LICOT-WASO Project Calls for Inclusive Pathways from University to Workplace for PWDs
Stakeholders at a dissemination workshop organised under the Life Course Transitions and Trajectories of Persons with Disabilities in West African Societies (LICOT-WASO) project have collectively called for stronger policies, inclusive workplaces, and greater support systems to improve the transition of persons with disabilities (PWDs) from tertiary education into the labour market in Ghana.
Hosted in partnership with the University of Ghana, Universität Siegen and ZPE, the event brought together academics, employers, policymakers and disability advocates.
Opening the workshop, Dr. Efya Mantey Agyire-Tettey, Country Coordinator of LICOT-WASO, noted that the barriers faced by persons with disabilities must be addressed urgently, if Ghana is to live up to its obligations under both national and international frameworks.
The workshop also presented findings from the LICOT-WASO research study, led by Ms. Marigold Cobbina. The report revealed that despite their resilience, graduates with disabilities face systemic barriers such as weak policy enforcement, limited opportunities and social stigma, often beginning from early educational disadvantages. “They need environments that recognise and support their capacities,” she added.
Dr. Yvonne Lamptey, Director of Human Resource and Organisational Development at the University of Ghana, in giving her solidarity message, urged institutions to make intentional investments in accessible facilities and workplace support systems.
Professor Joana Salifu Yendork, Director of UG’s Centre for Disability Studies and Advocacy (CEDSA), reiterated that inclusion must extend beyond the classroom. She explained that while some support is available during university studies, students with disabilities often find themselves isolated when seeking jobs.
Delivering the keynote, lawyer and disability advocate Mr. Carruthers Tetteh, also a person with disability, emphasised that persistent perceptions about the abilities of persons with disabilities undermine their employability. Mr. Tetteh called for stronger enforcement of Ghana’s Disability Act (Act 715 of 2006). He argued that the lack of compliance with accessibility standards and weak incentives for employers have left many qualified graduates with disabilities excluded from opportunities.
The workshop concluded with a call to reframe inclusion not as a social obligation but as an investment in human capital and diversity. Stakeholders expressed optimism that findings from the research will inform policy and practice, ensuring that persons who are differently able are supported to transition successfully into the labour market.