Government Action on Disability Policy
A Global Survey
Part II - Government Replies as Country Profiles

Ghana

Download 'Government Reports on the UN Standard Rules' as a PDF file (440 KB)

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© Dimitris Michailakis 1997

Department of Social Welfare (20 February 1996)
General policy

Since the adoption of the Rules the Government has not done anything to convey the message of full participation.

Legislation

The rights of persons with disabilities are protected by general legislation. There are judicial mechanisms available to protect the rights of persons with disabilities. This includes due process (legal remedy through courts). Administrative and other non-judicial bodies include an Ombudsman and a Governmental body (administrative).

The general legislation applies to all categories of disabled persons with respect to: education, employment, the right to marriage, the right to parenthood/family, political rights, access to court-of-law, right to privacy and property rights. The following benefits are guaranteed by law to persons with disabilities: health and medical care, training, rehabilitation and counselling, financial security, employment, independent living.

No new legislation concerning disability has been enacted since the adoption of the Standard Rules.

Accessibility

Persons with disabilities are entitled to free public transport (road and rail). Special transport is without restriction available for all purposes. When planning to build accessible environments the most difficult obstacles are the following: attitudinal, economic/budgetary factors, lack of legislation and regulations, lack of co-operation from other organizations/institutions, and lack of enforcement mechanisms.

Sign language for deaf people is recognized as the official language for deaf people. There are no Government measures for encouraging media and other forms of public information services to make their services accessible for persons with disabilities. No services are provided in order to facilitate information and communication between persons with disabilities and other persons.

Organizations of persons with disabilities

The following organizations are represented in the national umbrella organization: the Ghana Association of the Blind; the Ghana National Association of the Deaf; the Ghana National Society of the Physically Disabled. There are no legal provisions mandating the representatives of persons with disabilities to participate in policy-making or to work with Governmental institutions. Organizations are sometimes consulted when laws and regulations with a disability aspect are being prepared. Consultations take place at the national level. The Government financially supports existing or new organizations. Persons with disabilities participate to a very limited extent in Government, judiciary and political parties, to some extent in legislature and to a great extent in NGOs. The organizations have the role to: advocate rights and improved services, mobilize persons with disabilities, contribute to public awareness, provide services, and promote/organize income generating activities.