FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MONDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2026.
UNEMPLOYED GRADUATES WITH DISABILITIES ISSUE ONE-MONTH ULTIMATUM TO GOVERNMENT
We, the Coalition of Unemployed Tertiary Graduates with Disabilities, are issuing this formal press statement to express our utter disappointment, frustration, and rising anger at the Government of Ghana’s systemic neglect of our right to work and dignity.
For over six years now, hundreds of us qualified, skilled, and certified by various tertiary institutions across the country have been left to languish in poverty at home. We have fulfilled our part of the social contract by acquiring higher education, often at great personal and financial sacrifices.
Yet, the State has turned its back on us, leaving us to survive on the fringes of a society we are ready to build.
The Grim Reality is that the current state of inclusion in Ghana is not just disappointing and disturbing but rather a flagrant violation and an abridgement of our fundamental human rights. Based on the 2021 Population and Housing Census and recent 2025 labor data, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) make up approximately 8% of Ghana’s population, representing over 2.1 million people.
While the national unemployment rate hovers around 13%, the unemployment rate for PWDs in the formal sector is nearly double the national average.
In Ghana, only about 27% of PWDs of working age are gainfully employed, compared to over 56% of persons without disabilities.
The vast majority of PWDs are pushed into the informal sector or forced into street begging, despite holding degrees in Education, Law, Administration, and Information Technology.
The United Nations, through the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)—which Ghana has ratified and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 8), demands that member states ensure PWDs have access to “open, inclusive, and accessible” labor markets.
The UN and International Labour Organization (ILO) standards emphasize that governments should implement quota schemes (often recommending that PWDs occupy between 2% to 5% of the workforce in both public and private sectors) to ensure equitable representation. The Government of Ghana has failed to enforce even the basic provisions of our own Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715 when it comes to the issues of employment).
Recently, at the launch of the free tertiary Education for persons with Disabilities policy, His Excellency the President of the republic, John Dramani Mahama stated pellucidly that he was going to implement a 5% quota employment policy for persons with disabilities across the country in all public and private sector recruitment and also incentivize private companies willing to hire the service of persons with Disabilities.
We are not asking for charity; we are demanding our right to work. We have been “educated for the shelf for too long.
We demand an immediate roadmap for the recruitment of the current backlog of unemployed tertiary-educated PWDs into the public sector.
We demand the full implementation of employment quotas in all government agencies and incentives for private companies that hire PWDs.
We demand an end to the systemic barriers during recruitment processes that favor able-bodied individuals overqualified PWDs.
We hereby give the Government of Ghana a one-month ultimatum from today to respond to our plight with a concrete, actionable employment plan.
Failure to act will leave us with no choice but to hit the streets in our numbers. We will mobilize our members from all sixteen regions, with our wheelchairs, our white canes, and our crutches, to occupy the seats of power until our voices are heard. We will demonstrate against the State’s blatant disregard for our lives and our futures.
We are of the conviction that the current challenge plaguing us is not one which is intractable or insurmountable for government to solve if the political will is there.
We wish to indicate that a plethora of our people have been commuting from their hometowns to Accra to engage the various ministries that can resolve the issues at hand, but all our efforts have unfortunately proven futile.
As a country that frowns on seeing the vulnerable begging for alms on the streets, we must rather ameliorate such people from their destitutions instead of making them more marginalized every day to feed on the crumbs of politicians.
It remains an indubitable or incontrovertible truth that issues of disability in this country have been swept under the carpet, but we are of the conviction that it is about time that we rose against such ignominious treatment given to such people in this country.
Persons with disability in this country have been languished to struggle on their own to survive without any clear policies to alleviate the predicaments faced by us.
The impediments in our path are too much to the extent that we are not considered by government in any decision made by the government.
These challenges hamper our progress as humans since we compete with the abled bodied persons for everything.
But we wish to assert that disability is no respecter of persons so we should be guided as a country through our actions by creating an inclusive environment for all without any semblance of discrimination and segregation against the disabled.
