Ghana's PWDs demand inclusive road designs: accessibility must become construction standard

Persons with disabilities across Ghana are intensifying calls for infrastructure planners and contractors to prioritise accessibility in all road construction and bridge projects, arguing that newly built transport corridors risk excluding PWDs unless disability-friendly designs are mandated from the outset.

The push comes as Ghana continues significant road expansion and rehabilitation programmes under various government initiatives. Without deliberate inclusion of accessible features—such as ramps, tactile pavements for the blind, wheelchair-friendly pedestrian crossings and adequate signage—PWDs argue that modern infrastructure effectively renders them immobile in their own communities.

What accessibility means for PWDs in Ghana

Accessible road design encompasses several critical features. For wheelchair users, this includes smooth, unobstructed pavements and safe crossing points with gentle gradients. For persons with visual impairments, tactile paving guides navigation, whilst audible signals at traffic crossings provide essential information. For deaf persons, visual indicators complement audio alerts. Accessible public transport stops, well-maintained surfaces free from hazards, and clear wayfinding signage benefit all users, particularly the elderly and parents with pushchairs.

Ghana's existing road network frequently lacks these provisions. Many newly constructed roads feature elevated kerbs, broken pavements, or missing pedestrian infrastructure entirely, forcing PWDs into traffic lanes or making routes completely inaccessible with mobility aids.

Why this matters for Ghana

Approximately 3.5 million Ghanaians—roughly 12 percent of the population—live with some form of disability, according to recent census data. Many more become temporarily disabled through injury or age. Inaccessible infrastructure doesn't merely inconvenience; it locks PWDs out of employment, education, healthcare and social participation.

Ghana is signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and has domestic disability legislation mandating accessibility. However, enforcement remains weak. Road construction tenders rarely specify disability-inclusive design requirements, and contractors face minimal penalties for omissions. This creates a cycle where expensive infrastructure inadvertently reinforces segregation.

The economic argument is equally compelling. Accessible design—implemented during construction—costs marginally more than retrofitting later. Early planning prevents wasteful expenses and extends road usability across society. Countries treating accessibility as standard practice demonstrate improved road safety overall, reduced maintenance costs, and enhanced commercial activity in accessible areas.

The path forward

PWD organisations are calling on several stakeholders to act:

• Ghana Road Authority and Ministry of Roads: Incorporate mandatory accessibility standards into all construction contracts and conduct regular audits.
• Parliament: Strengthen enforcement mechanisms and penalties for non-compliance with accessibility requirements.
• Contractors and engineers: Embed disability-inclusive design expertise in project teams from planning through completion.
• Civil society: Establish monitoring mechanisms and consumer feedback channels to hold projects accountable.

Several successful models exist regionally. South Africa's road standards explicitly mandate accessible design, whilst Kenya's recent infrastructure projects have included disability consultations. Ghana can learn from these examples whilst adapting to local contexts.

The message from disability advocates is clear: accessibility isn't a luxury add-on or charity exercise—it's fundamental infrastructure planning. As Ghana invests billions in transport networks, including PWDs from day one is both a rights imperative and sound public policy.