LocationsParliament, Government, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities and development partners, commit to accelerating the passage and implementation of the Revised Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2026.
Renewed Momentum for Reenactment of Ghana’s Disability Act
May 29, 2026
A participant shares perspectives during discussions on strengthening disability rights, inclusion and accessibility through the Revised Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2026.
@Vanessa Fosu/UNDP Ghana
Nearly two decades after Ghana enacted the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2006 (Act 715), disability advocates are intensifying calls for its reenactment as over 2.1 millions of Ghanaians with disabilities continue to face barriers to participation, accessibility and equal opportunity.
While the Act marked a significant milestone in advancing disability rights, evolving realities and Ghana's commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) have underscored the need for a revised legal framework that better reflects international standards and addresses persistent gaps in accessibility, inclusion,protection and participation.
Against this backdrop, Parliamentarians, government representatives, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), civil society actors and development partners gathered for an engagement session with the Parliamentary Caucus on Disability Issues to renew advocacy for the passage of the Revised Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2026, and accelerate efforts toward its implementation.
Convened by the Ghana National Association of the Deaf (GNAD) and supported by the United Nations Development Programme Ghana (UNDP) through the United Nations Global Disability Fund (UNGDF), the dialogue provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss the status of the bill, identify key challenges and build consensus around a roadmap for its timely transmission, consideration and passage.
Participants noted that despite years of advocacy and consultations, the revised legislation is yet to complete the legislative process, delaying critical protections and opportunities for millions of persons with disabilities across the country. Speakers emphasized that the bill presents an opportunity not only to strengthen rights and protections, but also to advance Ghana's broader commitment to inclusive development and the principle of leaving no one behind.
Throughout the engagement, stakeholders stressed that the reenactment of the law must be accompanied by effective implementation and accountability mechanisms. Discussions highlighted persistent accessibility challenges that continue to limit the participation of persons with disabilities in public life, including barriers within public spaces, institutions and services.
A recurring theme throughout the dialogue was the principle of "Nothing About Us Without Us." Representatives of OPDs underscored the importance of ensuring that persons with disabilities remain at the centre of all decisions affecting their lives and are meaningfully involved in shaping, reviewing and implementing the revised legislation.
Speaking during the engagement, Dr. Edward Ampratwum, Head of the Transformative Governance Cluster at UNDP Ghana said
"At UNDP Ghana, we believe inclusive governance is essential to sustainable development. We remain committed to working with Government, Parliament, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities and partners to advance policies and reforms that protect rights, expand opportunities and ensure that no one is left behind."
Dr. Edward Ampratwum, Head of the Transformative Governance Cluster at UNDP Ghana, reaffirming UNDP's commitment to supporting disability-inclusive governance and ensuring that no one is left behind.
@Vanessa Fosu/UNDP Ghana
Peter Anomah Kordieh, Executive Director of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD), called for renewed urgency and collaboration among stakeholders to move the bill forward.
"For nearly two decades, Ghana has discussed strengthening disability rights. Persons with disabilities must remain at the centre of this process because nothing about us should be done without us," he stated.
Peter Anomah Kordieh, Executive Director of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD), addressing participants during the engagement on the Revised Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2026.
@Vanessa Fosu/UNDP Ghana
Similarly, Juventus Duorinaah, Executive Director of the Ghana National Association of the Deaf (GNAD), emphasized that advancing disability rights goes beyond legislative reform.
"Advancing disability rights is not charity, it is a matter of dignity, equality and accountable governance. Passing the bill is only part of the journey; we must also ensure real implementation, accessibility and inclusion so that persons with disabilities can fully participate in national life," he said.
Juventus Duorinaah, Executive Director of the Ghana National Association of the Deaf (GNAD), addressing participants during the engagement on the Revised Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2026.
@Vanessa Fosu/UNDP Ghana
The engagement concluded with renewed commitments from Parliament, government institutions, OPDs, development partners and civil society organizations to strengthen collaboration and advocacy efforts around the bill. Participants agreed on the need for sustained engagement, stronger accountability mechanisms and continued efforts to ensure meaningful participation of persons with disabilities throughout the legislative process.
As Ghana works toward a more inclusive future, stakeholders expressed optimism that the commitments made during the engagement would help transform years of advocacy into concrete legislative action and lasting improvements in the lives of persons with disabilities.