As a country that tout itself with an accolade of being the beacon of democracy in Africa, our attitude towards the disabled has not been the best at all as we continue to create excruciating pains for such people in everything we do.
Finally, we will elicit an unflinching support from the media and the general public to implore the government to do the needful for peace to prevail.
Thank you.
SIGNED:
GILBERT BOATENG AGYARE
CONVENER OF THE GROUP
0244061940.
The following leaders may be contacted for interviews and more clarifications by the media
1. Baah Felix – 0544295020
2. Gilbert Boateng Agyare – 0244061940.
3. Takyi Augustine – 0551393853
4. Habib Augustine K. A. – 0248503773
5. Awoe Emmanuel – 0546594198.
6. Arther Dede Alberta – 0552695654
Coalition of Unemployed Tertiary Graduates with Disabilities
Please find attached a portion of the list of people who are affected by this unfortunate situation for your consideration.
The list constitutes details of their names, type of impairment, year of completion and the school attended.
LIST OF UNEMPLOYED TERTIARY GRADUATES WITH DISABILITIES
NO. NAME INSTITUTION ATTENDED YEAR
COMPLETED TYPE OF DISABILITY
1. Jonathan Atta Kakra Yorke Koforidua Polytechnic 2007 Visual Impairment
2. Walter Komla Gomashie Evangelical Presbyterian University College, Ho 2011 Albinism
3. Emmanuel Asibey Osei School of Social Work 2012 Visual Impairment
4. Stephen Mensah Amoh Kumasi Technical University 2013 Physical Disability
5. Titriku Akosua Rejoice University of Education, Winneba 2013 Physical Disability
6. Emmanuel Kwesi Cole University of Cape Coast 2014 Visual Impairment
7. Gloria Pokua Annancy Central University 2014 Visual Impairment
8. Yakub Issahaque University For Development Studies 2014 Physical Disability
9. Faisal Sey IPMC University College 2015 Physical Dis
10. Monica Boateng Dedaa UCC 2016 Physical Disability
11. Faisal Abubakar Vocational 2017 Visual Impairment
12. Felix Selase Dovi University of professional studies Accra 2017 Visual Impairment
13. Georgina Mills Addo University of Education, Winneba 2017 Hearing Impairment
14. Gifty Teni Salibga Koforidua Technical University 2017 Hearing Impairment
15. Mohammed Salihu Adnan University of Cape Coast (UCC) 2017 Physical Disability
16. Zenabu Belbah University of Cape Coast 2017 Physical Disability
17. Delali Josephine Kuwornu University of Education Winneba 2018 Physical Disability
18. Fatima Amadu University of Education 2018 Hearing Impairment
19. Isaac Asirifi University of Cape Coast 2018 Amputee in right leg
20. Shadrack Ndibagen University Of Education, Winneba 2018 Visual Impairment
21. Sylvester Agyemang Atta University of Education, Winneba, Ghana 2018 Hearing Impairment
22. Abu Ayishetu New life college 2019 Physical Disability
23. Ali Male Ibrahim University of Education 2019 Visual Impairment
24. Ayishetu Mohadi Maliku University of education Winneba – kumasi campus 2019 Physical Disability
25. Cosmos Quenin Opoku University of Education, Winneba 2019 Visually Impaired with hearing challenge
26. Evans Acheampong University of Education, Winneba 2019 Visual Impairment
27. Habiba Kantunsung Jackson college of education 2019 Physical challenge
28. Yahaya Bayi Ghana Institute of Journalism 2019 Person with albinism
29. Apuga Sampson University of Education, Winneba 2020 Visual Impairment
30. Bonnah Kwasi Stephen University of Education, Winneba 2020 Visual Impairment
31. Kenneth Mawutor Gakpetor Evangelical Presbyterian University College 2020 Physical Disability
32. Martha Frimpong University of Education, Winneba 2020 Visual Impairment
33. Sudais Abubakar Mohammed Garden City University 2020 Physical Disability
34. Maxwell Turkson University of Education, Winneba 2021 Visual Impairment
