Mental Health Day 2026: Group demands immediate action on jobs, financing and inclusion of PWDs

The Ghana Alliance for Mental Health and Development, or the Mental Health Alliance, is urging the government, development partners, civil society organizations, and the private sector to take concrete actions to promote inclusive employment for people with disabilities in Ghana. This demand was highlighted in a statement issued to mark World Mental Health Day.

The Alliance emphasizes that individuals with physical disabilities and those with lived experiences of mental health conditions must be granted equal opportunities for employment, access to quality support services, and the ability to participate fully in society.

Following a two-day meeting organized jointly by ADD International and BasicNeeds-Ghana, the Mental Health Alliance outlined four priority areas that require immediate attention. The research project, commissioned and funded by ADD International, focuses on disability inclusion activism. The Alliance proposes that five percent of local government staffing positions should be reserved for people with disabilities, backed by clear implementation and monitoring procedures.

Additionally, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are urged to ensure that five percent of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) allocation is strictly applied to skills development and income-generating activities for people with physical, mental, and psychosocial disabilities.

The Alliance also calls for increased employment of people with disabilities, especially young people and women, in the corporate and private sectors, which can be achieved by fully implementing the Ghana Labour Law and Disability Law. They commend the government for including four mental health conditions under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) but demand a significant increase in mental health financing through the Mental Health Fund and adequate resourcing via domestic revenue mobilization. This move will support the full implementation of the Mental Health Law.

Furthermore, the Alliance calls for an end to discrimination against people with disabilities, urging influencers and institutions to work together to challenge stigma, prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination. They urge them to actively promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in socio-economic, civic, and political activities.

The Alliance emphasizes the importance of involving people with disabilities and those with lived experiences of mental health conditions in decision-making, particularly in the design of programs and services intended for them. They stress the media's responsibility to address social stigma by using respectful language, protecting the dignity and privacy of people with lived experiences, and shifting from sensationalism to responsible, rights-based reporting.