Exposing the protected: Ghana’s disability laws and the rights of disabled people

Abstract

Disabled people in Ghana continue to experience various forms of discrimination and social exclusion. These occur despite the fact that there are several anti-discriminatory laws that are meant to protect the rights of disabled people and facilitate their participation in mainstream social, political and economic activities. As it is, the laws have not completely eroded the discrimination and in some instances appear to even institutionalise the discrimination that disabled people experience. It is important that the state pays more attention to amending aspects of these laws and putting them into practice.

In search of universal health coverage – highlighting the accessibility of health care to students with disabilities in Ghana: a qualitative study

“…Here, the Acts advocate for the provision of sign language interpreters and other support services to facilitate access to health care, however, there appears to be limited enforcement of this regulations, partly due to the lack of legislative instrument as well as priority. Even with the current disability Act 715, there is no specification regarding support services that could promote access to care for students with disabilities (31,32). The findings, therefore, recommend that the current policies and strategies, including the provisions and requirements in the disability Act 715, should be revised, prioritized and enforced to ensure an adequate supply of support services.…”

“…These efforts include the passage of the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715) and subsequent ratification of the Act in 2012 (31,32). The Act was passed to promote issues such as access to quality health services, adequate medical rehabilitation, employment, rights, education, transportation, housing facilities as well as the participation of persons with disabilities in cultural activities (31,32). In accordance with the Act 2006 (Act 715), the National Council on Persons with Disability was established in 2010 to supervise its implementation.…”

In search of universal health coverage – highlighting the accessibility of health care to students with disabilities in Ghana: a qualitative study

“…In accordance with global regulations, several efforts have recently been employed by the Ghanaian government to improve the well-being of people with disabilities. These efforts include the passage of the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715) and subsequent ratification of the Act in 2012 [31,32]. The Act was passed to promote issues such as access to quality health services, adequate medical rehabilitation, employment, rights, education, transportation, housing facilities as well as the participation of persons with disabilities in cultural activities [31,32].…”

“…These efforts include the passage of the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715) and subsequent ratification of the Act in 2012 [31,32]. The Act was passed to promote issues such as access to quality health services, adequate medical rehabilitation, employment, rights, education, transportation, housing facilities as well as the participation of persons with disabilities in cultural activities [31,32]. Per the Act, the National Council on Persons with Disability was established in 2010 to supervise its implementation.…”

In search of universal health coverage – highlighting the accessibility of health care to students with disabilities in Ghana: a qualitative study

“…These efforts include the passage of the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715) and subsequent ratification of the Act in 2012 (31,32). The Act was passed to promote issues such as access to quality health services, adequate medical rehabilitation, employment, rights, education, transportation, housing facilities as well as the participation of persons with disabilities in cultural activities (31,32). In accordance with the Act, the National Council on Persons with Disability was established in 2010 to supervise its implementation.…”