Disability Council Chair Urges Prez Akufo-Addo to Fast-Track Passage of Disability Bill

The chairman of the National Council on Persons with Disability, Yaw Ofori-Debra, is appealing to President Akufo-Addo to expedite the passage of the Persons with Disability Bill 2024 by placing it under a certificate of urgency. With the 8th Parliament’s tenure set to end in four months, Ofori-Debra wants the president to ensure the bill’s swift passage before the House’s dissolution.

In a press statement marking the 18th anniversary of the Disability Act 715, Ofori-Debra emphasised the need for urgent action. “I appeal to the President and Cabinet to give passionate consideration to this bill and place it under a certificate of urgency, enabling the 8th Parliament to pass it before its final rise,” he said.

The Disability Act, passed in 2006, was a landmark achievement for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Ghana. It provided legal protection and guarantees for their human rights, established a legal framework for judicial litigation, and aimed to ensure social justice and inclusion. However, 18 years later, the Act’s positive impact has been limited, largely due to the absence of implementing regulations and insufficient enforcement mechanisms.

The enactment of the Disability Act preceded Ghana’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in 2012. A subsequent analysis revealed significant gaps between the domestic law and the UNCRPD, particularly in areas such as the needs of children, women, and youth, disaster and risk management, political and governance participation, and community living.

To address these shortcomings, a comprehensive revision of the Disability Act has been undertaken, resulting in the current Persons with Disabilities Bill 2024. The draft Bill and Cabinet Memo have been finalised and are awaiting Cabinet approval before being submitted to Parliament for passage.

Mr. Ofori-Debra’s plea for swift action underscores the urgency of addressing the ongoing challenges faced by PWDs in Ghana. The passage of the updated Bill is crucial to ensure a more inclusive and equitable society that better meets the needs of this vulnerable group.