The government will mandate that people with disabilities have a minimum of 5% of jobs in both the public and commercial sectors.
If private sector companies reach the quota, they will receive tax breaks.
When President John Dramani Mahama unveiled the Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities policy, he revealed this.
“We would enforce a minimum 5% employment quota for persons with disability. 5% employment quota for persons with disability. And this will be across public and private sectors,” he said.
He stated that tax incentives will be provided to private sector organisations that fulfilled the quota.
“Every public sector, through their ministers, will have to report annually that they have met the 5% quota,” the president said.
He further stated that each public sector, via its ministers, would be required to provide an annual report confirming that they had reached the 5% limit.
Ghana’s disability rights regime would be modernised and effectively enforced through the introduction of a Persons with Disability Amendment Act and other legal tools, according to President Mahama.
“We will introduce a Persons with Disability Amendment Act and a legislative instrument to modernize Ghana’s disability rights regime and ensure effective enforcement. So this new amendment act would amend the Persons with Disability Act that was passed in 2006 in order to bring it up to date with current realities,” he stated.
He disclosed that the new Act will enhance the consequences for failing to comply with accessibility criteria.
“We will enforce the Ghana accessibility standards for all public buildings and facilities. 2026 will be 10 years since the enforcement of accessibility to public buildings was meant to be enforced. Therefore, in the Amendment Act to Act 715, we will increase the term of imprisonment for persons who refuse to comply. And we will also increase the fines that they have to pay,” he declared.
According to the President, noncompliance currently carries a three-month jail sentence or GH¢600.
“Act 715 says the penalty for not complying is three months in prison or 600 cedis. 600 cedis is too small. So in the new Act, we are going to increase the penalty and maybe we increase the imprisonment from three months to six months,” he stated.
All State Ministers were instructed by President Mahama to examine their responsibilities under the Disability Act and submit action plans for complete compliance as soon as feasible.
“I’ve directed all Ministers of State to review their obligations under the Disability Act and present action plans for full compliance within the shortest possible time. Every year, as part of the obligation of Ministers, they’ll have to provide a report on how they’ve complied with the Disability Act,” he continued.
Source: newsthemegh.com