Chairman of Parliament’s Disability Caucus, Dr. Clement Apaak, has called for urgent action to enforce disability rights and remove barriers affecting millions of Ghanaians.
Delivering a statement on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday to mark the National Day of Persons with Disabilities, Dr. Apaak said Ghana must move beyond policy declarations and focus on delivering tangible improvements in the lives of persons with disabilities.
The Builsa South MP described this year’s theme, “From Act to Action: Finalizing Reforms and Enforcing Disability Rights Now,” as a timely reminder that implementation must take precedence over intentions.
“This occasion is not merely a day of commemoration. It is a national call to reflection, accountability, and action,” he said.
Dr. Apaak noted that more than two million Ghanaians live with one form of disability, according to the 2021 Population and Housing Census, stressing that the figure represents citizens with talent, ambition and potential who are essential to national development.
He said many persons with disabilities are students seeking education, entrepreneurs pursuing opportunities and workers contributing to the economy, adding that their inclusion is critical to Ghana’s prosperity.
The Deputy Minister for Education acknowledged that despite progress made through the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2006 (Act 715), and Ghana’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, significant challenges remain.
“Many persons with disabilities continue to face barriers in accessing education, healthcare, employment, transportation, public infrastructure, information, and social protection services,” he said.
Dr. Apaak added that accessibility remains limited in many public spaces, while economic opportunities for persons with disabilities are still constrained.
“These realities underscore the urgent need to strengthen implementation, enhance accountability, and accelerate reforms,” he said.
He urged policymakers to stop treating disability inclusion as charity.
“Disability inclusion must never be viewed as an act of charity or benevolence. It is fundamentally a matter of human rights, equality, and justice,” he said.
Dr. Apaak further called on ministries, departments and agencies, local assemblies, the private sector and civil society organisations to renew efforts to remove barriers that prevent full participation of persons with disabilities.
He added: “Let this occasion serve as a renewed pledge to move decisively from promises to progress, from legislation to implementation, and from recognition to full realization of disability rights.”
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Apiah | Accra
