The Association of Unemployed Graduates with Disabilities held its scheduled ‘Enough is Enough’ protest in Accra yesterday, confronting the Ministries of Labour and Employment and Gender, Children and Social Protection with a firm demand for economic inclusion.
With over 300 graduates representing a growing pool of skilled but sidelined talent, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are demanding immediate, tailored solutions to an unemployment crisis they say has lingered for too long.
The streets echoed with unwavering calls for change, as PWDs – many holding placards with inscriptions such as “Ability beyond disability,” “Break the barriers, not our spirit,” “Enough is Enough: We need jobs,” and “Implement quota employment policy“ – voiced their frustration.
Their core demand: an end to discriminatory practices and a clear, guaranteed pathway to employment.
A key plea from the protesters was for the government to institute a separate employment clearance process specifically for PWDs, arguing that their inclusion in general clearance exercises consistently disadvantages them against able-bodied applicants.
“No more discrimination against PWDs,” they chanted, emphasising that their abilities transcend their disabilities, yet opportunities remain scarce.
At the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the sector Minister, engaged with the group led by Mr. Gilbert Agyare.
The meeting, following an earlier engagement in February 2026, saw the Minister reiterating government’s commitment to addressing their concerns.
However, the Minister’s response highlighted a strategic divergence from the protesters’ call for instant solutions.
Dr. Lartey explained that since their initial meeting, the Ministry has embarked on a comprehensive data collection exercise to meticulously document the skills, qualifications, and specific needs of PWDs.
This data, she stated, is crucial for effective job matching and has now been expanded nationwide to ensure fairness and inclusivity across all disability groups.
While acknowledging the palpable frustrations, Dr. Lartey stressed that employment placement would be done in phases and coordinated across sectors.
She assured the group that ongoing processes are underway and that their concerns remain a priority, reaffirming her commitment to continued dialogue with stakeholders for practical interventions.
The Minister’s emphasis on a coordinated, data-driven, and phased approach stands in stark contrast to the protesters’ “Enough is Enough” sentiment, which demands an immediate implementation of the promised 5% employment quota and a dedicated clearance process.
For the hundreds of unemployed PWD graduates, the time for dialogue and data collection has run its course; they are now seeking demonstrable results that translate directly into secured livelihoods.
As the Association of Unemployed Graduates with Disabilities maintains its resolve, the nation awaits to see how the government’s systematic approach will bridge the urgent gap between policy promises and the desperate need for economic inclusion.
SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH.com
