Government will enforce a minimum 5% employment quota for persons with disability across public and private sectors.
Private sector organizations that meet the quota will be given tax incentives.
President John Dramani Mahama disclosed this at the launch of the Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities policy.
“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 stated that every public sector through their ministers will have to report annually that they have met the 5% quota.
“And every public sector, through their ministers, will have to report annually that they have met the 5% quota,” he added.
President Mahama stated that government will introduce a Persons with Disability Amendment Act and a legislative instrument to modernize Ghana’s disability rights regime and ensure effective enforcement.
“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 penalties for non-compliance with accessibility standards will be increased in the new Act.
“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.
The President noted that the current penalty for not complying is three months in prison or GH¢600.
“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 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.
“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.