By: Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
Government is intensifying efforts to address unemployment among persons with disabilities, with a renewed focus on data collection and coordinated job placement strategies.
This follows a meeting between the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, and a group of unemployed persons with disabilities who called at the Ministry to demand more concrete employment opportunities.
The group, led by Mr. Gilbert Agyare, raised concerns about the slow pace of job creation for persons with disabilities, despite previous engagements and policy assurances.
Responding to the concerns, the Minister outlined a shift towards a more structured and evidence-based approach to tackling the issue, stressing that sustainable employment solutions must be guided by accurate and comprehensive data.
She disclosed that the Ministry has begun a nationwide data collection exercise to profile persons with disabilities, capturing details on their educational background, skills and employment needs. According to her, the initiative is intended to support proper job matching and ensure that interventions are targeted and effective.
The Minister explained that the exercise has been expanded beyond the initial group to include various disability groups across the country, in a move aimed at promoting fairness and inclusivity.
She further indicated that employment opportunities will be rolled out in phases and coordinated across both public and private sector institutions to ensure long-term impact.
The renewed focus comes amid ongoing concerns about the gap between disability policies and actual employment outcomes. Ghana’s Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715) provides a legal framework for protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, including access to employment.
However, implementation challenges remain, with many persons with disabilities continuing to face barriers such as limited access to education, workplace discrimination and inadequate workplace accommodations.
Data from the Ghana Statistical Service indicates that a significant portion of the population lives with some form of disability, underscoring the need for inclusive economic policies that leave no one behind.
Dr. Lartey acknowledged the frustrations expressed by the group but assured them that engagement with the Ministry remains ongoing, with several processes already underway.
She reaffirmed government’s commitment to inclusive development, noting that collaboration with stakeholders will be key to expanding opportunities for persons with disabilities. The engagement ended with both sides agreeing on the need for sustained dialogue as efforts continue to translate policy commitments into tangible employment opportunities.
