PWDs Vow to Continue Campaign Until Government Responds to Petition

A representative of the Coalition of Unemployed Graduates with Disabilities speaks to the media during the group's campaign over employment and other concerns.

Persons with disabilities have vowed to continue their campaign for greater access to employment and government action on their concerns until they receive what they consider a meaningful response from the authorities.

The Coalition of Unemployed Graduates with Disabilities staged a picketing exercise at the Jubilee House in Accra on Wednesday, August 19, as part of its campaign over the employment challenges confronting qualified graduates with disabilities.

The group has repeatedly called on the government to implement measures aimed at improving the recruitment of persons with disabilities into the public sector, including the implementation of a five per cent employment quota.

Protesters Reject Petition Handover to Presidential Staffer

The demonstration took a new turn when the protesters declined to hand their petition to Presidential Staffer Dr Samuel Ayeh, who had been delegated to receive it on behalf of the government.

The coalition said it wanted its concerns presented directly to a senior government official with the authority to take decisive action, including the Chief of Staff, the Vice President or President John Dramani Mahama.

Coalition Convener Gilbert Boateng said the decision was not intended as disrespect to Dr Ayeh but reflected the group's frustration with previous engagements that, in its view, had not produced the desired results.

Dr Ayeh, for his part, said he respected the coalition's decision and maintained that he had attended the event as a representative of the government.

VIDEO: Coalition Explains Its Position

Video footage shared by Channel One TV captures a representative of the protesting persons with disabilities explaining the group's concerns and reaffirming its determination to continue the campaign until it receives meaningful engagement from the government.

In the footage, the representative questions whether there has been any new development that could explain the government's lack of direct response to the group's concerns.

The protesters maintain that they have made repeated efforts to bring their grievances to the attention of the authorities but have yet to see what they consider sufficient action.

Coalition Demands Action on Disability Employment

A major issue at the centre of the campaign is the employment of qualified graduates with disabilities in the public sector.

The coalition has alleged that it submitted a verified list of 200 qualified graduates with disabilities for consideration during a recent Ghana Education Service recruitment exercise, but none of those on the submitted list was recruited.

The group has subsequently called for financial clearance to enable qualified graduates with disabilities to be recruited into government institutions.

The coalition has also argued that dedicated opportunities are necessary to ensure that qualified persons with disabilities are not overlooked during competitive recruitment exercises.

Campaign to Continue Despite Challenges

The protesters say they are not prepared to abandon their campaign despite the difficulties they have encountered.

They maintain that their concerns extend beyond individual employment opportunities and involve broader questions about inclusion, equal opportunity and the implementation of government commitments concerning persons with disabilities.

The group has previously warned that it would sustain its campaign until government provides concrete answers to its demands.

The coalition's latest action follows earlier calls for the implementation of the five per cent public-sector employment quota for persons with disabilities. The group has argued that the quota has not translated into sufficient employment opportunities for qualified graduates with disabilities.

PWDs Seek Meaningful Government Engagement

The protesters say they are particularly concerned about unemployment and the economic difficulties faced by graduates with disabilities who have obtained academic qualifications but remain without stable employment.

The coalition says many of its members are struggling financially and want government to move beyond promises and provide concrete opportunities for them to contribute to the country's development.

Their campaign is therefore focused on securing direct engagement with senior government officials and obtaining specific commitments on employment and related concerns.

The group has maintained that its action is peaceful and intended to draw attention to the socioeconomic challenges facing persons with disabilities.

Government Response Remains Key

The latest development has placed renewed attention on the government's approach to disability employment and inclusion.

For the coalition, the immediate priority is to secure direct engagement with a senior government official capable of addressing the concerns contained in its petition.

Until that happens, the protesters say they intend to continue pressing their demands.

The campaign also adds to the broader national discussion about employment opportunities, equal participation and the implementation of policies intended to improve the livelihoods of persons with disabilities in Ghana.

Global Pulse GH will continue to monitor developments and update this story as further information becomes available.

Source: Channel One TV footage; reports from Citi Newsroom and other credible media outlets.