Editorial by Ghanaian Times: Treat passage of amended Act 715 with urgency

On Sunday, the world observed one of the events on the global calendar – International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), which falls on December 3 annually.

This observance is dedicated to promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities and highlights the importance of inclusivity, acces­sibility, and equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities, while also celebrating their achievements and contributions to society.

Proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General As­sembly, the observance aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities (PWDs).

The day provides an opportunity for governments, organisa­tions, and communities to come together to raise awareness, promote inclusion, and take action to improve the lives of PWDs.

It is also a day to celebrate achievements, and share stories and experiences of PWDs to raise awareness and foster empathy and understanding, while giving certain organisations and even in­dividuals to work to improve the lives of persons with disabilities and promote inclusivity.

Like the observance of all such days, events like forums, seminars, or workshops were organised to discuss disability-re­lated issues or challenges and solutions for inclusion that can ensure that PWDs have equal access to services and opportunities as others.

Even though this year’s event was globally observed on Sunday, the Ghana Federation of Dis­ability Organisations, in collab­oration with the UN Ghana and Sightsavers, organised a forum yesterday in Accra to commem­orate it.

At the forum, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations (UN), Mr Charles Abani, urged the government to expedite ac­tions towards the passage of the amended Persons with Disability Act 2006 (Act 715) to ensure inclusivity.

The act raises impact on rights to accessibility, education, transportation, and healthcare for PWDs and the establishment and functions of the National

Council on Persons with Dis­ability (NCPD).

We are worried that the government had to wait for the UN Resident Representative in the country to remind it of its commitment and responsibility towards PWDs in the country.

We can recall that when the Persons With Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715) was finally passed by Parliament in June 2006, many stakeholders, including PWDs, Ghana Federation of the Disabled (GFD), and some civil society organisations, hailed it.

However, after the act received Presidential assent in August 2006, there arose arguments that it had no provision on non-dis­crimination and the gender dimension of discrimination.

It is also on record that following the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (UNCRPD) and the Optional Protocol in 2012 by the Government of Ghana, the Law and Development Associates, the country’s leading multi-dis­ciplinary law and development consultancy firm, stated in its 2013 Draft Gap Analysis Report that Act 715 is inconsistent with the UNCRPD because it has no provision on women with disability, the rights of children with disability, the inherent right to life and the right to protection and safety in situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies.

We think in the face of these gaps pointed out by the experts and other challenges of PWDs in the country, it is an error that the passage of the amended Act 715 is being delayed.

We humbly appeal that the amended act be passed without further delay because Ghana can achieve disability inclusion only when a consistent and systematic approach is implemented in all areas of life in the country.

It is said that the passage will also highlight the effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Ghana, and we believe this will be so particularly for those that promote an accessible and equi­table world for all PWDs such as SDGs 4, 8, 10 and 11.