Accra: Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, has expressed strong support for Ghana's ratification of the African Disability Protocol, providing reassurance to disability advocates about the government's commitment to this cause. He pledged to work closely with the Foreign Minister to expedite the process, which is currently under Cabinet review, aiming to move the protocol forward for parliamentary approval.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Ayine addressed members of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) and other disability advocacy groups, including Sightsavers International, emphasizing that treaty ratification responsibilities lie with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He explained that this ministry is tasked with drafting and submitting a Cabinet memorandum, a prerequisite under Article 75 of the Constitution before parliamentary action can occur. He assured that his office found no legal obstacles in ratifying the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa. 'Our role is to ensure that such treaties align with our Constitution and laws, and we are satisfied on that,' he stated, adding his commitment to liaising with the Foreign Minister to advance Cabinet approval.
This engagement was a response to Ghana Disability Organisations' request to address the delays in ratifying the Protocol, which has been pending since 2018. Ms Veronica Denyo Kofiedu, Co-convener of the Network of Women with Disabilities, Ghana, and Executive Director of the Women with Disability Development and Advocacy Organisation (WODAO), expressed concern over the delay, noting Ghana's usual promptness in ratifying human rights treaties. She described the Attorney-General's engagement as encouraging and timely, providing clarity and renewed optimism for the protocol's advancement.
Ms Kofiedu highlighted that the ratification would bring significant changes for people with disabilities in Ghana, particularly women and girls, by institutionalizing rights protection and eliminating stigma and discrimination. Mr Alexander Tetteh, Executive Director of the Centre for Employment of Persons with Disabilities, also discussed the pending amendment of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2006 (Act 715), which he said contains significant gaps in addressing the needs of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in disaster situations.
Mr Mohammed Abdul-Razak from Sightsavers International underscored the necessity of aligning international treaties with domestic laws, citing the Marrakesh Treaty's limited impact due to gaps in national legislation, such as the Copyright Act. He advocated for the incorporation of the African Disability Protocol provisions into the pending disability bill, emphasizing the need for sustained advocacy and stakeholder coordination.
With the African Disability Protocol becoming legally binding in June 2024 following necessary ratifications, Ghana's delay remains a concern despite ongoing advocacy aimed at benefiting over 80 million persons with disabilities across the continent. The disability groups are encouraged to continue their engagement with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Gender, Children and Social Protection to ensure progress in both the protocol's ratification and the Disability Act amendment.