Stakeholders in Ghana’s disability sector have called for the ratification of the African Disability Protocol (ADP) to strengthen the protection and inclusion of persons with disabilities, particularly women and girls.
The call was made at an Inception and Stakeholder Engagement Workshop organized by the Women with Disability Development and Advocacy Organization (WODAO) in collaboration with the Network of Women with Disabilities Africa (NEWDA) in Accra on Friday May 8, 2026.
The workshop, held under the project titled: “Strengthening the Women with Disabilities Movement and Advancing the Ratification of the African Disability Protocol in Ghana,” brought together parliamentarians, civil society organizations, disability rights advocates, journalists, government representatives and development partners.
The programme aimed at introducing the NEWDA collaborative grant project, strengthening stakeholder coordination for advocacy, building understanding of the African Disability Protocol and promoting inclusive participation among women with disabilities.
Professor Augustina Naami, Convener of NEWDA, said women with disabilities continued to face discrimination, exclusion and limited participation in education, employment and leadership.
She noted that women and girls with disabilities were more vulnerable to violence, unemployment and poverty due to multiple barriers in society.
Prof. Naami said although Ghana had enacted the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2006 (Act 715) and the National Gender Policy, the frameworks did not adequately address the specific needs of women and girls with disabilities.
She therefore urged stakeholders to support the ratification of the African Disability Protocol to strengthen the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities.
“Our vision is to create an inclusive society where women with disabilities thrive with equality, dignity and full participation,” she said.
Hon. Frank Asiedu Bekoe, Member of Parliament for Suhum and representative of the Parliamentary Caucus on Persons with Disabilities, reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to disability inclusion and policy reforms.
He said ratification of the protocol would reinforce the protection, dignity and participation of persons with disabilities, especially women and girls who faced intersecting forms of discrimination.
The MP commended WODAO and NEWDA for initiating the engagement and pledged Parliament’s support towards advancing disability-inclusive legislation and advocacy.
Mr. Mohammed Abdul-Razak, Programme Manager at Sightsavers Ghana, expressed concern over Ghana’s delay in ratifying the African Disability Protocol despite the country’s leadership role in promoting disability inclusion on the continent.
He said the protocol, adopted by the African Union in 2018, came into force in 2024 after receiving the required ratifications from member states.
“It is worrying that Ghana is yet to ratify the protocol despite its commitment to disability rights,” he stated.
Mr. Abdul-Razak urged Parliament, government institutions and disability advocates to intensify efforts towards the ratification and implementation of the protocol.
Mr. Moses Fordjour, representative of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations (GFD), stressed the need for collaboration within the disability movement to achieve meaningful reforms.
He pledged the support of GFD to WODAO and NEWDA and called for collective efforts towards the domestication of the protocol’s provisions within Ghana’s legal framework.
Ms. Veronica Denyo Kofiedu, Executive Director of WODAO and Project Lead, said the initiative formed part of a broader advocacy programme funded by ADD International under the Disability Justice Fund for Women.
She said the project sought to strengthen leadership among women with disabilities, amplify their voices and build partnerships to influence national policy.
Ms. Kofiedu disclosed that nine other women-led grassroots disability organizations across the country were also undertaking advocacy activities to support the ratification campaign.
Dr Joseph Kobla Wemakor, Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), in a solidarity message, pledged the organization’s support towards promoting disability rights advocacy and inclusive governance.
He stressed the role of the media in amplifying the voices of persons with disabilities and ensuring that disability issues remained visible in public discourse and policy discussions.
The workshop ended with renewed calls for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to advance the ratification and implementation of the African Disability Protocol in Ghana.
Source:HRRG