Despite various government interventions aimed at improving the lives of persons with disabilities, many continue to face daily obstacles that limit their full participation in society.
From inaccessible public buildings to limited employment opportunities, millions of Ghanaians with disabilities say progress has been slow, and the legal framework meant to protect them is outdated.
It is against this backdrop that the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) is calling for the urgent re-enactment and passage of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2006 (Act 715), arguing that the current law is “no longer fit for purpose” and fails to reflect modern disability rights standards.
At a press conference in Accra, the National Gender Representative of the Federation, Martha Coffie, stated that persons living with disabilities continue to face significant barriers despite interventions such as the Free Tertiary Education programme for persons with disabilities.
She noted that the nearly two-decade-old law no longer aligns with Ghana’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which the country ratified in 2012.
“Ghana committed to international standards when we ratified the UN Convention, but our laws have not kept pace,” she stressed.
According to the Federation, millions of Ghanaians living with disabilities continue to struggle with access to education, employment, healthcare, transportation, and public facilities, challenges they believe stem partly from weak and outdated legislation.
Ms Coffie explained that reviewing and re-enacting Act 715 would help establish clearer institutional responsibilities and strengthen accountability.
“We need a modern framework that reflects our rights, aspirations, and the realities of today. The longer we delay, the more persons with disabilities are left behind,” she warned.
The GFD maintains that a stronger and updated Disability Act is crucial to ensuring equal opportunities, safeguarding fundamental rights, and aligning Ghana’s policies with global best practices.