The Minority Caucus in Parliament has received a petition from the Coalition of Unemployed Graduates with Disabilities, calling for urgent measures to improve employment opportunities for qualified persons with disabilities.
The petition was received on behalf of the Minority by the Deputy Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Asokwa, Patricia Appiagyei.
The Coalition is demanding three key measures: the immediate recruitment of qualified unemployed graduates with disabilities on its verified list; strict enforcement of the employment quota for persons with disabilities in public sector recruitment; and the introduction of incentives for private sector employers who hire qualified persons with disabilities.
In a statement, the Minority described the concerns raised by the Coalition as legitimate and grounded in Ghana’s constitutional and legal framework.
It cited Article 29 of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees protection for persons with disabilities against exploitation and discrimination and mandates Parliament to enact laws to safeguard their rights.
The Minority noted that Parliament subsequently passed the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715), which requires the State, through public employment centres, to assist persons with disabilities into employment.
The Act also provides for tax rebates and other incentives for private and public employers who engage persons with disabilities.
According to the Minority, Article 17 of the Constitution further allows Parliament to pursue affirmative measures aimed at addressing social and economic imbalances.
It said the Coalition’s demands therefore provide an opportunity for Parliament to strengthen existing measures and bridge the gap between legal protections and the lived experiences of persons with disabilities.
The Minority reaffirmed its commitment to championing policies that create meaningful employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and enable them to contribute fully to national development.
It commended the Coalition for pursuing its concerns through parliamentary channels and assured its members that the petition would receive the necessary attention.
The Minority said it remains committed to working towards a Ghana where “ability, competence and determination, not disability, define one’s access to opportunity.”
