Influence of Equal Opportunity on Employment of People with Disabilities in Ghana

Abstract

Purpose: The study sought to investigate the challenges and the influence of offering equal job opportunities to people with disabilities in Ghana.
 Methodology: The study adopted a desktop methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low-cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in the executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through online journals and library
 Results: The results revealed that in terms of supply, education emerged as a key aspect that employers looked at when it came to the employment of PWDs. Thus, it was seen as advantageous for PWDs to seek post-secondary and vocational education to enable them to access the labour market. Internships were also seen as a way for PWDs to gain relevant work experience and access the labour market. However, the transition rates into employment were quite low. Type of disability had a very strong relationship to the employment of PWDs. It was seen to negatively influence the employment of PWDs as HR personnel were more inclined to employ persons with physical disabilities than other types of disability. In conclusion employment of PWDs in the human resource sector was predicted by legislation, supply and type of disability
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: This study used virtue theory, the socio-economic theory of compliance and the Keynesian theory of employment. These theories may be used to anchor future studies in the employment sector. The study will benefit many stakeholders. The top management of companies in the country will also use the study findings to improve the employment sector and ensure high and stable performance in all their activities and programs. It is expected that the adoption of effective employment methods will help to improve efficiency in their major operations and activities. The study results will also benefit other stakeholders such as the policy makers as well as researchers and scholars from different parts of the world. Scholars may attempt to bridge the conceptual and contextual gaps identified in this study.