Minority receives petition from unemployed graduates with disabilities

The Minority Caucus in Ghana's Parliament has received a petition from the Coalition of Unemployed Graduates with Disabilities, pleading for immediate action to enhance employment prospects for individuals with disabilities. Deputy Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Asokwa, Patricia Appiagyei, presented the petition on behalf of the Minority.

The Coalition is requesting three essential actions: the immediate hiring of qualified unemployed graduates with disabilities from their approved list, strict adherence to disability quotas in public sector recruitment, and incentives for private sector employers who hire qualified individuals with disabilities. The Minority Caucus affirmed the Coalition's concerns as valid, citing Article 29 of the 1992 Constitution, which prohibits exploitation and discrimination against persons with disabilities and mandates Parliament to enact laws to protect their rights.

The Caucus further pointed out that the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715), established the State's responsibility to assist persons with disabilities through public employment centers and offered tax rebates and incentives for employers hiring persons with disabilities in both the public and private sectors. The Caucus believes that Article 17 of the Constitution, which allows for affirmative measures to address social and economic imbalances, provides a perfect opportunity for Parliament to bolster existing measures and bridge the gap between legal protections and the realities faced by persons with disabilities.

The Minority Caucus is resolute in promoting policies that foster genuine employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to national development. The Caucus extends its appreciation to the Coalition for raising its concerns through parliamentary channels and assures them that the petition will receive the attention it deserves.

The Caucus remains dedicated to a Ghana where "ability, competence, and determination, not disability, define one's access to opportunity."