The Head of Guide and Counselling Unit of the Ghana Education Service, Mrs Gifty Sekyi-Bremansu has urged government to pay special attention to children with disabilities in the country.

She said government should do everything in its capacity to support them in every aspect of their lives.

 Mrs Gifty Sekyi-Bremansu explained that giving special attention and support to children with disabilities would help them in their educational ladder and make them more useful citizens to society.

She was speaking at Adwinsa Children’s Show as part of the 2023 edition of the Ghana International Book Fair in Accra, under the theme, 'Disability is not Inability.'

About 5 million people in Ghana live with a disability, which is around a fifth of the population.

Approximately, 100,000 Ghanaian children aged 6-14 have a disability, and more than 16,000 of these children are out of school. Children with disabilities are often left at home, unable to go outside the house let alone make it to school. Many are shunned for their disability, marginalised and forgotten.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #4 seeks to bring all categories of learners (those with and those without disabilities) under one umbrella of a safe and conducive teaching and learning environment.

She  emphasized that the stigmatization associated with children alone discourages them in many activities especially learning. 

According to her, the stigma is widespread to the point that people with disability look isolated.

The Head of Guide and Counselling at the Ghana Education Service (GES), said there is the need for government and all relevant stakeholders to appreciate the fact that there is ability in disability for which reason such people must be supported.

She stressed the need for persons with disability to be considered in every decision making process adding that public facilities must be disability friendly.

The CEO of Adwinsa Publications, Mr Kwaku Oppong Amponsah said stigmatization of persons with disability affects their learning and reading capabilities hence they must be given special attention.

He said they were motivated by the dwindling levels of learning and reading amongst children with disabilities, and decided to put together the show to motivate them to feel that disability is not inability.

In his view, children with disabilities were created by God and also have a special purpose on earth, hence the need for government and the citizenry to create a conducive environment that makes them feel welcoming.

The Publisher expressed his commitment to continue to publish books that promote and support children with disabilities.

The show, which recorded high attendance was used to launch a new book published by Adwinsa Publications, titled 'Wings and Legs', with special focus on children with disabilities.