The Challenged Foundation has launched a nationwide campaign urging the Government of Ghana to enforce existing accessibility laws and ensure that persons with disabilities (PWDs) enjoy equal access to education and public services.
The initiative follows the government’s groundbreaking announcement of free tertiary education for persons with disabilities — a policy widely hailed as a major step toward inclusion and empowerment. While applauding this progressive move, the Foundation notes that many individuals with disabilities still face significant barriers in accessing schools, universities, public offices, and transport systems across the country.
According to the Foundation, several public institutions lack ramps, elevators, accessible toilets, and designated parking spaces for persons with disabilities. Many buildings and facilities, including courts and district assemblies, remain physically inaccessible, forcing students and citizens to rely on others for basic mobility — a situation that strips them of dignity and independence.
“These challenges are not just inconveniences; they are violations of rights,” the Foundation stated, citing Section 6 of the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715), which requires public spaces to provide appropriate facilities for accessibility. Article 29 of the 1992 Constitution also guarantees the right of persons with disabilities to equal access and protection from discrimination.
The Foundation’s petition, now open for public signatures at change.org/OpenTheDoorsForPWDs, calls for:
Full enforcement of them Persons with Disability Act (Act 715) and Building Regulations (L.I. 2465);
Accessibility audits and retrofitting of public facilities;
Disability-friendly educational institutions, transport systems, and public offices;
Accessibility desks at all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs);
Public education to promote inclusion and awareness.
Mrs. Veronica L. Amartey-Owusu, Founder of The Challenged Foundation, emphasized that the campaign is not about seeking special privileges, but about demanding equal rights guaranteed by law.
“It is heartbreaking when a student gains admission to a university but cannot enter a classroom. Accessibility is not charity — it is justice,” she said.
The Foundation is calling on government agencies, educational institutions, and the general public to support this movement to make Ghana a country where all citizens, regardless of ability, can live, learn, and contribute with dignity.
Foundation Launches Campaign to Enforce Disability Accessibility Laws
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