By D.I. Laary
Accra, May 13, GNA – Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, has thrown his weight behind Ghana’s ratification of the African Disability Protocol, assuring disability advocates of the government’s firm support.
He pledged to engage the Foreign Minister to help advance the process, which is currently before Cabinet, as part of efforts to move the protocol to the parliamentary level for approval.
Speaking at a meeting with members of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) and other disability groups, including Sightsavers International, Dr Ayine explained that treaty ratification falls under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He said the ministry is responsible for preparing and submitting a Cabinet memorandum before Parliament can act under Article 75 of the Constitution, adding that his office had found no legal barriers to ratifying the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa.
“Our role is to ensure that such treaties are consistent with our Constitution and laws, and we are satisfied on that,” he said, adding, “I will speak with my colleague, the Foreign Minister, and support Cabinet approval so that the process can move forward.”
The engagement followed a request by the Ghana Disability Organisations to discuss delays in ratifying the Protocol to the African Disabilities Protocol, which has remained pending since 2018.
In her submission, Ms Veronica Denyo Kofiedu, the Co-convener of the Network of Women with Disabilities, Ghana, and Executive Director of the Women with Disability Development and Advocacy Organisation (WODAO), said the delay was unusual given Ghana’s record on human rights treaties.
“We have been advocating for the ratification of the African Disability Protocol for several years. Ghana is usually among the first to ratify such treaties, so this delay is worrying,” she said.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview, she described the engagement as encouraging and timely, noting that it had provided clarity on the status and renewed hope that the long-awaited ratification would finally be advanced.
“We feel privileged to have engaged the Attorney-General and his team. He has committed to speaking to the Foreign Minister to help fast-track the ratification, and we are taking him at his word,” she said.
She noted that most African countries had already ratified the Protocol and stressed that its ratification would bring real change to persons with disabilities, especially women and girls in Ghana.
“It will institutionalise protection of our rights, eliminate stigma and discrimination, and allow persons with disabilities to live freely and participate fully in society,” she said.
On behalf of the delegation, Mr Alexander Tetteh, the Executive Director of the Centre for Employment of Persons with Disabilities, also raised concerns about the pending amendment of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2006 (Act 715).
He said the current law had enormous gaps, particularly regarding women, youth and persons with disabilities, especially in disaster situations.
“Women with disabilities face multiple marginalisations, yet the law does not adequately address their needs,” he said.
Mr Tetteh said the amendment process had begun about four years ago, but its current status remained unclear.
He later told the GNA that the Attorney-General said he had not yet been briefed on the amended Bill but assured the group he would seek a full update and provide feedback.
“That shows our visit was timely and necessary. It reminds us that we must continue to engage and push for action,” he added.
On his part, Mr Mohammed Abdul-Razak, Social Integration and Advocacy Programmes Manager at Sightsavers International, highlighted the importance of aligning international agreements with domestic laws.
He cited the Marrakesh Treaty, ratified by Ghana in 2016, and noted that its benefits remained limited due to several gaps in the country’s national legislation, such as the Copyright Act.
“If treaties are not domesticated, they cannot be operationalised,” he said, urging that provisions of the African Disability Protocol be incorporated into the pending disability bill.
He called for sustained advocacy and coordination among stakeholders to ensure both the ratification of the Protocol and the passage of a strengthened disability law.
The disability groups were encouraged to maintain regular engagement with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Gender, Children and Social Protection, which are leading the ratification process and the proposed amendment of the Disability Act, respectively.
The African Disability Protocol (ADP), adopted by the African Union in 2018, became legally binding in June 2024 after the required ratifications.
Though it is expected to benefit over 80 million persons with disabilities across the continent, Ghana has yet to ratify despite sustained advocacy.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: D.I. Laary