Accra: Chance for Childhood, an international charity focused on protecting and empowering vulnerable children across Africa, has called on the media to play a pivotal role in promoting inclusive education and eliminating stigma and discrimination against persons with disabilities in Ghana. This appeal was made during a media engagement event aimed at enhancing journalists' understanding of disability and their role in fostering an inclusive society.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Richard Opoku, the Country Representative of Chance for Childhood, emphasized that inclusive education is a collective responsibility involving schools, government, civil society, and the media. He highlighted that the media's choice of stories, images, and voices could either perpetuate negative stereotypes or promote respect for the rights, dignity, and potential of persons with disabilities. "This engagement aims to equip journalists with the knowledge needed to use your platforms to promote inclusion and support children with disabilities to participate fully in mainstream education," Mr. Opoku stated.
Despite the efforts by the Government, through the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES), to launch the Inclusive Education Policy in 2015, Mr. Opoku pointed out that inadequate funding continues to hinder its effective implementation. He urged the Government to increase budgetary allocation for inclusive education from less than one percent of the education budget to at least two percent. Such an increase, he argued, would support continuous teacher training and the provision of appropriate teaching and learning resources, ensuring that children with disabilities and other special educational needs can learn effectively.
Mr. Opoku also called for ongoing capacity building and motivation for teachers working with children with disabilities. He emphasized that government, NGOs, civil society, corporate organizations, and the media all have roles to play in supporting teachers and advancing inclusive education.
Madam Rebecca Ekpe, Vice President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and Coordinator of the event, advocated for the formation of a team of journalists dedicated to championing and sustaining public discourse on inclusive education. She stressed the urgency and importance of such initiatives in advancing the rights and needs of children with disabilities. Furthermore, she underscored the necessity for continuous capacity building for journalists to enhance their knowledge and skills, enabling them to better serve society and promote positive social change.