While the National Democratic Congress (NDC) prides itself on the pillars of Social Democracy and Equity, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) within the party are questioning whether these values are being translated into their lived experiences.
At a dedicated political leadership training session for Persons with Disabilities recently held at the NDC Party School, participants challenged the party’s commitment to its stated value of Equity.
The participants expressed deep-seated frustrations over what they described as the “relegation of PWDs to the background,” arguing that the party consistently undervalues their capabilities despite its inclusive ideology.
They particularly lamented the party’s failure to honour its pledge of a 5% allocation for PWDs in appointments and job opportunities.
This grievance was intensified by reports of the dismissal of PWDs who were engaged by the previous government, an act participants described as a flagrant contradiction of the NDC’s social democratic philosophy.
“Such acts raise serious questions about the party’s commitment to equality,” one participant noted. “If we are a social democratic party, our actions must protect the most vulnerable, not displace them.”
To address these systemic gaps, the participants outlined a series of urgent recommendations aimed at moving the party from policy rhetoric to practical inclusion.
• Upgrading the Disability Desk to a formal “Wing” of the party, similar to the Youth and Women’s Wings. This structural shift would grant PWDs a constitutional seat at the table during high-level decision-making processes, ensuring their voices are heard at every tier of the party’s leadership.
• Implementing special financial considerations for women with disabilities. While the party currently offers a 50% discount on filing fees for women and PWDs, Madam Christiana Nkrumah highlighted the “double marginalisation” that women with disabilities face.
She urged for even more targeted support to ensure financial barriers do not block their path to leadership.
• Establishing a clear roadmap for the 5% employment and appointment quota. Participants demanded an end to the current delays in the implementation of this policy within the administration, calling for the immediate recruitment and appointment of qualified PWDs to reflect the party’s commitment to economic equity.
• Conducting mandatory disability sensitisation workshops for all party executives. This proposal seeks to dismantle the “charity mindset” and foster an internal culture that recognises and appreciates the intellectual and mobilising impact of PWD comrades as strategic assets.
• Decentralising the NDC Party School to the regional levels. This would ensure that political education and leadership training are accessible to PWDs who face significant mobility or financial challenges when traveling to the national headquarters.
• Safeguarding the job security of PWD workers. Participants called for a total end to the dismissal of persons with disabilities during political transitions, arguing that an unleashed, social democratic party must protect the livelihoods of its most marginalised members regardless of changes in leadership.
• Translating “Good Policies” into tangible practice. Members emphasised that the party’s identity as a social democratic force is only valid if its inclusive policies result in a measurable improvement in the quality of life and political power of members with disabilities.
Responding to these concerns in an interview with DisabilityNewsGH.com, the Rector of the NDC Party School, Dr. William Ahadzie, noted the validity of the grievances raised.
He promised to relay the recommendations to the party’s Functional Executive Committee (FEC) for further consideration and action.
Dr. Ahadzie, however, urged the participants to exercise patience regarding the more significant structural demands.
He explained that changes such as upgrading the Disability Desk to a full Party Wing would require formal constitutional amendments. He noted that such shifts must wait until the party’s next constitutional amendment exercise.
Despite these procedural hurdles, the Rector expressed his personal commitment to ensuring that the school remains a platform for mainstreaming PWD leadership and ensuring that the party’s inclusive rhetoric eventually becomes a reality for all members.
SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH.com
