Leaders of unemployed graduates with disabilities have met with the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, to discuss persistent employment challenges confronting persons with disabilities in Ghana.

The delegation was led by Mr. Gilbert Agyare.

Welcoming the group, the Minister expressed appreciation for the engagement and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to listening to the concerns of persons with disabilities and working collaboratively to address them.

She noted that the meeting formed part of a series of consultations, describing the group as the third disability association she has engaged in relation to unemployment issues.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Mr. Agyare described graduate unemployment among persons with disabilities as a long-standing national concern.

He called for deliberate recruitment measures, including dedicated employment clearances and the effective enforcement of the 5 per cent employment quota for persons with disabilities within the public sector.

He also advocated structured employment pathways, noting that open competition without targeted support often places persons with disabilities at a disadvantage.

In her response, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey assured the group of the government’s commitment to inclusive employment policies.

She disclosed that the Ministry would work closely with the National Council on Persons with Disabilities and other relevant institutions to strengthen data systems and develop a comprehensive database to support job placement efforts.

The Minister further indicated that her Ministry would monitor the utilisation of the District Assemblies Common Fund allocation for persons with disabilities, particularly in areas such as skills development, capacity building and enterprise support.

She stressed the need for coordinated engagement among disability groups to ensure that interventions are evidence-based, measurable and impactful.

“I want to assure you that you will not be left behind. Government is committed to ensuring that persons with disabilities, including unemployed graduates, are meaningfully included in employment opportunities and national development efforts,” she said.

The meeting was attended by the Executive Secretary of the National Council on Persons with Disabilities, Edwin Kweku Andoh, and the Director of the Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate of the Ministry, Mrs Florence Ayisi Quartey.