Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations Celebrates National Day of Persons with Disabilities
The Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) marked the National Day of Persons with Disabilities on June 24, 2024, emphasizing the urgent need to re-enact the Persons with Disabilities Act 715 to align with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
Despite the passage of the Persons with Disability Act in 2006, the full impact of the law remains limited due to Ghana’s slow progress in amending the act to align with the UNCRPD. The GFD called on the government to prioritize the re-enactment of the legislation to ensure the realization of the rights and equal participation of persons with disabilities.
Mr. Joseph Atsu Homadze, the National president of the GFD, noted that the present well-being of persons with disabilities in the country does not reflect a positive outcome, attributing the situation to low political will and slow change in societal attitudes. He urged the government to commit to protecting the rights of persons with disabilities and appealed to the Speaker of parliamnt, the Attorney General’s Department, and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social protection to use their offices to push for the re-enactment of the Disability Act 715.
The president also commended employers who have inclusive employment policies and thanked its partners, organizations of persons with disabilities, the media, and civil society for their continued support of disability inclusion. The organization called for unity within the disability movement to achieve its objectives and urged the government to consider making provisions for disability matters in national budget statements