Accra: The government has announced plans to pass the Persons with Disability (Amendment) Bill, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing the legal framework surrounding disability rights. This legislative move aims to bolster existing laws to better address the needs and rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the country.
According to Ghana News Agency, the government also intends to introduce a Legislative Instrument (LI) to strengthen the provisions of the Persons with Disability (PWDs) Act of 2006 (Act 715). President John Dramani Mahama disclosed these developments during his first State of the Nation Address to Parliament in Accra. The government's plan includes ensuring the implementation of legislation that mandates both public and private employers to allocate five percent of their employment opportunities to PWDs.
The initiative to reserve employment slots for PWDs was tabled as a Private Member's Bill by Mr. Francis-Xavier Sosu, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Madina, on September 5, 2022. This bill is designed to make the employment of PWDs mandatory in all public and private institutions, thereby addressing related issues and promoting inclusivity.
President Mahama emphasized the government's dedication to providing individuals with disabilities access to free tertiary education and equal opportunities for academic and professional growth. In addition to these measures, the government is working on expanding the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme under the 'Big LEAP' initiative. As part of this effort, the government plans to complete the Ghana National Household Data Census by 2025, which will allow for a reassessment of LEAP beneficiary households and the potential enrollment of new beneficiaries.
