Criminal justice in Ghana as experienced by people with disabilities: An analysis of the availability, accessibility, acceptability, and quality of services

Abstract

Despite the immense exploitation, violence, abuse, prejudice, and neglect experienced by persons with disabilities, little is known about the accessibility of the criminal justice system to them in sub-Saharan African contexts. We adapted the availability, accessibility, acceptability, and quality of Services model (AAAQ model) of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to explore the participation of persons with disabilities in the criminal justice system. We used a semistructured interview guide to collect data from a sample of 20 participants: 10 with disabilities and 10 key informants. Based on all the levels of indicators (of the AAAQ model), we found that the criminal justice system was unfriendly toward persons with disabilities due to factors such as lack of funds, inaccessible physical environments, language and communication barriers, and negative attitudes toward persons with disabilities. We also discuss the need for governments to demonstrate commitment toward providing public legal institutions with adaptable facilities as well as to recruiting qualified persons who are knowledgeable about disability issues.