Ghana- 1st- Persons with disabilities

By Daniel Morris | 4. November 2025

CHAPTER: 3 BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS

3.3.6 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)

Article 29 of the 1992 Constitution provides for the protection of PWDs against exploitation and all treatment of a discriminatory, abusive or degrading nature. It is further provided that PWDs engaged in business and business organisations who employ PWDs in significant numbers shall be given special incentives.

It is estimated that about 8 percent (2,098,138) of the population have varying degrees of difficulty in performing activities and is higher among females (8.8%) than males (6.7%)44. Despite constitutional and legislative provisions guaranteeing the rights of PWDs to participate in social, creative and recreational activities, PWDs have not been effectively protected. This drawback is not in conformity with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) even though Ghana ratified this Convention in 2012. Business and human rights violations against PWDs manifest in some of the following ways:

  • Workplace discrimination against PWDs
  • Denial of reasonable accommodation
  • Non-compliance with disability-friendly laws at the workplace
  • Weak enforcement of the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715)
  • Non-compliance with the Accessibility Standards for the Built Environment document
  • Non-incorporation of disability-friendly architectural designs
  • Inadequate inclusivity of PWDs in national development process

CHAPTER: 4 STRATEGIES AND INTERVENTIONS

4.1 Strategies to achieve Key Objectives of the Three Pillars

4.1.1 Pillar 1: The State’s Duty to Protect Human Rights

1.5 Enact new legislations and strengthen the implementation of the existing laws on the protection of vulnerable groups

Activities:

  • Build the capacity of relevant institution to promote the implementation of the Affirmative Action Act 2024
  • Organize sensitization and education on the Affirmative Action Act, 2024
  • Develop public education programmes and interventions to enhance the implementation of existing laws aimed at eradicating stigmatization and discrimination against PWDs andKPs

  • Time frame: 2025-2029
  • Implementing lead agencies: MoGCSP, NCCE
  • Implementing collaborating agencies: GFD, NCPD, Parliament, CSOs, MoE, ISD, MoI, CHRAJ

Activities: Engage institutions on the provision of friendly infrastructure for PWDs.

  • Time frame: 2025-2029
  • Implementing lead agencies: MoGCSP, GSA
  • Implementing collaborating agencies: MMDAs, Professional Bodies and Associations, Media, MDAs, AESL

Activities: Promote local content on recruitment of youth and PWDs by businesses in their operational areas

  • Time frame: 2025-2029
  • Implementing lead agencies: MoYS, MELR
  • Implementing collaborating agencies: YEA, NSS, NYA, GEA

Activities: Facilitate the passage of the Persons with Disability Bill

  • Time frame: 2025-2026
  • Implementing lead agencies: MoGCSP, OAG&MOJ
  • Implementing collaborating agencies: Parliament, Employers Association, Trade Unions, CSOs, CHRAJ, NCPD, GFD