As a person with a disability, I approach the upcoming 2024 elections with a mix of hope and skepticism.
Both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have made bold promises in their manifestos, particularly concerning the welfare and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
These commitments are noteworthy, but they raise an important question: Will these promises be fulfilled, or will they simply remain electioneering rhetoric?
The NDC’s manifesto highlights a broad commitment to social inclusion, aiming to address the needs of persons with disabilities alongside other marginalized groups such as women, youth, and older people.
This is a welcome development, as social inclusion is crucial for ensuring that persons with disabilities can fully participate in society without facing discrimination or exclusion.
However, the key to realizing this vision lies in the specifics of implementation. The manifesto speaks of promoting equal access to public services and protecting persons with disabilities from abuse, but how will this be achieved?
Will there be dedicated resources, policy frameworks, and monitoring mechanisms to ensure that persons with disabilities truly benefit from these promises?
Both the NDC and the NPP have pledged to provide free tertiary education for PWDs, a promise that could be transformative if implemented effectively.
Education is a powerful tool for empowerment, and removing financial barriers to higher education could open doors for many persons with disabilities who might otherwise be unable to pursue their academic dreams. However, access to education goes beyond tuition fees.
It requires accessible learning environments, inclusive curricula, and support services that address the unique needs of learners with disabilities. It is essential that these considerations be part of the policy implementation if this promise is to have its intended impact.
Employment is another critical area where both parties have made significant promises. The NDC’s commitment to mandating a minimum of 5% hiring of persons with disabilities in the public sector is a bold step toward addressing the unemployment crisis among this marginalized population.
Similarly, the NPP’s promise to set quotas for the recruitment of persons with disabilities in public sector employment shows an understanding of the need for affirmative action.
However, quotas alone will not be enough. There must be a concerted effort to create an enabling environment for persons with disabilities in the workplace, including reasonable accommodations, accessibility, and anti-discrimination policies.
Without these supports, the quotas may become a mere box-ticking exercise rather than a meaningful step toward inclusive employment.
The NDC’s mention of targeted support for women with disabilities is a critical acknowledgment of the intersectional challenges faced by this group. Women with disabilities often face double discrimination on account of both their gender and their disability making it even more difficult for them to access opportunities and services.
Targeted initiatives to promote their welfare and empowerment are essential, but these must be accompanied by political zeal and strong monitoring and accountability mechanisms to ensure that the intended beneficiaries truly receive the support promised.
The NDC’s proposal to establish a National Parasports Festival is an encouraging sign of progress toward inclusivity in sports. Sports can be a powerful platform for challenging stereotypes and showcasing the talents of persons with disabilities.
However, this initiative must be supported by investments in accessible sports facilities, training programs, and opportunities for persons with disabilities to participate at all levels of sports.
Inclusivity in sports should not be limited to a single festival but should be an ongoing commitment to ensuring that persons with disabilities have equal opportunities to engage in physical activities and sports.
The NPP’s promise to ensure that public infrastructure and services are accessible to persons with disabilities is a foundational requirement for inclusion. Accessibility is not a luxury; it is a basic right that enables persons with disabilities to participate fully in society.
The NPP’s proposal to increase the share of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) allocated to persons with disabilities by 5% is a positive step, but it must be coupled with a rigorous enforcement of accessibility standards across all public infrastructure projects.
Accessibility should not be an afterthought but a fundamental consideration in all development initiatives.
The manifestos of both the NDC and the NPP offer hope for a more inclusive Ghana, where the rights and needs of persons with disabilities are prioritized.
However, the true test of these promises will be in their implementation. As a person with a disability, I call on both parties to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete actions to fulfill their commitments. This requires political will, adequate resources, and the involvement of persons with disabilities in the planning and execution of these policies.
The 2024 elections present an opportunity for Ghana to make significant strides toward disability inclusion. Let us not squander this opportunity with empty promises.
By Abdul Wahab Adam
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