Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin Inaugurates Parliamentary Caucus on Disability

In a landmark effort towards disability inclusion, the Ghana Parliamentary Disability Caucus was officially inaugurated on Monday July 29,2024 at the Parliament House in Accra. The event marks a significant step forward in Ghana’s commitment to promoting the welfare and well-being of persons with disabilities.

The event was attended by notable dignitaries including the Team Lead Ghana of Somubi Dwumadie Lyla Adwan-Kamara. Chokuda, Mrs. Gertrude Oforiwa Fefoame, the Chair of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), Mr Joesph Atsu Homadzi, National President of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD), leadership of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities and other esteemed guests.

The Speaker of Parliament, Right Honorable Alban Bagbin, presided over the inauguration ceremony. In his inaugural speech, he emphasized the importance of the Parliamentary Caucus on disability, stating, “Today’s occasion is a clear demonstration of parliament’s determination to promote disability inclusion. Our 1992 Constitution enjoins the state to provide for and promote the welfare and well-being of vulnerable people, including providing assistance to them.”

The Speaker further stressed that no nation can truly grow or develop without supporting its vulnerable populations, including persons with disabilities. He highlighted some of the challenges faced by this community in Ghana, particularly in accessing healthcare and fully participating in national development due to communication barriers.

The Speaker finally underscored the Caucus’s role in advocating for disability mainstreaming across various sectors, championing matters affecting persons with disabilities, promoting norms and standards for their effective participation.

Dr. Clement Apaak, the Chairman of the Disability Caucus in Parliament, delivered a powerful address during the ceremony. He emphasized that persons with disabilities are not second-class citizens and expressed gratitude to the Speaker and all attendees for making this “memorable occasion” occasion.

Dr. Apaak outlined the caucus’s commitment to aggressive and effective advocacy for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in national development. He remarked, “Each of us, regardless of our social, economic, ethnic, and religious background, is just one incident away from being classified as disabled. This is why it’s crucially important that we advocate not just for others, but for ourselves and our society as a whole.”

The caucus, which currently boasts 33 members, is expected to see a surge in membership following today’s inauguration. Dr. Apaak expressed optimism that more parliamentarians would join the cause once they become aware of the caucus’s existence and mission.

While acknowledging the challenges ahead, Dr. Apaak remained confident in the caucus’s ability to effect change. He stated, “We are committed to doing right by those we have wronged, to ensuring inclusion, respecting the rights of persons with disabilities, mainstreaming disability issues, and leaving no one behind.”

The National President of the GFD, Mr Joesph Atsu Homadzi thanked the Speaker of Parliament and members of the Disability Caucus. He called for a unified effort to break down stereotypes and discrimination against persons with disabilities. He emphasized the need for resilience, and personal agency, He stress the need for every well-meaning Ghanaian to support the Disability caucus to achieve its mandate.

The inauguration of the Parliamentary Disability Caucus is seen as a pivotal moment in Ghana’s efforts to create a more inclusive society. It aligns with global initiatives to implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which Ghana ratified in 2012.

As the caucus begins its work, The GFD and other disability rights advocates are hopeful that this will lead to concrete improvements in the lives of persons with disabilities, including better access to education, employment opportunities, and public spaces, and the re-enactment of the Disability Act 715.