The Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations (GFD) has urged President John Mahama to appoint qualified persons with disability (PWDs) to leadership positions in government and across Municipal and District Assemblies.
In a recent statement, the federation emphasized that there are many capable and well-versed individuals with disability who can effectively contribute to national development.
The statement encouraged the President to demonstrate a commitment to disability inclusion by ensuring their participation in governance.
GFD highlighted the provisions of Ghana’s constitution and the Disability Act (Act 715), which guarantee equality for all eligible individuals in the job market. However, the federation lamented that this is not reflected in practice.
“While Ghana’s constitution and the Disability Act (Act 715) guarantee equality, the reality tells a different story. Persons with disabilities are significantly underrepresented in decision-making spaces, which undermines the nation’s goals of fostering an inclusive society,” the statement noted.
According to President of GFD, Joseph Atsu Homadzi, persons with disability can make meaningful contributions to governance. “Persons with disability bring valuable skills, diverse perspectives, and lived experiences that can meaningfully shape governance; their inclusion in leadership roles not only improves decision-making but also reflects Ghana’s commitment to fairness, equity, and justice.” he stated
GFD is calling on President Mahama to take deliberate steps to ensure fair appointments of PWDs in assemblies nationwide by selecting qualified candidates for leadership roles. They also recommend public initiatives to showcase the value of disability-inclusive leadership and promote a truly inclusive governance system.
See statement below:
By: Kobina Baidoo
