The Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD), Ghana’s national umbrella body for Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), has reaffirmed its solidarity with unemployed graduates with disabilities, acknowledging their “legitimate frustration” over being excluded from the recent Ghana Education Service (GES) recruitment exercise.
However, the GFD has explicitly distanced itself from a press statement issued by the Coalition of Unemployed Graduates with Disabilities, particularly rejecting calls for the removal of public officials and the occupation of state institutions.
The Federation argues that such confrontational approaches risk undermining the very cause they seek to advance.
“GFD stands firmly with unemployed graduates with disabilities. Their frustration is legitimate,” the Federation stated in a press release issued on Monday, 3 August 2026. “However, GFD was not consulted, involved, or represented in the preparation or release of the Coalition’s statement. We therefore dissociate ourselves from its contents, demands, and proposed actions.”
The GFD disclosed that it has been actively engaging the Ministry of Education and other relevant authorities since concerns about the GES recruitment exercise first emerged.
To intensify this pressure, the Federation is scheduled to meet with the Ministry of Education on Tuesday, 4 August 2026, to demand clarity on the recruitment process and insist on the inclusion of qualified persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The Federation also noted a recent statement by the Hon. Dr. Clement Apaak, Deputy Minister for Education and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Disability Caucus.
During a workshop between the Caucus and the disability community on 2 August 2026, Dr. Apaak affirmed that the Ministry of Education is still undertaking the recruitment process and that qualified PWDs will be duly considered.
“GFD notes this statement,” the Federation asserted. “We will not simply take it at face value; we will hold the Ministry to it, verify outcomes, and press for corrective action if graduates with disabilities are once again overlooked.”
Beyond the immediate GES recruitment, the GFD also addressed President John Dramani Mahama’s announcement of a 5 per cent employment quota for PWDs in public sector employment.
The Federation stressed that an announcement alone does not constitute implementation. They pledged to continue pushing the Ministry responsible for Jobs, Labour and Employment to finalise and enforce the quota guidelines, ensuring that this commitment translates into actual jobs rather than merely remaining a policy on a shelf.
While standing firmly with unemployed graduates, the GFD urged individuals and disability organisations to temper confrontational actions that could be used to discredit their legitimate grievances.
Instead, the Federation called for collective, disciplined, evidence-based, and effective advocacy, arguing that lasting results are won through sustained pressure and strategic engagement with duty-bearers.
“To all unemployed graduates with disabilities: your fight is our fight. GFD strongly stands by you, and we will not relent until every qualified graduate with a disability gets the employment opportunities they are entitled to,” the statement concluded. “United and strategic action, not fragmented ultimatums, is how we win this.”
The GFD reiterated its commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities through principled advocacy, policy dialogue, strategic partnerships, and firm engagement with duty-bearers, consistent with the Constitution of Ghana, the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2006 (Act 715), and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH.com
