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Ghana’s Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey (MP), delivered a landmark address at the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York on June 9, 2026, during the General Discussion of the 19th Session of the Conference of States Parties (COSP19) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
Speaking before Chairpersons, Excellencies, and Distinguished Ministers from across the world, Dr. Lartey used the platform to highlight Ghana’s achievements in advancing disability rights over the past two decades, while calling for stronger global commitment to inclusion in an era of rapid technological and climate change.
Twenty Years of the CRPD — A Moment for Reflection and Action
Marking twenty years since the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Dr. Lartey described the moment as both a time for reflection and a call to action.
“For Ghana, this is both a moment of reflection and a call to action,” she said, emphasising that Ghana has remained steadfast in advancing the rights, dignity and inclusion of persons with disabilities, guided by the principles of the Convention.
Ghana’s New Persons With Disabilities Bill 2026
A central highlight of the Minister’s address was the announcement of Ghana’s Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2026, currently before Cabinet. The bill is designed to align Ghana’s national legislation more fully with the CRPD and strengthen enforcement mechanisms.
Dr. Lartey also revealed that Cabinet has approved the ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, with its core principles already incorporated into the proposed legislation.
Economic Empowerment and Social Protection
On the social protection front, Dr. Lartey announced that the allocation of the District Assemblies Common Fund for Persons with Disabilities has been increased from 3% to 5%, to support livelihoods, education, and healthcare across the country.
She further disclosed that more than 147,000 persons with disabilities have been enrolled on the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme, with access to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) under the BIG LEAP initiative — a significant milestone in Ghana’s social protection agenda.
Free Tertiary Education and Digital Inclusion
Ghana has also implemented a Free Tertiary Education Policy for Persons with Disabilities and has mainstreamed the Ghana Accessibility Standard into building regulations, ensuring physical environments are more inclusive.
Through the Digital Acceleration Project, persons with disabilities are being equipped with digital skills and assistive technologies to participate more fully in an increasingly digital world.
Challenges Remain
While celebrating these milestones, Dr. Lartey acknowledged that significant challenges persist. Employment gaps, attitudinal barriers, and unequal access to assistive technologies continue to limit opportunities for many persons with disabilities in Ghana and across the globe.
Ghana’s Call to the World
Closing her address, the Minister called on all States Parties and global partners to ensure that digital transformation, emerging technologies, and climate action become pathways to inclusion rather than new sources of exclusion.
“Twenty years after the adoption of the Convention, our responsibility is not only to protect rights, but to expand opportunities and remove barriers to full participation,” Dr. Lartey stated.
“Ghana stands ready to work with all States Parties and partners to build a future in which persons with disabilities are empowered not only to benefit from development, but to help shape it.”
“Ghana stands ready to work with all States Parties and partners to build a future in which persons with disabilities are empowered not only to benefit from development, but to help shape it.”