He stated that in line with implementing the Inclusive Education Policy in Ghana, the ministry was increasing its efforts to improve equitable access to quality inclusive education for learners with disabilities and other special educational needs.

“This government places a top priority on inclusion, and we aspire to build an inclusive society where everyone is valued and can thrive in a supportive environment.

“In this regard, the Ministry of Education is strongly committed to promoting the inclusion of children with disabilities and other special needs in mainstream education. 
We firmly believe that all our children and persons with disabilities must have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential in quality educational settings that best meet their needs.

The recent announcement by President Mahama regarding the free tertiary education policy for persons with disabilities attests to the strong commitment we attach to inclusive education,” Dr Apaak stated.

The minister was speaking at a donation of teaching and learning materials to 275 public basic schools in 17 districts across the Northern and Greater Accra regions.

The donation was done by a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Chance for Childhood (CFC), in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES).

The initiative aimed at enhancing the capacity of schools to include children with disabilities and special needs into mainstream basic education.

The donated materials included toddler puzzles, block alphabets and numbers, sandpaper letters and numbers, abacuses, building blocks, colour towers, animal puzzles, and other educational resources. 

The Deputy Minister further stated that the Ministry acknowledged that promoting inclusive education required strong collaboration among key stakeholders.

“For this reason, we commend Chance for Childhood for playing an active role in bridging gaps in the delivery of quality inclusive education in Ghana.

“Chance for Childhood’s holistic inclusive interventions align with the Ministry’s efforts to promote inclusive education by ensuring that all children, including those with disabilities, at all levels of education, have equitable access to quality education, fully participate in classroom activities and achieve learning outcomes,” Dr Apaak said.

He said, for instance, that the organisation’s major interventions, such as screening and assessment for learners at the Early Childhood Education (ECE) level, would ensure early detection and intervention for children with disabilities.

Additionally, training teachers in disability inclusion, especially for pre-primary teachers, will ensure that they are adequately equipped to provide differentiated and individualised learning support to children with disabilities. 

The Director of Early Childhood Education at the GES, Adisa Tessa, expressed concern over the limited attention given to early childhood education in the country.

She stressed that the first five years of a child’s life were critical, and missing out on education during this period can have lasting negative impacts.

The Country Representative of Chance for Childhood, Abdul-Gaffar Adam, said the donation forms part of the organisation’s broader strategy to integrate children with disabilities into mainstream basic education.

He stated, however, that the cost of implementing inclusive education remains a significant challenge. “Our dual-level intervention, which includes teacher training, disability screening and community advocacy, requires substantial resources.

This limits our ability to expand beyond the Northern and Greater Accra regions,” he explained.