The Deputy Minister for Education, Dr Clement Abas Apaak, has reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to promoting inclusive education for children with disabilities across Ghana.
Speaking at a donation ceremony in Accra, Dr Apaak said the government, under President John Mahama, places a high priority on including persons with disabilities (PWDs) in mainstream education.
He noted that the Ministry of Education is working to ensure all children, especially those with special needs, have access to quality education in environments that support their development.
He cited the recent announcement of a free tertiary education policy for PWDs as an example of the government’s dedication to inclusive education.
The donation event was organised by the NGO Chance for Childhood (CFC), in partnership with the Ghana Education Service (GES). A total of 275 public basic schools in 17 districts across the Northern and Greater Accra regions received teaching and learning materials to support children with disabilities.
The donated items included puzzles, block letters and numbers, sandpaper letters, abacuses, building blocks, colour towers, and animal puzzles. These materials are intended to help teachers better support students with special needs in the classroom.
Dr Apaak commended CFC for its continued efforts to bridge gaps in inclusive education. He highlighted the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that children with disabilities are included in all levels of education and have equal learning opportunities.
He also acknowledged CFC’s role in early screening and assessment of children with disabilities, as well as training teachers—especially at the pre-primary level—on how to provide specialised support.
The Director of Early Childhood Education at the GES, Adisa Tessa, expressed concern about the limited focus on early childhood education in Ghana. She emphasised that the first five years of a child’s life are crucial for development and called for greater investment in that stage.
The Country Representative of Chance for Childhood, Abdul-Gaffar Adam, said the donation was part of the organisation’s wider plan to promote inclusive education. However, he pointed out that funding challenges remain a major barrier to expanding these efforts to more regions. He noted that teacher training, disability screening, and community engagement require significant resources, limiting the organisation’s reach beyond the Northern and Greater Accra regions.
