Ghana participated in the 19th Session of the Conference of States Parties (COSP19) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), held at the United Nations Headquarters from 9 to 11 June 2026. The delegation was led by Honourable Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, and included representatives from the Ministry, the National Council of Persons with Disabilities, the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations, Members of Parliament, and the Parliamentary Caucus on Disability chaired by Dr. Clement Abas Apaak (MP), Deputy Minister for Education.
This year’s COSP19 was convened under the theme: “CRPD at 20: Celebrating and consolidating achievements and shaping the next phase of implementation in a changing world.” Discussions focused on creating a world free from exploitation, violence and abuse; strengthening care and support systems; and enhancing accessible civic engagement, leadership and advocacy.
Delivering Ghana’s statement during the General Discussion, Dr. Lartey described the moment as “both a reflection and a call to action.” She highlighted key initiatives demonstrating Ghana’s commitment to disability inclusion:
- Persons with Disabilities Bill, currently before Cabinet, aligning national legislation with the CRPD.
- District Assemblies Common Fund allocation increased from 3% to 5%.
- Social protection expansion, with over 147,000 persons with disabilities enrolled in LEAP and linked to NHIS under the BIG LEAP initiative.
- Free Tertiary Education Policy covering tuition fees.
- Accessibility Standards integrated into building regulations.
- Digital Acceleration Project providing digital skills and assistive technologies.
- Ratification of African Charter Protocol approved by Cabinet.
The Minister acknowledged persistent challenges such as employment gaps, attitudinal barriers, and unequal access to assistive technologies, stressing that Ghana’s responsibility is “not only to protect rights, but to expand opportunities and remove barriers to full participation.”
Beyond plenary sessions, Ghana’s delegation actively engaged in side events, including:
- Co-design in disability policy — sharing Ghana’s experience in inclusive policymaking.
- Emergency preparedness — highlighting integration of persons with disabilities in disaster risk reduction.
- Private sector partnerships — showcasing collaborations on accessible infrastructure and employment.
- Financing disability inclusion — presenting Ghana’s resource mobilization strategies.
The delegation also joined Civil Society Day, exchanging best practices with global disability organisations.
COSP19 provided a platform for countries to assess progress and renew commitments to equal opportunities for persons with disabilities. Ghana’s active participation underscored its determination to consolidate achievements and shape the next phase of CRPD implementation in a rapidly changing world.
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