The Administrator of the Minerals Development Fund (MDF) and National Women’s Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Hanna Louisa Bisiw-Kotei, has issued an urgent appeal to heads of all state agencies to strictly enforce the 5% employment quota for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
Dr. Bisiw-Kotei noted that while President John Dramani Mahama has demonstrated significant political will by acknowledging the employment crisis and issuing the directive, the ultimate responsibility lies with the leadership of various agencies to ensure these promises translate into actual livelihoods for the disability community.
This call to action comes at a time of mounting tension between the state and the disability movement.
Ahead of the 2024 general elections, the high rate of unemployment was identified by the NDC Disability Desk as the most pressing challenge facing PWDs in Ghana.
In response, following his victory, President Mahama directed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to reserve 5% of all recruitments for persons with disabilities.
However, widespread non-compliance by agency heads has led to massive frustration, prompting the Association of Unemployed Graduates with Disabilities to serve notice of a planned protest at the Presidency on the 24th of this month to demand immediate action.
Dr. Bisiw-Kotei made her comments when members of the NDC Disability Desk paid a courtesy call on her to present a citation of honour for her proactive stance on inclusion.
She was specifically lauded for the employment of Mrs. Gladys Agbenu at the Minerals Development Fund and for her role in facilitating the recruitment of Madam Joyce Gyamfi at the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).
The citation presented to her described her as a “strong woman forging inclusive partnerships to support women, especially women with disabilities, to become economically empowered.”
The Disability Desk emphasised that Dr. Bisiw-Kotei’s commitment is not merely symbolic, noting that she is one of the few officials who integrates PWDs into all facets of her work, including her campaign committees.
They highlighted that she appointed a woman with a disability as a National Campaign Coordinator for the 2024 elections and personally sponsored the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Kumasi.
According to the Desk, Dr. Bisiw-Kotei treats the inclusion of persons with disabilities as a non-negotiable right rather than a favour.
Responding to the gesture, Dr. Bisiw-Kotei expressed deep satisfaction with the performance of the PWD she has brought into her administration and Joyce Gyamfi at NADMO, stating that their success proves that PWDs can excel when given the opportunity.
She suggested that if every Ministry and Agency could commit to employing at least one person with a disability, it would drastically reduce the unemployment rate within the community.
She also acknowledged the strategic contributions of the Disability Desk to the NDC’s 2024 electoral success, particularly the women with disabilities who served on her working committees and campaign groups.
Looking forward, Dr. Bisiw-Kotei pledged that any future employment vacancies at the Minerals Development Fund would prioritise qualified PWDs and promised to continue lobbying her colleagues across the government to open doors for the community.
She concluded by urging government officials to view the employment of PWDs through the lens of moral and civic obligation.
She reminded her colleagues that since disability can affect anyone at any point in time, protecting the economic rights of PWDs today is an essential safeguard for the rights and dignity of every Ghanaian citizen.
SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH.com
