Ghana’s journey towards disability inclusion reached a historic milestone in 2006 with the passage of the Persons with Disability Act (Act 715).
Spearheaded during the presidency of John Agyekum Kufuor.
The legislation was hailed as a transformative step towards justice, equality and social integration for persons with disabilities (PWDs). Nearly two decades later, however, the stark reality reveals a troubling gap between legislative promise and lived experience.
The inaugural John Agyekum Kufuor Annual Disability (JAKAD) Lecture, held in Accra, served as both a tribute to the former president, disability activism, and a civic reckoning.
It acknowledged his visionary leadership in enacting Act 715 and highlighted the irony that he now uses a wheelchair, underscoring the universal nature of disability and the urgency of inclusion.
Ghana’s cultural heritage offers deep roots for disability inclusion. From the Manden Charter of 1235, which proclaimed the sanctity of life and protection for the vulnerable, to the inclusive practices of precolonial Asante and Gonja societies, African traditions have long embraced communal care.
These historical precedents challenge the notion that disability rights are solely a modern or Western concern.
Achievement
The Act 715, as a landmark achievement, promised access to education, employment, health care and public services for PWDs.
It established the National Council on Persons with Disability (NCPD) and mandated that all public buildings be made accessible within 10 years, a deadline that expired in 2016.
Yet, in 2025, many government institutions remain inaccessible.
A recent accessibility audit revealed that only 14 per cent of public facilities had retrofitting, eight per cent had accessible toilets, and none of the transport systems met accessibility standards.
The implementation gaps are not merely technical failures; they are moral contradictions. In one instance, wheelchair users invited to a disability policy meeting had to be physically carried upstairs, exposing the disconnect between Ghana’s legislative commitments and actual practice.
The NCPD, though established, lacks enforcement authority and adequate funding. Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are similarly under-resourced, despite executive guidelines issued in 2017. In some cases, the Assemblies misappropriate the funds meant for PWDs.
It is instructive to note that, globally, over 1.3 billion people live with disabilities, with Africa accounting for 40 per cent of this population. In Ghana, the number of PWDs rose from 737,743 in 2010 to over two million in 2021.
Accidents, ageing, and the widespread health impact of reckless mining activities make disability so pronounced. Disability is also closely linked to poverty, and exclusion can cost up to seven per cent of GDP in low- and middle-income countries.
Inclusion
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasise inclusion, yet Ghana’s progress remains uneven.
Compared to international benchmarks, Ghana’s Act 715 falls short. South Africa’s Equality Act and White Paper on Disability offer stronger enforcement.
Kenya’s legislation better integrates the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
The United States and the United Kingdom provide robust anti-discrimination frameworks and litigation pathways.
Ghana’s Act lacks provisions for political participation, housing rights, and gender-based protections, and does not mandate reasonable accommodation.
Despite these challenges, disability activists like the Ghana Blind Union and Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) have used Act 715 as a mobilising tool.
Engagements with policymakers and audits have raised public awareness, but legal action remains rare.
The unreported case of Dr Festus Nii Boye Boye vs Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (2016) demonstrates the Act’s potential when enforced.
To move from mere promise to substantive practice, several reforms are urgently needed:
• Introduce disability awareness curricula in schools.
• Fully align Act 715 with the CRPD.
• Broaden the legal definition of disability to include cultural, psychosocial, and intersectional dimensions and housing rights.
• Empower the NCPD with quasi-judicial authority and adequate funding.
• Mandate regular accessibility audits of public infrastructure.
• Integrate disability considerations into all policy and budgeting processes.
• Establish district-level assessment centres for early detection.
• Make the Act accessible in Braille, audio, and simplified formats.
• Incorporate disability rights into training for police, judiciary and media professionals.
Inclusion
Disability inclusion is not a technical adjustment; it is a moral reckoning. It is not a niche concern; it is a national test.
It is not a favour to the few; it is a measure of our collective humanity.
Naming the JAKAD Lecture after President Kufuor, while he is alive, is both a tribute and a challenge to continue the work he began and ensure that no one is left behind.
As Ghana looks ahead, the question remains: Will we keep faith with our promises?
The stark reality of disability legislation is not a verdict; it is a challenge.
One that demands empathy, action, and the audacity to build a society where inclusion is not aspirational, but actual.
The writer is a lecturer, UPSA/Executive Director, Rights of Youth and Disability (RYD) International.
