Category: General

Mr Richard Opoku, a Global Inclusion and Safeguarding Lead at Chance for Childhood, has called on the Ministry of Education to prioritise the implementation of Ghana's Inclusive Education Policy by committing adequate funding to make inclusiveness a reality. He also urged the Ghana Education Service to ensure that per the provisions of the Inclusive Education Policy, screening was conducted for every child who enrolled in primary school. That, he said, would ensure early identification, referrals, and assessment of disabilities in children and adequate support. 'Early detection will also ensure that all children with disabilities receive early and right intervening services to succeed in school and life,' he added. Mr Opoku, who made the call in an interview with GNA, said most children with disabilities were out of school due to the fear of stigmatisation and lack of family support. Also, lack of capacity in many basic schools to give the necessary help to children with disabilities is hindering child ren with such challenges from being out of school. According to the World Health Organisation, there are about 150 million children with disabilities worldwide. About 120 million of these children, representing 80 per cent, are in developing countries, and less than 1.2 million (10%) go to school. Mr Opoku noted in Ghana, there were an estimated 130,000 children with disabilities, but the figure could be quite higher, because not all children with disabilities are known. 'Averagely, only one out of every six children with disabilities are in school. It means that for each child with a disability who attends school, there are five others who do not get education'. He said: 'There are also many children who are in school but not learning because they have a disability or different learning need such as Dyslexia (reading and learning difficulties), but it is not identified at an early stage. 'Other learning difficulties affect other areas of learning. But very often these types of disabilities are overlooke d, and the child is left to struggle on their own. He said it was important that disabilities in children were identified as early as possible through screening and assessment for disabilities and other special needs to give adequate support for those who would need it. 'There are many studies that show that children who have been identified early are much more likely to get the help they need. They are better able to achieve at grade level, have fewer behavioural problems and develop social and emotional skills,' he noted. In 2015, the Ministry of Education launched the Inclusive Education Policy. This Policy is to ensure that all children with special needs in Ghana have access to education, including children with disabilities and children who are out of school for other reasons. The Policy prescribes that children with mild and moderate disabilities should be enrolled in mainstream schools. The special schools can only enroll children with severe disabilities and provide expertise services to the scho ols in their vicinity. The Inclusive Education Policy also emphasises the importance of screening and assessment, to identify diverse needs in children at an early stage. It states that 'all schools should undertake early identification, referral and intervention through periodic screening of all learners.' The policy further highlights that every child in primary school shall undergo an assessment twice every year, and assessment results shared with the parents. This provision in the policy is, however, yet to be fully implemented. Chance for Childhood is a child-centered NGO working to promote a safe school environment and inclusion of children with disabilities in mainstream education. Source: Ghana News Agency

The Hope for Future Generations (HFFG), a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), has commended the Government for its commitment to immunisation through the payment of 60 per cent of its co-financing agreement. It said that significant investment underscored the Government's dedication to the health and well-being of its citizens. A statement issued by the NGO, signed by Madam Cecilia Senoo, it's Executive Director, said Government's commitment to fulfilling its financial obligations for immunisation was a testament to its effort to achieving widespread vaccination coverage, strengthening the country's immunisation programmes ensuring the availability of vaccines, and bolstering healthcare infrastructure. 'However, while we acknowledge and appreciate this significant step, HFFG urges the government to expedite the release of the outstanding 40 percent, which amounts to approximately 3.4 million dollars,' it said. The statement said timely disbursement of the funds was critical to sustaining and enhancing t he impact of immunisation efforts across the country. It said it was essential for procuring vaccines to address current and emerging health threats and vaccine shortages. The statement said fully funded immunisation programmes ensured that Ghanaians had access to a comprehensive range of vaccines, protection of children from preventable diseases and primarily safeguarding the country against any form of shortage that could have adverse effect on the administration of vaccines, especially for children. It said the outstanding funds were vital for strengthening healthcare infrastructure and supporting outreach programmes. Those resources, the statement said, contributed to the development and sustenance of robust vaccination campaigns that got to even the most hard to reach and underserved communities. It said ensuring full funding for immunisation programmes was crucial in global health security with adequate resources enabling countries to respond swiftly to public health emergencies, protecting populat ions and preventing the spread of infectious diseases. 'HFFG remains committed to collaborating with the Government of Ghana and other stakeholders to advance public health goals and promote sustainable development. We believe that the release of the outstanding 40 per cent will further solidify Ghana's position as a leader in immunisation efforts, setting example for other nations to follow, whilst averting a potential public health crisis,' the statement said. The Organisation called on the media, Civil Society Organisations and the public to join it in advocating the timely release of the remaining funds to support the country's immunisation initiatives. Source: Ghana News Agency

Windhoek – Lukas Muha, Chairperson of the National Council, announced the completion of the 10th session of the sixth National Council in Namibia. The session, which began on November 20, 2023, focused on regional and national issues in line with the Namibian Constitution.

According to Namibian Press Agency (NAMPA), In a statement, Muha reported that the session was productive, with significant progress in parliamentary conduct. The council reviewed and passed several bills, including the Magistrate Court Amendment Bill (Bill 17-2023), the Electoral Amendment Bill (Bill 20-2023), and the Appropriation Amendment Bill (Bill 21-2023). Two additional bills, the High Court Amendment Bill (Bill 18-2023) and the Vehicle Mass Bill (Bill 19-2023), were deferred to the next session.

The session also saw the tabling of three motions, with two referred to standing committees and one postponed to a subsequent session. Muha commended the committees and delegations that submitted their reports promptly and encouraged timely submissions in future sessions.

Highlighting future legislative developments, Muha revealed that the Regional and Constituency Development Fund Bill, previously known as the Constituency Development Fund Bill, is expected to be tabled in the National Assembly early next year. He urged Parliament members to engage efficiently in the upcoming discussions on the bill to avoid delays.

Three candidates for December 24 local elections got their campaign off the ground in Sfax 1. The candidate of El Hzag community, Jebeniana, opted for direct contact with citizens in El Houaida and Ouled Mansour. Drinking water supply and the creation of an industrial zone top the candidate's electoral platform. His fellow candidate pledged to make of the region an attractive investment location and promote healthcare services. Women's employability was the main pledge of another candidate along with social secuity benefiots for low-income households. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Three persons are feared dead and nine others injured in a sporadic gun fire attack on a Yutong bus with registration number BA 860-21. The incident happened while the bus was travelling to Zuarungu in the Bolgatanga East District of the Upper East Region. The dead persons were two women, one believed to be in her thirties and a young man. District Superintendent of Police (DSP) Charles Sampah, the Police Commander at the Bolgatanga East District Police station, who confirmed the incident, told the Ghana News Agency that the Goaso bound bus, loaded with passengers from Garu in the Garu district, was attacked by three unidentified armed men on reaching Kongo in the Nabdam district. He said the three unidentified armed men emerged from the bush and opened sporadic gun shots on the bus killing the three on reaching Kong, where there were some speed rumps. DSP Sampah said the driver did not stop but drove to the Zuarungu Custom barrier and alerted the officers there who also relayed the information to the P olice. He said because the people inside the bus were injured the driver rushed to the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital to seek medical care for them, and the regional CID was informed. He said ongoing investigation indicated that the attack was affiliated to the Bawku conflict and added that the Police were doing their best to get the perpetrators arrested. Earlier, the Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police David Fianko-Okyere, in charge of Public Affairs, said further detailed information would be provided by the Police in charge at the Zuarungu district. Source: Ghana News Agency