By Diana Adjei
The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, met with leaders of a group of unemployed graduates with disabilities to discuss challenges affecting their access to employment.
The delegation, led by Mr. Gilbert Agyare, outlined concerns over the persistent unemployment situation among graduates with disabilities, describing it as a long-standing national issue requiring urgent attention.
Welcoming the group, the Minister expressed appreciation for the engagement and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to inclusive dialogue and collaborative action. She noted that the meeting forms part of ongoing consultations, adding that the group is the third disability association she has engaged in recent efforts to address unemployment among persons with disabilities.
Mr. Agyare called for deliberate recruitment measures, including dedicated employment clearances and the effective enforcement of the five per cent employment quota for persons with disabilities in the public sector. He also advocated structured employment pathways to ensure fair opportunities, stressing that open competition without targeted support often disadvantages persons with disabilities.
In response, the Minister assured the delegation of government’s resolve to advance inclusive employment policies. She indicated that the Ministry would work closely with the National Council on Persons with Disabilities and other relevant institutions to strengthen data systems and develop a comprehensive database to support job placement initiatives.
She further disclosed that the Ministry would intensify monitoring of the District Assemblies Common Fund allocation for persons with disabilities, particularly in the areas of skills development, capacity building and enterprise support.
The Minister emphasized the need for coordinated engagement among disability groups to prevent fragmentation and ensure that interventions are evidence-based and measurable.
She assured the group that government remains committed to ensuring that persons with disabilities, including unemployed graduates, are meaningfully included in employment opportunities and national development efforts.
Present at the meeting were the Executive Secretary of the National Council on Persons with Disabilities, Mr. Edwin Kweku Andoh, and the Director of the Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate of the Ministry, Mrs. Florence Ayisi Quartey.
The engagement forms part of broader efforts by the Ministry to promote disability inclusion and strengthen support systems for persons with disabilities in Ghana.
