Ghana marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) 2025 with renewed commitments from the government and regulatory bodies to prioritize technology access, legal reform, and social inclusion for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). The national celebration, themed “Access to Technology and Assistive Devices for Persons with Disability,” highlighted the urgency of bridging the digital gap to ensure PWDs can participate fully in national development.
In her address, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, stressed that access to technology is no longer a luxury but an essential necessity for education, employment, health, and participation. The Minister made several key assurances on behalf of the government of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama.
On Legal Reform, she revealed that the Ministry has completed a review of the Persons with Disability Act 2006 (Act 715) to align it with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. A draft report is currently undergoing final consultation before its submission to Cabinet for administration and approval.
Regarding Digital Tools Procurement, the Ministry, through the Ghana Digital Acceleration Project, has procured necessary digital tools including 338 desktops, 154 laptops, accessible software, and Braille devices for seven special schools to enhance the digital skills of students.
On Policy Commitment, according to her, the government remains committed to strengthening inclusive policies, expanding social protection, and enhancing data systems to better plan and respond to disability-related needs. She emphasized that building an inclusive society requires a lifelong commitment to dismantling not only physical barriers but also digital, attitudinal, and institutional barriers.
Commemorating the day for the first time at the NCA Towers, the National Communications Authority (NCA) demonstrated its commitment to digital inclusion. Reading a speech on behalf of the Director General, Rev. Ing. Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, the Deputy Director General for Technical Operations, Suleman Salifu, highlighted the NCA’s mandate to regard the needs of PWDs as per its enabling Act 769.
The NCA announced specific policy actions, including Type Approval, where it will design a minimum specification by 2026, requiring all mobile terminal devices imported and approved for use in Ghana to include an accessibility feature before they receive type approval. Additionally, the Authority plans to strengthen Digital Platform Enhancement across its own digital platforms, integrating tools and design features to support visual, auditory, and motor needs, thereby enhancing consumer protection and transparency.
Joseph Atsu Homadzi, President of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD), thanked the NCA for its partnership and used the platform to reinforce the need for inclusion in all technology-related policies and programs. Homadzi passionately reiterated the GFD’s advocacy slogan: “Disability issues are not about them; they are about us,” underscoring that inclusion is a matter of collective societal responsibility.
Crucially, the GFD President acknowledged the fulfillment of several promises made by President John Dramani Mahama. The District Assemblies Common Fund portion for PWDs has been increased from 3% to 5% and captured in the recent budget. The budget also captures provisions for the purchase and distribution of electronic features and assistive devices by the GFD.
Also, an allocation of 25 million Cedis was provided to implement free education for PWDs. While acknowledging these wins, Homadzi made a humble appeal to Minister Lartey to expedite action on the final passage of the revised Disability Act, calling it a “huge legacy” for the disability community.
The day concluded with a collective call for sustained collaboration, continuous learning, and intentional investment to ensure systemic disability inclusion across all sectors of national development.
Story By: Eugenia Ewoenam Osei
