TUC Launches landmark Disability Needs Assessment Report
The Trades Union Congress (TUC), Ghana, on Wednesday has launched a Workers with Disability Needs Assessment Report in Accra.
This is aimed at deepening workplace inclusion and improving conditions for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Ghana.
Speaking at the event, TUC Secretary-General, Brother Joshua Ansah, described the report as “a great achievement for the labour movement” and said it represents years of dialogue, research, and stakeholder engagement.
“We cannot advocate effectively without knowing the needs of the people we represent. This report captures the voices, challenges, and opportunities of our brothers and sisters with disabilities,” he said, adding that the findings will guide future advocacy and policy action.
Mr Ansah explained that the union’s push for better recognition of PWDs began several years ago after persistent complaints from disability leaders about the lack of support systems, including allowances for personal assistants.
He noted that consistent negotiations with policymakers eventually secured allowances and other benefits for PWDs, a milestone that has paved the way for this comprehensive assessment.
The study, supported by international partners, engaged disability groups, employers, and government representatives in a series of consultations and workshops to identify gaps and propose solutions for workplace inclusion.
A Research Officer at the Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU), and lead consultant for the assessment, Mr Nurudeen Sulemana, revealed that the study found several critical needs, including accessible transportation, workplace accommodations, assistive technologies, and disability-friendly infrastructure.
“Persons with disabilities make up about 8.6 per cent of Ghana’s population over 2.1 million people yet many workplaces lack ramps, elevators, interpreters, and other basic support systems,” Mr. Sulemana said.
“Our transportation system is also not disability-friendly, making it harder and more expensive for PWDs to commute to work.”
He stressed that employers, unions, and government agencies must collaborate to implement the report’s recommendations, which include strengthening advocacy, creating tax incentives for inclusive employers, and ensuring equal recruitment opportunities for PWDs.
“Research shows that when persons with disability are given the right tools and support, they are often more productive than their peers. This report is a blueprint for building truly inclusive workplaces,” he added.
The launch brought together representatives from government ministries, employers’ associations, and disability organisations, all of whom pledged support for implementing the report’s findings.
Participants were also trained on collective bargaining as a tool for workers with disabilities and on workplace readiness and professional development to enhance PWDs’ participation in the labour market.
The event concluded with a call for sustained advocacy and resource allocation to transform the findings into practical actions that will create inclusive and accessible workplaces across Ghana.