35. Norbert Dawono University of Education, Winneba 2021 Visual Impairment
36. Placidio Gume University of Education, Winneba 2021 Physical Disability
37. Rita Naa Okaikor Ayi-Bonte Wisconsin International University College 2021 Stammering
38. Abubakakari Zakaria Tamale Technical University and New Life College, Tamale 2021 Physical Disability
39. Abdul-Rahman Estandaru University For Development Studies 2022 Physical Disability
40. Albert Anakwa Coffie University of Education, Winneba 2022 Hearing Impairment
41. Bernice Adjoa Eshun University of Cape Coast 2022 Visual Impairment
42. Bismark Bosomprah University of Education, Winneba 2022 Visual Impairment
43. Cecilia Saamporibo University of Education, winneba 2022 Visual Impairment
44. Elvis Boateng Jackson College of Education 2022 Physical Disability
45. Farhan Alhassan Shaibu University of Ghana, Legon 2022 Visual Impairment
46. Godsway Kekeli Tamakloe University of Education, Winneba 2022 Visual Impairment
47. Hamdan Alidu University of Education, Winneba 2022 Deaf
48. Hoenyedzi mensah Alphonsus University of Education, winneba 2022 Hearing Impairment
49. Ruth Asare Koforidua Technical University 2022 Hearing Impairment
50. Frank Kwaku Yeboah University of Ghana 2023 Visual Impairment
51. Sidu Latifa Kantong University of Education, Winneba 2022 Visual Impairment
52. Ziinkow Bertha University of Education, Winneba 2022 Visual Impairment
53. Abdul-Majeed Alhassan University of Education, Winneba 2023 Physical Disability
54. Theodora Kissiwa University of Cape Coast 2023 Physical Disability
55. Adam Rasheed Abdul Koforidua Technical university 2023 Deaf
56. Albert Anakwa Coffie University of Education, winneba 2023 Hearing Impairment
57. Alberta Dede Narther University of Education, Winneba 2023 Visual Impairment
58. Alhassan Abdul-Majeed University of education, Winneba 2023 Physical Disability
59. Atinga Ayinpoka Mavis University of Education, Winneba 2023 Visual Impairment
60. Batadiniah Asoawe Eric University of Education, Winneba 2023 Visual Impairment
61. Benjamin Kyere University of Education, Winneba 2023 Visual Impairment
62. Benjamin Mensah University of Education, Winneba 2023 Visual Impairment
63. Boniretey Jorbontey University of Cape coast, UCC 2023 Physical Disability
64. Bright Wireko Ampong Kwame nkrumah university of science and technology 2023 Physical Disability
65. David Mort Akoliga University of Cape Coast 2023 Visual Impairment
66. Elikem Yaw Attipoe University of Education, Winneba 2023 Visual Impairment
67. Ellen Bempah Owusu University of education, Winneba 2023 Physical Disability
68. Emmanuel Awoe University of Education, Winneba 2023 Visual Impairment
69. Emmanuel Kwabena Akonsi University of education, Winneba 2023 Hearing Impairment
70. Enyonam Destiny Lavoe University of education, Winneba 2023 Visual Impairment
71. Eric Kwesi Asare University of Education, Winneba 2023 Hearing Impairment
72. Ewura Dari Malik University of education, Winneba 2023 Physical Disability
73. Francis Suma University for Development Studies (UDS Tamale ) 2023 Physical Disability
74. Fuseini Yakubu University of education winneba 2023 Visual Impairment
75. Habib Augustine Kurawura Alankpari University of cape coast UCC 2023 Visual Impairment
76. Hassan Yakubu University of education Winneba 2023 Visual Impairment
77. Iddrisu Abdul Hanan University of education, Winneba 2023 Hearing Impairment
78. Ishmael Edem Adevu University of education, Winneba 2023 Physical Disability
79. Jeffery Addo University of Ghana, Legon 2023 Visual Impairment
80. Jonas Adjetey University of education, Winneba 2023 Visual Impairment
81. Joyce Asantewaa University of Education,Winneba 2023 Physical Disability
