The Member of Parliament for Ablekuma North, Hon. Ewurabena Aubynn, has called for stronger policy reforms to deepen disability inclusion across the country. She made the call in Parliament during the commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Speaking on the floor of the House, Hon. Aubynn commended government for the introduction of free tertiary education for persons with disabilities, a policy launched on October 25, 2025. She noted that the initiative is not a privilege but a constitutional right guaranteed under Article 25 of the 1992 Constitution and the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715).
Citing figures from the 2021 Population and Housing Census, she revealed that 2.1 million Ghanaians, representing 8 percent of the population, live with disabilities, with the prevalence being higher among females and in rural communities. She stressed that the new policy must be supported with clear reforms to ensure it truly benefits those it intends to serve.
Hon. Aubynn proposed sustainable financing for the Students Loan Trust Fund and the GETFund to guarantee long-term support for students with disabilities. She also urged strict enforcement of the Ghana Building Code GS 1207:2018 to eliminate physical barriers in schools, public offices and other essential service centres.
She further called for the provision of assistive technologies, including sign language interpreters and braille materials, to improve learning and communication for persons with disabilities. She added that mobility and welfare support such as transport stipends, as well as improved data collection and monitoring systems, are needed to help track progress and address existing gaps.
Hon. Aubynn also emphasized the importance of public sensitization to reduce stigma and discrimination, while advocating for stronger employment pathways through internships and fair recruitment processes for persons with disabilities.
She maintained that the success of the free tertiary education initiative depends heavily on accessibility and urged full enforcement of accessibility standards alongside sustained policy reforms to build an inclusive society.
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com
