Graduates with Disabilities Petition Presidency Over 5% Job Quota
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Graduates with Disabilities Petition Presidency Over Unfulfilled 5% Public Sector Job Quota
The Coalition of Unemployed Graduates with Disabilities has petitioned the Presidency over what it describes as the government’s failure to fulfil its promise to reserve five per cent of public sector recruitment opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The group presented its concerns on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, after picketing in front of the Jubilee House to demand concrete action to address unemployment among graduates with disabilities.
However, the coalition initially refused to submit its petition to Dr Samuel Ayeh, who had been designated to receive the document, insisting that they wanted to engage directly with the Chief of Staff, Vice President or President.
Lead Convener of the group, Gilbert Boateng, explained that the decision was based on previous experiences in which petitions submitted to government representatives had not resulted in the action they were seeking.
When we came here for the first time, and Madam Shamima Muslim came, we thought that our issues were going to be resolved by the government, but we realized that, at the end of the day, Madam Shamima Muslim, the issues were above her, so she couldn’t do anything, he said.
Mr Boateng said the coalition therefore wanted an opportunity to speak directly with a senior government official capable of addressing their concerns.
He maintained that the group would not initially hand over the petition to another representative, stressing that they had presented petitions on previous occasions without seeing meaningful action.
Presidency representative defends role
Dr Samuel Ayeh, however, maintained that he was a senior member of government at the Office of the President and had been assigned to receive the petition on behalf of the Presidency.
I stand here, I am also a senior member of government at the Office of the President, and I am standing instead of His Excellency the President, he said.
Dr Ayeh said he respected the coalition’s decision if they believed he was not the appropriate person to receive the document, but assured them that their concerns would be communicated to the relevant authorities.
The graduates eventually agreed to hand over the petition but stressed that they expected the government to take concrete action on their demands.
Graduates demand implementation of 5% quota
The Coalition of Unemployed Graduates with Disabilities is calling for the implementation of the proposed five per cent public sector recruitment quota for persons with disabilities.
They also want government to introduce concrete measures to address the high level of unemployment among graduates with disabilities.
The group says the failure to implement the promised recruitment quota has left many qualified graduates without employment opportunities despite their educational qualifications.
The coalition is therefore urging the government to move beyond promises and ensure that persons with disabilities are given fair and meaningful opportunities within the public sector.
