He also welcomed the increase in the Disability Common Fund from three to five per cent, as outlined in the 2026 budget and called on public and private institutions to integrate accessibility into all digital policies and programmes to ensure full inclusion of persons with disabilities.

He was speaking at the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) celebration held in Accra yesterday, jointly organised by the National Communications Authority (NCA) and the GFD on the national theme, “Access to Technology and Assistive Devices for Persons with Disability.”

For her part, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Mrs Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to widening access to assistive technology and strengthening disability-inclusive policies across the country.

According to her, technology must be designed to actively involve persons with disabilities in national development, describing technology as essential, not a luxury.

She added that digital inclusion had become fundamental to education, employment, healthcare and civic participation.

She stressed that access to technology now determines whether persons with disabilities were able to live independently, communicate effectively and contribute fully to national development.

Mrs Lartey described technology as “essential, not a luxury”, adding that it must be designed to actively involve persons with disabilities in shaping national progress.

She noted that the theme aligns with global commitments under Articles 4 and 20 of the United Nation Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which obliges states to promote mobility aids, assistive devices and accessible information systems.

The Minister revealed that her Ministry had completed a review of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2006 (Act 715) to reflect current trends and ensure full compliance with the UN Convention.

She disclosed that the draft report was undergoing final consultations and would soon be submitted to Cabinet.

As part of efforts to improve digital inclusion, she announced that government, through the Ghana Digital Acceleration Project, had procured a range of digital tools to support persons with disabilities.

These include 338 desktop computers, 154 laptops, 220 accessible software packages, Braille displays, Braille encoders and other assistive devices intended to enhance digital literacy and access.

Mrs Lartey further emphasised that disability inclusion required “intentional investment”, adding that barriers to full participation were not only physical but also attitudinal, digital and institutional.

“Inclusion is not an act of charity. It is a matter of rights, justice and national development,” she stated.

The Deputy Director-General for Technical Operations at the NCA, Mr Suleman Salifu, speaking on behalf of the Acting Director General of NCA, Mr Edmund Y. Fianko, said persons with disabilities continued to face significant obstacles in accessing digital services, limiting their ability to benefit from education, financial services and employment.

He disclosed that from 2026, all mobile devices imported into Ghana will be required to meet minimum accessibility standards before approval.