliament is working around the clock to pass the Persons with Disability (Amendment) Bill, aimed at strengthening legal protections and improving the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Ghana.

The government had also announced plans to introduce a Legislative Instrument (LI) to enhance the implementation of the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715), ensuring stronger enforcement of disability rights.

President John Dramani Mahama reaffirmed the government's dedication to disability inclusion while delivering his State of the Nation Address in Parliament on Thursday. He emphasized the need for equal employment opportunities and the importance of ensuring PWDs had access to education, social protection, and sustainable livelihoods.

As part of this commitment, Mahama stated that the government was determined to enforce the law requiring both public and private sector employers to allocate five per cent of their job vacancies to persons with disabilities.

This push aligned with a Private Member’s Bill tabled in Parliament by Francis-Xavier Sosu, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Madina, on September 5, 2022. The proposed bill sought to make it mandatory for all public and private institutions to employ PWDs while addressing broader issues related to disability rights.

Beyond employment, Mahama reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding access to education and financial support for persons with disabilities.

“… I want to reiterate our commitment to ensuring that individuals with disabilities have access to free tertiary education and equal opportunities to pursue their academic and professional ambitions,” he stated.

To further enhance social protection, the government was also expanding the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme under its “Big LEAP” initiative.

“As we worked towards completing the Ghana National Household Data Census by 2025, we would reassess the status of LEAP beneficiary households to facilitate the enrolment of new beneficiaries,” Mahama added.

The passage of the Persons with Disability (Amendment) Bill was expected to provide stronger legal backing for disability rights, ensuring greater inclusion and equal opportunities in all sectors of the economy.

Ghana Health Service (GHS) instructed all Regional Directors of Health to take immediate steps to enhance disability-friendly healthcare services across the country, with compliance set to be a key factor in performance evaluations.

A directive issued by Acting Director-General, Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, outlined specific measures aimed at improving accessibility and inclusivity for persons with disabilities in hospitals.

The directive followed discussions with Regional Directors on February 13, 2025, where the need for improved disability-friendly facilities had been highlighted.

Following this, GHS engaged with the National Disability Council and the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations to develop strategies for strengthening rehabilitation services and implementing critical modifications in healthcare facilities.

Citing Section 33 of the Disability Act, the directive underscored the legal obligation of health institutions to provide equal access to healthcare for persons with disabilities. These requirements included making structural adjustments, ensuring priority care for individuals with disabilities, and providing sign language interpreters where necessary.

To drive these reforms, Regional Directors were instructed to activate and reinforce existing structures in hospitals, ensure functional social welfare offices, update peer review checklists to include inclusivity measures, and reorient disability focal persons at regional and district levels.

Prof. Akoriyea emphasized that adherence to these directives would be closely monitored and reflected in performance assessments, reinforcing GHS’s commitment to ensuring equitable healthcare access for all.