Ghana’s Parliament is set to pass the Persons with Disability (Amendment) Bill, aimed at strengthening legal protections and improving the welfare and rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Key Provisions of the Bill
Enhances the implementation of the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715).
Introduces a Legislative Instrument (LI) for stronger enforcement of disability rights.
Mandates public and private sector employers to allocate 5% of job vacancies to PWDs.
Government’s Commitment to Disability Inclusion
During his State of the Nation Address (SONA), President John Dramani Mahama reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to:
✔ Equal employment opportunities for PWDs
✔ Education access and financial support
✔ Social protection and sustainable livelihoods

Mahama pledged to enforce laws ensuring free tertiary education for PWDs and equal opportunities for their academic and professional ambitions.

Legislative Push for Disability Rights
The amendment aligns with a Private Member’s Bill introduced by Madina MP Francis-Xavier Sosu in September 2022, which seeks to:

Make PWD employment mandatory for public and private institutions.
Address broader issues related to disability rights and workplace inclusion.
Expanding Social Protection Under "Big LEAP" Initiative
The government is expanding the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme to support more PWDs.
The ongoing Ghana National Household Data Census (2025) will assess and enroll new LEAP beneficiaries.
Impact of the Bill
The passage of the Persons with Disability (Amendment) Bill will:
✅ Strengthen legal backing for disability rights.
✅ Promote greater inclusion in employment, education, and social welfare.
✅ Ensure equal opportunities across all sectors of the economy.