'Disability Law Exists Only on Paper' – GFD Secretary Laments Poor Enforcement of Accessibility Act

The Upper West Regional Secretary of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations (GFD), Seidu Kamwinenaane Ibrahim, has criticized the poor enforcement of the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715), describing the law as one that "exists only on paper" nearly two decades after its passage.

According to him, the continued failure to enforce the Act has left many public institutions inaccessible to persons with disabilities, denying them equal opportunities to education, employment and other essential public services.

Speaking on Info Radio, Mr. Ibrahim estimated that enforcement of the law stands at only about 10 percent, citing several government institutions in the Upper West Region that remain inaccessible to persons with disabilities.

"If you look at government institutions like the Regional Minister's Office and the Education Office, they are not disability-friendly," he said.

Mr. Ibrahim also expressed concern over the state of infrastructure in special schools, particularly the Wa School for the Blind, which he said falls far below the standards expected of a facility dedicated to persons with visual impairment.

According to him, deteriorating classroom floors and poor learning conditions at the school undermine efforts to provide quality education for learners with disabilities. "The law is written nicely on paper, but its enforcement is problematic," he stressed.

Beyond infrastructure, Mr. Ibrahim said inadequate public education on disability rights continues to fuel discrimination and exclusion against persons with disabilities.

He noted that inclusive education remains a major challenge, with many schools lacking accessible facilities and support systems needed to accommodate learners with disabilities.

He further observed that many teachers have not received adequate training in inclusive education, making it difficult for them to effectively support children with special educational needs.

Mr. Ibrahim called on government agencies, educational authorities and other stakeholders to fully implement the provisions of the Persons with Disability Act to ensure equal access to public services and quality education for all Ghanaians, regardless of their physical condition.

He maintained that without effective enforcement of existing laws, persons with disabilities will continue to face barriers that limit their full participation in national development.