The State of CHILD and ADOLESCENT Mental Health in Ghana

Children with disabilities (CwDs) are among the most marginalized groups in society constantly experiencing barriers to the enjoyment of their basic human rights. On the global level, it is estimated that there are about 93 million children with disabilities. The World Health Organization also estimates that about 10 percent of the world’s children and young people have sensory, intellectual or mental health impairment.

According to the 2010 population census, about 17.8 percent of Persons with Disabilities in Ghana are between ages 0-14. 3 Ghana is a signatory to a number of international instruments seeking to protect CwDs, including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (Article 23). Furthermore, the 1992 Constitution (Articles 28 and 29), the Children’s Act (Act 560) 1998, the Disability
Act 2006 (Act 715), the Education Strategic Plan 2018 - 2030, and the inclusive Education all seek to protect the rights of CwD and facilitate their inclusion in national development processes. The enforcement and implementation of these laws and policies, has seen Ghana make some strides in protecting the rights of CwDs and offering them the enabling environment to develop. This notwithstanding, major challenges remain, and further effort needs to be put in place to protect CwDs from discrimination and facilitate their rapid inclusion in all aspects of the national development process.