Provide adequate funding for inclusive-education

The government needs to provide adequate funding for inclusive-education policy in the country, Chance for Childhood (CfC), a non-governmental organisa­tion (NGO), has advocated.

According to the Senior Pro­grammes Manager/Global Safeguard­ing Lead of CfC, Richard Opoku, this would help reduce stigmatisation against children and persons with disability and uphold their right to education

Mr Opoku said this at a sensitsa­tion programme organised for resi­dents at Maamobi in Accra to educate them on disability issues.

The programme, held on the theme ‘What you must know about disabil­ity and impairment’, was organised by the NGO in collaboration with Ayawaso North Municipal Education Directorate to promote inclusive-education and safe learning environ­ment for children with disability.

Mr Opoku said education on disability issues in the communities were low, adding that parents and caregivers must be abreast with issues on disability to provide support to children with special needs.

He also added that it was crucial to support children and young people in Africa who faced inequalities, such as lack of access to education and to provide them with tools and skills to build the future.

Mr Opoku called on civil society organisations and religious groups to intensify advocacy in order to ensure the rights of children with disabilities were protected in the country.

The Special Education Coordinator of Ayawaso North Municipal As­sembly, Mr Emmanuel Kwaku Edem, said the programme would help parents and caregivers with the right information and knowledge to cater for children with special needs.

He urged parents to discard myth surrounding children with disability, adding that parents and caregivers should support children with special needs to become useful to the society.

“Don’t hide your children with special needs at home, support them to exhibit their talents to the benefit of our communities,” he added.

The Education Coordinator urged the public to desist from stigmatising persons with disabilities, commended the leadership of the CfC for the initiative and called for more of such collaboration.

As part of the occasion, fliers on disability issues were distributed to members of the community.

 BY ANITA NYARKO-YIRENKYI