Disability inclusion in political parties manifestoes

In Ghana, persons with disabilities encounter persistent socio-economic and political challenges, despite the country's ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the enactment of the persons with Disability Act (Act 715, 2006). As political manifestos shape national policy, the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) has conducted a comparative analysis of the two major pollical parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifestos vis-à-vis a dedicated Disability Manifesto developed by the Federation. This article examines these documents, highlighting gaps, commitments, and missed opportunities in the quest for disability inclusion.

Regarding policies and legal protection, the Disability Manifesto calls for the ratification of treaties and the re-enactment of the Disability Act to fully align with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the African Disability Protocol (ADP). Unfortunately, both the NPP and NDC, in their manifestos, fell short of recognizing the urgent need for these legislations to be passed to improve systemic inclusion. There is lack of clear commitments by both parties to specifically address issues about disability inclusion legislations. This reveals a glaring oversight, particularly as all countries around the world are making efforts to modernize their legal frameworks for disability rights and inclusion.

The Disability Manifesto emphasizes the need for persons with disabilities to be provided with opportunities to participate in local governance, in a bid to promoting inclusivity in community development. Both political party manifestos, however, neglect this critical aspect. The lack of commitment here suggests a missed opportunity to empower Persons with disabilities, through affirmative action policies, at the grassroots level, further dimming the hopes of improving their meaningful and active inclusion in local governance and development decision making.

The Disability Manifesto calls for increasing the District Assemblies Common Fund allocation for Persons with disabilities from 3% to 6%, alongside equal access to social welfare benefits and services. A critical analysis of the NPP’s manifesto reveal they have proposed to increase the fund by 5% and also to support special needs education. The NDC manifesto broadly promises equal access to public services but lacked specific financial commitments. While both parties acknowledge social inclusion, their pledges remain vague compared to the concrete proposals of the Disability Manifesto to addressing social protection and inclusion.

Significantly education is a promising area where both parties have made clear commitments in their manifestos. . The NPP promises to introduce scholarships to remove financial barriers for Persons with disabilities, while the NDC promises free tertiary education for them. Both commitments reflect an understanding of the need for inclusive education. However, the Disability Manifesto goes further, calling for systemic reforms such as accessible classrooms and tailored teaching materials, which are essential for true inclusivity.

To address the health needs of persons with disabilities, the Disability Manifesto proposes comprehensive disability-friendly healthcare, including mental health services and specialized training for health professionals. The NDC aligns partially with its promise of inclusive healthcare, while the NPP’s focus remains on general healthcare improvements, offering little for persons with disabilities-specific needs. This disparity highlights a critical gap in addressing the healthcare challenges Persons with disabilities face.

On employment, the commitments from both parties manifestoes are more aligned, with both parties pledging quotas for persons with disabilities in public sector jobs. Yet, the Disability Manifesto emphasized broader employment inclusivity, advocating for fair wages, reasonable accommodations, and social protection. These holistic measures are critical for sustainable employment of persons with disabilities.

To address specific needs of women with disabilities, the Disability Manifesto uniquely highlights the dual marginalization faced by women with disabilities, proposing targeted empowerment programs. While the NDC suggests establishing a women’s development bank, it fails to explicitly address the intersectional challenges women with disabilities encounter.

In conclusion, the comparative analysis underscores significant gaps in the NPP and NDC manifestos regarding disability rights and inclusion. Although there are notable pledges in education and employment, these manifestos lack the depth and specificity required to effect meaningful change. The Disability Manifesto, with its comprehensive approach, serves as a vital blueprint for ensuring the inclusion of persons with disabilities in Ghana's policy landscape.

The analysis recommends that advocacy efforts must intensify to pressure political actors into adopting robust, actionable commitments that prioritize the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities. Without such initiatives, persons with disabilities will continue to face systemic marginalization, hindering Ghana's progress toward an inclusive society.