The Member of Parliament for Kwesimintsim, Philip Fiifi Buckman has assured that challenges of health and education needs for autistic and other special needs kids will soon be resolved. He gave this assurance at the 5th Autism Awareness public durbar organised by EIB’s Western Cluster Autism Community, held by Radio 360 and Empire FM.
“I am pleased to have heard all your concerns, and I want to assure you that all your concerns are things that can be done because I believe in action,” he assured.
Enumerating some of the key challenges confronting service delivery to autistic and other special needs children at the durbar, a medical and child health specialist, Dr. Nana Esi Gaisie of the Kwesimintsim Hospital, pointed out that the region lacks essential health services for special children, especially those with autism, forcing parents to travel outside the region to access such services.
“The whole of the Western and Western North Regions—special children, especially autistic children—do not get the care they need. This care includes speech therapy, behavioural therapy, and occupational therapy. Autistic children, as well as other special needs children who require such services, always have to travel to Cape Coast and Kumasi to access them,” she explained.
On her part, the Head of the Special Education Division of the Ghana Education Service (GES) at EKMA, Margaret Botsio, underscored how hugely challenged her outfit is.
“There are over 14,320 learners in our public schools across 67 public schools, with over 100 private schools, all handled by only three special educators. We are appealing to the government for the construction of resource centres, and we also need more special educators at EKMA, as only three special educators are handling over 100 private schools,” she appealed.
Meanwhile, the moderator, Dina Amankwa, a lecturer at the Takoradi Technical University, admonished that the engagement must not end up as the usual political promises that are often left unfulfilled.
“This should not be political talk. We need to make sure this is done, and I will personally follow up with the MP on this matter,” she noted.
The Autism Awareness Open Forum brought together stakeholders, community leaders, and residents to promote dialogue, challenge misconceptions, and deepen public understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder, following a month-long on-air awareness campaign on both Radio 360 and Empire FM.
Partners for the event included Christ The King Methodist Child and Youth Development Centre, also known as Compassion; Happy Tummy Foods; and Rose’s Royalty Lodge and Events.
Source: Hajia Fati Karim/Empire Fm/Takoradi
