Persons with disability are a diverse group of people who have the potential to contribute significantly towards nation-building.

 However, they are seen as a vulnerable group in the sense that they are usually neglected and sidelined when it comes to mainstream society.

 Persons with disability go through several barriers in their lives which include architectural barriers, information barriers, transportation barriers, negative connotations about their abilities and beliefs that they are cursed. 

All these barriers impede their equal participation within the mainstream society and it does not promote their wellbeing.

 Persons with disability are sidelined when it comes to major activities in the country.

 In Ghana for instance, not many persons with disability are involved in politics because of the major negative connotations that trend in that sector.

 A few persons with a disability occupy high positions in society.

 This is all due to the barriers they face in mainstream society.

 In most cases, persons with disability are denied several employment opportunities as a result of their disability. 

Even though the Persons with Disability Act 715 stipulates that companies that employ persons with disability will be given tax rebates, however, this is not fully operational and most companies do not know about this.

 Even in education, not all schools are accessible to persons with disability. As at 2023, some schools are still not accessible to persons with disability. 

This will affect the educational training of persons with disability and it does not promote the inclusive education policy. 

Persons with disability not having access to education results in some of them becoming illiterates. 

This does not auger well for them since not all of them can contribute significantly towards the growth of the country as illiterates. 

This does not ensure the realization of the sustainable development goals which talk about education for all. Education and employment are key in ensuring nation building. 

Nation Building requires expertise, good knowledge and the right work and effort. 

However, if persons with disability are sidelined when it comes to education and employment, how do we expect them to contribute towards nation building? 

This story can change when persons with disability are offered the right job and they have access to quality education. Nation-building requires the contribution of several sectors of the economy and it has become pertinent to know the contributions that come from persons with disability. 

Let us all come on board to ensure that persons with disability contribute significantly towards nation building.

Source: Mavis Yaa Konadu Agyemang