82. Lennox Alalek University of Education, Winneba 2023 Visual Impairment
83. Meshack Azaanga Amobire University of Education, Winneba 2023 Visual Impairment
84. Mispa Odame University of education, Winneba 2023 Visual Impairment
85. Moses Azumah Nelson University of education, Winneba 2023 Visual Impairment
86. Muhammad Mubarak University of education, Winneba 2023 Visual Impairment
87. Nsungar Alice Bipee University for development studies 2023 Albinism
88. Prince Adjei Otsiwah University of Ghana 2023 Visual Impairment
89. Rebecca Agbagah University of education, Winneba 2023 Visual Impairment
90. Richard Nsoh Avebire University of education, Winneba 2023 Visual Impairment
91. Sabratu Avoye Imoro St John Bosco College of Education 2023 Physical Disability
92. Sarfo Hienno Aikins University of education, Winneba 2023 Visual Impairment
93. Selorm Adrah-Hormeku University of Ghana 2023 Dwarfism
94. Shadrach Kwame Norvinyo University college of agriculture and environmental studies 2023 Physical Disability
95. Stephen Dankwa University of education, Winneba 2023 Visual Impairment
96. Suma Francis University for Development Studies 2023 Physical Disability
97. Sylvester Acquah University of Ghana 2023 Visual Impairment
98. Thomas Kwame Kwaa University of education, Winneba 2023 Visual Impairment
99. Veronica Amuzu University of Cape Coast 2023 Visual Impairment
100. Veronica Segbornya Amegakpui University of education, Winneba 2023 Visual Impairment
101. Yakubu Hassan University of education, Winneba 2023 Visual Impairment
102. Mohammed No Iddrisu University of Education Winneba-Ajumako 2023 Visual Impairment
103. Alhassan Habibata University of education, Winneba 2023 Visual Impairment
104. Hamdan Alidu University of Education, Winneba (Distance) 2023 Hearing Impairment
105. Abraham Abugbilla Abugri University of education, Winneba 2023 Physical Disability
106. Abdul Mumin University of cape coast 2024 Physical Disability
107. Abdul Rashid Suleymana Kessben university college 2024 Visual Impairment
108. Abdulai Widraogo Nuhu University of Ghana 2024 Visual Impairment
109. Abdul-Kudus Basin Tahiru University of Cape Coast 2024 Visual Impairment
110. Abdul-Razak Osman University for Development Studies 2024 Physical Disability
111. Abigail Agyemang University of cape coast 2024 Visual Impairment
112. Aboagye Okyere Mensah AAMUSTED, Kumasi campus 2024 Hearing Impairment
113. Adu Emmanuel University of Ghana 2024 Visual Impairment
114. Amos Awuku University of cape coast 2024 Visual Impairment
115. Antwi Ellias University of education, Winneba 2024 Hearing Impairment
116. Asumah Zoromi Abdul- Rashid BAGABAGA COLLEGE OF EDUCATION TAMALE 2024 Physical Disability
117. Atanga Assibi Janet University of Education Winneba 2024 Visual Impairment
118. Atta Silas Mensah University of education, Winneba 2024 Hearing Impairment
119. Augustina Kpipien University of Cape coast 2024 Visual Impairment
120. Bridget Abla Honu University of Education,winneba 2024 Physical Disability
121. Catherine Anim-Larbi University of Education, Winneba 2024 Hearing Impairment
122. Catherine Yaa Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development 2024 DeafBlindness
123. Catherine Adjeley Nonom University of Ghana legon 2024 Visual Impairment
124. Cletus Naah Boorsong University of education, Winneba 2024 Visual Impairment
125. David Nunyala Duodu University of Cape Coast 2024 Visual Impairment
126. Ephraim Ayeh Oracca-Tetteh University of Ghana 2024 Visual Impairment
127. Eric Owusu Afriyie University of Education, Winneba 2024 Hearing Impairment
128. Fatima Owusuaa University of cape coast 2024 Visual Impairment
129. Foster Abariche University of Cape coast 2024 Visual Impairment
