The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has warned that denying employment to persons with disabilities (PWDs) is unconstitutional and has urged victims of discrimination to pursue legal action to enforce their rights.
The Commission made the call after a participant at a human rights workshop in Ho recounted how he was denied a job despite performing exceptionally well in an interview because he used a wheelchair.
According to the participant, he was later informed by the employer that the company’s internal policy did not allow the employment of wheelchair users.
Responding to the testimony, CHRAJ Legal Officer Ambrose Cori described the incident as a clear violation of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees the right to work, fair wages and safe working conditions for all persons, regardless of disability.
“We need to change the narrative. We need to access our rights. Typical Ghanaians don’t take human rights issues to court. It takes just one case to change narratives,” he said.
Mr. Cori encouraged victims of human rights abuses to report violations to state institutions such as CHRAJ and to seek legal redress rather than tolerate discriminatory practices.
He noted that many employers are unaware that the government provides tax incentives for organisations that employ persons with disabilities, a policy aimed at promoting inclusive hiring.
The remarks were made during a sensitisation workshop on Gender and Children’s Rights in the Digital Space, organised by the German Development Cooperation (GIZ Ghana) in partnership with CHRAJ and the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) under the Support to Human Rights, Gender Equality and Civil Society Project (S(HE)).
The workshop brought together representatives of persons with disabilities, civil society organisations, religious leaders and officials from key state institutions to strengthen advocacy efforts against discrimination and abuse.
CHRAJ Deputy Director of Public Education Joy Anima Debrah called for a broader approach to gender equality and social justice that recognises the multiple forms of discrimination individuals may face.
NCCE Tamale Metropolitan Director Abdul-Fatawu Mahama urged stakeholders to confront harmful social and gender norms and ensure that laws are enforced whenever abuse occurs.
Several participants said the workshop had encouraged them to document human rights violations and use available legal and institutional mechanisms to seek justice.
