5% Bank Quota and “Mahama Cares”: Government Outlines Reforms for Women with Disabilities

The Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, Shamima Muslim, has announced a suite of transformative policy commitments aimed at providing a robust social safety net for women with disabilities and caregivers across Ghana.

Speaking as the Keynote Speaker at the VOWACGhana Mother’s Day celebration on behalf of the Vice President Prof. Nana Opoku-Agyemang, she reaffirmed the government’s commitment to social justice, stating that national development is impossible while 8.8 per cent of the female population with disabilities continues to face systemic barriers.

A central pillar of the new interventions is the “Mahama Cares” health system, designed to address the long-standing issue of inaccessible maternal healthcare.

Shamima revealed that the system will prioritise “reasonable accommodation” by embedding the specific health needs and costs of women with disabilities directly into the national framework. This includes dedicated coverage for antenatal care, postnatal care, and disability-related illnesses.

In a move to tackle poverty and promote economic independence, she announced a 5 per cent reservation for women with disabilities within the “Women’s Bank” initiative.

“This will facilitate tailored criteria for accessible and inclusive banking, soft loans, and grants,” she explained. 

Furthermore, she highlighted a 5 per cent employment quota and the reservation of 50,000 training slots specifically for persons with disabilities under the “One Million Coders Programme,” aimed at ensuring the disability community is part of Ghana’s digital future.

Shamima reaffirmed the government’s commitment to several key pillars of inclusion:

•  Free Tertiary Education for all persons with disabilities.

•  The urgent re-enactment of the Persons with Disabilities Bill to align Ghana’s laws with global best practices.

•  The provision of accessible public infrastructure, including “free market and wash spaces” designed for the dignity of women with disabilities.

“Inclusion must be reflected not only in policy documents but also in the design of our communities and public spaces,” she urged, calling on the attendees to take full advantage of these emerging opportunities.

The government also pledged to continue engaging stakeholders on the “care economy,” focusing on mental health and psychosocial support for caregivers whose daily acts of service sustain the nation’s social fabric.

SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH.com