Deputy Minister for Education and Member of Parliament for Builsa South, Dr Clement Abas Apaak, has called for urgent action to strengthen the enforcement of disability rights and remove barriers that continue to hinder the full participation of persons with disabilities in Ghana.
Making a statement on the floor of Parliament to commemorate the National Day of Persons with Disabilities on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, Dr Apaak said the occasion should serve as a national call to reflection, accountability, and decisive action.
According to him, this year’s theme, “From Act to Action: Finalising Reforms and Enforcing Disability Rights Now,” underscores the need to move beyond policy declarations and legislative intentions towards practical measures that improve the lives of persons with disabilities.
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“The rights of persons with disabilities are only meaningful when they are protected, implemented, and experienced in everyday life,” he stated.
Dr Apaak noted that according to the 2021 Population and Housing Census, more than two million Ghanaians live with one form of disability or another.
He stressed that beyond the statistics are individuals with talents, aspirations, and immense potential whose inclusion is essential to Ghana’s development.
He acknowledged that while Ghana has made significant strides through the enactment of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2006 (Act 715), and the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, many challenges remain.
The Deputy Minister observed that many persons with disabilities continue to face barriers in accessing quality education, healthcare, employment, transportation, public infrastructure, information, and social protection services.
He said inadequate accessibility, limited economic opportunities, and persistent discrimination continue to undermine the dignity of persons with disabilities and restrict their ability to contribute fully to national development.
Dr Apaak welcomed ongoing efforts to review and strengthen Ghana’s disability legislation, stressing that Parliament has a responsibility to support reforms that align with international standards and provide stronger protection for persons with disabilities.
He, however, maintained that legislation alone would not be enough, calling for effective implementation, adequate resourcing of institutions, and measurable outcomes.
He stressed the work of the Parliamentary Caucus on Disability, noting that its participation in the 19th Session of the Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities Forum in South Africa had provided valuable opportunities to learn from global best practices.
Dr Apaak called on ministries, departments, and agencies, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, the private sector, civil society organisations, and development partners to renew their commitment to building an inclusive society.
“We must create accessible schools, workplaces, healthcare facilities, transportation systems, and public spaces. We must promote inclusive employment and ensure that persons with disabilities are involved in decisions that affect their lives,” he said.
He reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to building a Ghana where every citizen can live with dignity, exercise their rights, and realise their full potential regardless of disability.
“Together, let us build a nation where inclusion is not an aspiration but a reality, where accessibility is not an exception but a standard, and where no Ghanaian is left behind because of disability,” he added.