130. Godwin Edudzi Bleboo University of Education, Winneba 2024 Hearing Impairment
131. Ibrahim Hamidu University of education, winneba 2024 Hearing Impairment
132. Ibrahim Yahaya University of Cape coast 2024 Visual Impairment
133. Iddrisu Nashiru University of education, Winneba 2024 Hearing Impairment
134. Isaac Obeng University of Cape Coast 2024 Visual Impairment
135. Jenita Sommah Anafo Nusrat Jahan Ahmadiyya college 2024 Visual Impairment
136. Kunugbe None Rosemary UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA 2024 Physical Disability
137. Kyeraa Hannah AAmusted- kumasi 2024 Hearing Impairment
138. Lateef Abdullahi Alhassan University of education, Winneba 2024 Visual Impairment
139. Mariam Shuaib University of Cape Coast 2024 Hearing Impairment
140. Martha Ayorkor Ashong University of Cape coast 2024 Visual Impairment
141. Martha Kangmenang Seidu Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies-(SDD-UBIDS) 2024 Physical Disability
142. Matilda Dankwah Akenten appiah-Menka university of skills training and entrepreneurial development (AAMUSTED) 2024 Hearing Impairment
143. Mavis Teiko Aminatey University of Ghana 2024 Physical Disability
144. Michael Annorhene Frimpong University of Cape Coast 2024 Visual Impairment
145. Mohammed Sabasa Umar University of education, Winneba 2024 Visual Impairment
146. Nancy Adompoka Akurigya UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA 2024 Visual Impairment
147. Paul Ayaba Asiawon University of education, Winneba 2024 Physical Disability
148. Peace Awadzi University of Education,Winneba 2024 Visual Impairment
149. Rashida Kumih University of Cape coast 2024 Hearing Impairment
150. Richard Kwadwo Glakpeh University of education, Winneba 2024 Visual Impairment
151. Rolanda Wewobong University of Cape Coast 2024 Visual Impairment
152. Samsideen Gbana Mohammed. Bukari University of education UEW. 2024 Visual Impairment
153. Takyi Augustine AAMUSTED 2024 Physical Disability
154. Zenabu Hudu University of education, Winneba 2024 Hearing Impairment
155. Ansah Emmanuel AKENTEN APPIAH-MENKA UNIVERSITY OF SKILLs TRANING AND ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT 2024 Hearing Impairment
156. Samuel Asante University of Cape Coast 2024 Visual Impairment
157. mensah benjamin University of education, Winneba 2024 Visual Impairment
158. Febian Maanneakpeng Sotenga University of Cape Coast 2024 Visual Impairment
159. Iddrisu Abdul Hanan University of education, Winneba 2024 Hearing Impairment
160. Nahima Issahak Issahak University of education, Winneba 2024 Visual Impairment
161. Abdul Basit Osman University of Business and Integrated Development Studies, Wa Ghana 2025 Physical Disability
162. Awal Wumbei Iddrisu University of Education, Winneba 2025 Physical Disability
163. Didongo Raymond University of education, Winneba 2025 Visual Impairment
164. Francis Kutom UDS 2025 Physical Disability
165. Godfred Aming Atoosiko University of Cape coast (UCC) 2025 Physical Disability
166. Kwabena Bediako Kyere University of Cape Coast 2025 Physical Disability
167. Lamor Augustine Nkoranza technical Institute 2025 Physical Disability
168. Monica Boateng Dedaa UCC 2025 Physical Disability
169. Nicholas Akorligah Kwofie University of Ghana 2025 Visual Impairment
170. Sakina Barson University of education, Winneba 2025 Physical Disability
171. Seth Doetse University of education, winneba 2025 Hearing Impairment
172. stephen Adonu Adonu Technical university 2025 Hearing Impairment
173. Sylvester Agyemang Atta University of education, Winneba 2025 Hearing Impairment
174. Adongo Bilitor Isaiah Isaiah LPMV &Gbewaa college of Education 2025 Albinism
175. Iddrisu Zuleiha Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS) 2025 Visual Impairment
