DaSDA Africa, a leading disability-advocacy organisation committed to promoting the inclusion, equity, and empowerment of persons with disabilities (PWDs), has applauded the recent launch of the Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities initiative by His Excellency John Dramani Mahama.
In his address, President Mahama underscored the transformative potential of the policy, stating, “Each student supported under this policy becomes an asset to our nation. A potential engineer, a teacher, an entrepreneur, a farmer or an innovator. Their success will strengthen Ghana’s economy and enrich our collective humanity.” He further described the policy as “a moral responsibility rather than an act of charity” and a reflection of Ghana’s commitment to inclusive growth.
DaSDA Africa hails this policy as a landmark step towards ensuring that every Ghanaian, regardless of disability, has equitable access to higher education. The organization emphasizes that it reinforces the principle that true national progress is measured by how a society serves its most vulnerable members. However, DaSDA Africa cautions that the ultimate success of this commendable initiative will depend heavily on meticulous attention to its implementation, integrity, and long-term outcomes.
Key Recommendations from DaSDA Africa:
To maximize the impact and sustainability of the Free Tertiary Education policy, DaSDA Africa has put forward four key recommendations:
1. Ensure Sustainable & Transparent Implementation:
DaSDA Africa stresses that the policy must be underpinned by robust institutional mechanisms that guarantee consistent annual funding, efficient administration, and transparent accountability. The organization acknowledges the President’s positive mention of revamping the Students Loan Trust Fund to digitise and streamline support systems. DaSDA Africa further urges the Government, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), the National Council on Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), and disability-led organisations to collaborate on establishing clear eligibility criteria, timely application processes, and continuous monitoring of the program’s impact.
2. Protect the Opportunity for Legitimate Beneficiaries:
A critical concern for DaSDA Africa is preventing the infiltration of the system by non-eligible individuals. The organization asserts that rigorous verification of disability status, in line with international best practices, is essential. This verification must, however, be balanced with accessibility measures to ensure that genuine candidates are not deterred by bureaucratic hurdles. Without such safeguards, non-disabled persons could inadvertently crowd out legitimate beneficiaries, thereby undermining the policy’s core purpose.
3. Extend the Policy to Postgraduate Studies:
While the current scheme focuses on tertiary undergraduate education, DaSDA Africa strongly advocates for the Government to expand the policy’s scope to include Master’s and PhD programmes. The organization believes that enabling PWDs to pursue advanced degrees will cultivate a vital cadre of scholars, leaders, and researchers with disabilities, significantly strengthening Ghana’s inclusive development agenda.
4. Link Education with Employment & Entrepreneurship:
DaSDA Africa highlights that access to free education is merely the initial step. To make the policy truly meaningful and transformative, an effective bridge to sustainable livelihood outcomes must be established. The organization calls for:
• A dedicated matching employment programme to connect PWD graduates with inclusive employers in both the public and private sectors.
• Targeted support for entrepreneurship and business incubation schemes tailored specifically for graduates with disabilities, empowering them to establish and grow sustainable ventures.
• Active collaboration with industry leaders and disability-inclusive recruiters to ensure that the newly acquired potential of these graduates translates directly into economic contribution.
Wadi Isaac Kwaku, Executive Director of DaSDA Africa, stated, “This policy has the potential to redefine the future for thousands of Ghanaians with disabilities. We must ensure its implementation is flawless, its reach comprehensive, and its outcomes lead directly to meaningful employment and full societal participation.”
SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH.com
