Ghana is taking bold steps to dismantle long-standing digital barriers faced by persons with disabilities (PWDs), unveiling a sweeping set of reforms centred on accessibility, inclusive policy upgrades, and industry-level accountability.
At the heart of these reforms is a landmark commitment to make all government digital platforms fully accessible, enforce minimum accessibility requirements on mobile devices entering the country by 2026, and expand concessionary data packages and inclusive customer-service channels through telecom operators.
The renewed push emerged as the country marked the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) in Accra, an event jointly organised by the National Communications Authority (NCA) and the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD).
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Samuel Nartey George, Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, said the government’s goal was to “reset the digital ecosystem” to ensure full participation of PWDs in a fast-digitising economy.
He noted that although progress had been made in inclusive education, ICT guidelines and digital public services, deep gaps still persist, with many PWDs unable to afford devices, access online platforms, or benefit from emerging technology-driven opportunities.
50,000 Fully-Funded Training Opportunities: Part of a Bigger Inclusion Agenda
As part of the broader strategy, Mr. George announced the allocation of 50,000 fully-sponsored training slots for PWDs under the national One Million Coders Programme—a significant correction to the pilot phase, where only nine out of 859 trainees were persons with disabilities.
The slots, to be shared across all 16 regions, are being coordinated with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and the GFD to ensure equitable reach.
However, the Minister stressed that the training initiative is only one element of a wider national plan.
“What we are doing is not just about training—it is about building an ecosystem where PWDs can actually use the digital tools, get the jobs, and thrive in the new economy,” he said.
He also explained that the programme’s delayed rollout was due to ongoing negotiations to secure internationally recognised certifications from Google, Microsoft, and Cisco. These credentials, he said, are crucial for enabling PWDs and other beneficiaries to qualify for global remote work opportunities.
Regulatory and Policy Shifts Gain Traction
In line with its mandate under Act 769, the NCA revealed that it is upgrading its digital platforms through the Accessibility-Based Applications Project (ABAP) to cater to users with visual, auditory and motor impairments.
Mr. Suleman Salifu, Deputy Director for Technical Operations, said the Authority is also driving industry reforms through engagements with device manufacturers to ensure compliance with accessibility standards before 2026.
Gender Ministry Pushes Policy Reforms and Assistive Technology Support
Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, announced that the long-awaited review of the Persons with Disability Act, 2006, is nearing completion and will soon be submitted to Cabinet.
She added that under the Ghana Digital Acceleration Project, seven special schools have been equipped with new digital tools—desktops, laptops, accessibility software and braille devices—to boost digital literacy among learners with disabilities.
GFD Welcomes Shift Toward Systemic Inclusion
GFD President Mr. Joseph Atsu Homadzi described the government’s new commitments as “a decisive shift toward dismantling structural digital inequalities,” and urged stakeholders to focus on effective implementation.
“This is not just about PWDs being included in the conversation—it is about ensuring they benefit meaningfully from Ghana’s digital transformation,” he said.
