Disability issues have not received much attention in public and scientific discourse in Ghana. However, the recent Population and Housing Census reports that the proportion of individuals reporting disabilities increased from 3% in 2010 to 7.8% in 2021. Therefore, it is important to understand the nature of disability in Ghana to inform critical interventions and directions for policy development. This chapter examines the socio-demographic profile of disability in Ghana using data from the 2010 and 2021 Population and Housing censuses. The analysis examines disability across various forms, including physical, visual, hearing, speech, and cognitive impairments, with disaggregated by socio-demographic factors such as age, sex, marital status, education, and economic activity. Key findings reveal that while more females reported disabilities in both censuses, males reported more severe impairments. Additionally, people with disabilities face significant socioeconomic challenges, including lower levels of education, higher rates of exclusion from the labour force, a greater likelihood of being unmarried, and a higher concentration in rural areas. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and the need to ensure improved accessibility for greater social inclusion. Gender-specific policy interventions are also essential, as sex differentials in disability status highlight the vulnerability of women and girls with disabilities. The low economic and social participation of people with disabilities warrants targeted research to support policies for greater social inclusion.

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A Socio-Demographic Profile of Disability in Ghana

  • Lily Kpobi,
  • Charlotte Abra Esime Ofori

摘要

Disability issues have not received much attention in public and scientific discourse in Ghana. However, the recent Population and Housing Census reports that the proportion of individuals reporting disabilities increased from 3% in 2010 to 7.8% in 2021. Therefore, it is important to understand the nature of disability in Ghana to inform critical interventions and directions for policy development. This chapter examines the socio-demographic profile of disability in Ghana using data from the 2010 and 2021 Population and Housing censuses. The analysis examines disability across various forms, including physical, visual, hearing, speech, and cognitive impairments, with disaggregated by socio-demographic factors such as age, sex, marital status, education, and economic activity. Key findings reveal that while more females reported disabilities in both censuses, males reported more severe impairments. Additionally, people with disabilities face significant socioeconomic challenges, including lower levels of education, higher rates of exclusion from the labour force, a greater likelihood of being unmarried, and a higher concentration in rural areas. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and the need to ensure improved accessibility for greater social inclusion. Gender-specific policy interventions are also essential, as sex differentials in disability status highlight the vulnerability of women and girls with disabilities. The low economic and social participation of people with disabilities warrants targeted research to support policies for greater social inclusion.