The government has announced plans to introduce free tertiary education for persons with disabilities and enforce a minimum five per cent employment quota in public and private institutions as part of efforts to strengthen disability inclusion in Ghana.
The proposed interventions form part of a broader government agenda outlined by the Policy Advisor to the Vice President, Dr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, during the Day of Help for Persons with Disabilities in Koforidua on Friday, October 30, 2026.
Representing Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Dr Ofosu Ampofo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in education, employment and other areas of national development.
He stressed that disability inclusion should be recognised as a fundamental human rights obligation rather than an act of charity.
“A nation is not judged solely by the strength of its economy or beauty of its infrastructure. It is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens,” he said.
Under the proposed tertiary education initiative, persons with disabilities are expected to receive financial support covering tuition and residential accommodation.
Dr Ofosu Ampofo disclosed that an amendment to the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) Act was expected to provide a statutory funding framework for the programme.
He also announced that the government had increased the allocation of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) for persons with disabilities from three to five per cent this year.
Additionally, disability desks are expected to be established across all 261 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to improve access to government assistance and address disability-related concerns at the local level.
Government proposes 5% employment quota
On employment, Dr Ofosu Ampofo said President John Dramani Mahama had announced plans to introduce a minimum five per cent employment quota for persons with disabilities in both public and private institutions.
He explained that the proposed policy would be supported by tax incentives for private-sector employers who complied with the requirement.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Gender is processing 272 graduates with disabilities for employment opportunities through the Ghana Education Service.
The government is also pursuing legislative reforms to strengthen the rights and protection of persons with disabilities.
Dr Ofosu Ampofo said Cabinet had approved proposed amendments to the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2006 (Act 715), to bring the legislation in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
He cautioned, however, that improving the welfare of persons with disabilities required more than government policies, noting that negative social attitudes and inaccessible physical infrastructure continued to restrict their participation in society.
“The greatest obstacles are not physical conditions but society’s barriers — buildings without ramps, schools without learning aids, attitudes that mistake disability for inability,” he said.
The 2021 Population and Housing Census estimated that approximately 2.4 million people in Ghana live with disabilities, representing about eight per cent of the country’s population.
CEM plans Ability Village for persons with disabilities
Meanwhile, the Charismatic Evangelistic Ministry (CEM) has announced plans to establish an Ability Village to provide specialised healthcare, rehabilitation, vocational training and affordable accommodation for persons with disabilities.
The Head of CEM Ability Village, Fred Nuer, said the ministry’s charitable arm currently supports more than 7,000 persons with disabilities in Koforidua and surrounding communities in the Eastern Region.
He explained that the support includes free medical care, assistive devices, surgical procedures, food supplies and vocational training.
According to Mr Nuer, the proposed Ability Village will provide technical and vocational training in areas such as software development and hardware repairs, alongside counselling, assisted living and affordable housing.
The facility is also expected to offer specialised healthcare and rehabilitation services, with plans to establish similar centres across all 16 regions of Ghana.
CEM said the initiative was aimed at creating sustainable opportunities for persons with disabilities to develop their skills, achieve financial independence and participate meaningfully in society.
Both the government and CEM called on corporate institutions, development partners and religious organisations to support long-term initiatives aimed at improving the welfare and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
They further emphasised the need to involve persons with disabilities in decisions affecting their lives, rather than designing policies and interventions without their meaningful participation.
