Gender Ministry Demands Shift “From Act to Action” as Ghana Marks 20 Years of Disability Act

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is demanding an immediate shift “From Act to Action” on disability rights as Ghana marks 20 years since the passage of the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715).

In a statement issued with the National Council on Persons with Disabilities for today’s National Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Ministry said the 20-year milestone must trigger enforcement, not more promises.

It said Act 715 laid a strong legal foundation in 2006, but the occasion “underscores the need to turn legal and policy commitments into practical outcomes that improve lives.”

Under this year’s theme “From Act to Action: Finalising Reforms and Enforcing Disability Rights Now and Beyond,” the Ministry told Ministries, MMDAs, the private sector and the public that inclusion must move beyond documents.

It called for barriers in education, employment, transport and public spaces to be removed now.

The demand for action comes with new government commitments announced at the 19th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in New York.

Led by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ghana said enforcement mechanisms will be tightened so persons with disabilities can fully enjoy their rights.

The Ministry listed steps it says will drive the shift from law to impact to include the proposed Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2026 to strengthen the legal framework; an increase in the District Assemblies Common Fund allocation for disability from 3% to 5%; expanded support through the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty Programme; a free tertiary education policy for persons with disabilities; integration of the Ghana Accessibility Standard into building regulations; and initiatives to close the digital divide.

“Twenty years after the passage of Act 715, the pursuit of full inclusion continues,” the statement read. “We reaffirm our commitment to turning rights into realities and keeping disability inclusion at the centre of Ghana’s development agenda.”

Story by Hajara Fuseini

Click to read more: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/