President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity, announcing that government will strictly enforce a minimum 5% employment quota for persons with disabilities (PWDs) across both public and private sectors.
The President made the announcement during the launch of the Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities policy, emphasizing that the measure is part of efforts to ensure the full integration of PWDs into Ghana’s workforce.
He explained that private sector organizations that comply with the quota will receive tax incentives as a reward for supporting the national inclusion agenda.
“We would enforce a minimum 5% employment quota for persons with disability. 5% employment quota for persons with disability. And this will be across public and private sectors. For private sector organizations that meet the quota, they will be given tax incentives,” he said.
The President further noted that ministries and agencies will be held accountable for meeting the target through annual performance reports.
“And every public sector, through their ministers, will have to report annually that they have met the 5% quota,” he added.
President Mahama also disclosed that government will soon introduce a Persons with Disability Amendment Act and a legislative instrument to strengthen Ghana’s disability rights regime and ensure compliance with accessibility standards.
“We will introduce a Persons with Disability Amendment Act and a legislative instrument to modernize Ghana’s disability rights regime and ensure effective enforcement. So this new amendment act would amend the Persons with Disability Act that was passed in 2006 in order to bring it up to date with current realities,” he stated.
He revealed that the revised law will impose stricter penalties for non-compliance with accessibility standards for public buildings.
“We will enforce the Ghana accessibility standards for all public buildings and facilities. 2026 will be 10 years since the enforcement of accessibility to public buildings was meant to be enforced. Therefore, in the Amendment Act to Act 715, we will increase the term of imprisonment for persons who refuse to comply. And we will also increase the fines that they have to pay,” he said.
Currently, the penalty for non-compliance stands at three months in prison or a GH¢600 fine — a sanction the President described as inadequate.
“Act 715 says the penalty for not complying is three months in prison or 600 cedis. 600 cedis is too small. So in the new Act, we are going to increase the penalty and maybe we increase the imprisonment from three months to six months,” he stated.
President Mahama concluded by directing all Ministers of State to review their respective obligations under the Disability Act and develop concrete action plans to achieve full compliance.
“I’ve directed all Ministers of State to review their obligations under the Disability Act and present action plans for full compliance within the shortest possible time. Every year, as part of the obligation of Ministers, they’ll have to provide a report on how they’ve complied with the Disability Act,” he added.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
