By Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo, GNA
Tema, Nov. 10, GNA – The Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled (GSPD) has appealed to the government to reinstate persons with disabilities (PWDs) formerly employed at road tollbooths, following concerns over the renewal of their employment arrangements under the Youth Employment Agency (YEA).
Mr Courage Mawuli Wormenor, National President of the GSPD, said some of the affected workers had returned to unemployment after their contracts were not renewed, while others still engaged by the agency were experiencing delays in salary payments.
He made the appeal in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), calling on the government to make provision in the 2027 budget for the re-engagement and long-term employment of the affected workers.
Road toll collection across the country was suspended in November 2021, following the then government’s announcement in the 2022 budget of its decision to abolish tolls on public roads and bridges.
The decision affected hundreds of tollbooth workers, including persons with disabilities who had been engaged to collect tolls at various points across the country.
The government subsequently announced plans to retrain and redeploy the affected workers to other public sector duties.
In February 2024, the YEA announced that it had employed 282 former tollbooth workers, mainly PWDs, as staff members of the Agency, with some assigned to serve as Regional and District Disability Desk Officers.
Mr Wormenor said the employment arrangement had provided an important opportunity for the affected workers to regain their livelihoods following the suspension of toll collection.
He added, however, that concerns over contract renewals and salary payments had left some of them uncertain about their employment and financial security.
He appealed to the government to review their employment arrangements and ensure that those affected were reinstated and provided with stable jobs.
Mr Wormenor said making their employment permanent would enable them to enjoy the benefits and job security available to other public sector workers.
He said the affected workers had previously depended on their tollbooth jobs to support themselves and their families, and that losing those opportunities had exposed them to economic difficulties.
He urged the government to consider their circumstances in the 2027 budget and provide resources to sustain their employment under the YEA.
Mr Wormenor said the reintegration of the former tollbooth workers into stable employment would demonstrate the government’s commitment to disability inclusion and the economic independence of PWDs.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
Writer: Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo, GNA
Email: [email protected]