By Comfort Sena Fetrie-Akagbor, GNA
Tema, April 02, GNA- Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) have called on the government to prioritise the recruitment of graduates with disabilities who have completed their mandatory national service.
They said the call was necessary to address the high unemployment rate among qualified PWDs and to promote inclusive participation in the public sector.
Mr Steve Akonai, a member of the PWD community, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Tema that unemployment among persons with disabilities remained significantly higher than the national average.
He said the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) continued to advocate targeted recruitment policies to ensure equal opportunities for PWDs.
Mr Akonai appealed to the government to enforce policies that promote inclusion and create sustainable employment pathways for trained graduates with disabilities.
“This initiative aligns with broader efforts to implement the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715), as well as the National Medium-Term Development Policy Framework, which emphasises inclusivity, particularly for young graduates,” he said.
Mr Joseph Akuertey, also a member of the PWD community, called on the government to establish dedicated vocational and technical training centres to help reduce unemployment among PWDs.
He stressed the need for practical and industry-focused training to promote independence and reduce reliance on the District Assemblies Common Fund.
Mr Akuertey also advocated the creation of specialised job placement programmes and skills development centres to train PWDs in areas such as tailoring, dressmaking, shoe repair, and sachet water production.
He said such initiatives would empower PWDs to become economically independent and contribute meaningfully to national development.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/George-Ramsey Benamba