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Families want state support for autism care: GTBank's efforts commended - Monday workshop focuses on inclusion, acceptance

Diana Mensah Jul - 17 - 2025 , 12:31 5 minutes read

Families of children with autism have appealed to the government for support to enhance care and improve the well-being of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the country.

The families said more professionals should be trained to support such children and their families, who suffer quietly over care, finance and unending frustrations.

“The government should consider creating institutions, and train more professionals to support these children. Perhaps a centre where parents who can't afford private care can still get help.

That would go a long way to relieve the burden on families,” a mother with an ASD child told the Daily Graphic.

The mother of a 12-year-old girl diagnosed with autism was among five such parents who shared powerful stories from the annual autism conference that had shaped their care for their children.

Context

The annual conference organised by Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) Ltd (GTBank) to create awareness of autism has left a lasting impact on families, helping to navigate the complex challenge of managing children with the condition.

Until the national initiative by GTBank four years ago, awareness was largely limited to the families of children with ASD, who had to search endlessly to access the right information to help in caring for children with the lifelong developmental disability that affects how people communicate, interact with others and experience the world.

The Managing Director of GTBank Ghana, Thomas Attah John, told the Daily Graphic that this year’s Autism workshop, slated for July 21 to 24, would be a reminder that inclusion and acceptance were a responsibility.

“Our theme for this year: “From Awareness to Action: Advancing Autism Inclusion”, challenges us to deepen our understanding, push for better systems and ensure that individuals on the autism spectrum are not just supported but empowered, included and celebrated,” he added.

Mr John further stated that this year’s conference was a reaffirmation of the bank’s commitment to advance efforts to drive impactful action and inclusive change.

“Progress is measured not only by policies and programmes but by the everyday opportunities we create for every child and every individual,” the GTBank MD added.

Workshop

⁠The Autism Workshop is scheduled to take place at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), on Monday, July 21, this year, will be followed by a free three-day one-on-one consultation clinic from Tuesday, July 22 to Thursday, July 24, this year.

Impact stories

The mother of the 12-year-old, identified only as “BB”, urged private institutions to join GTBank to deepen support for children with autism.

"I heard about the GTBank Autism Conference through a friend who encouraged me to participate," she said.

BB said the most important takeaway from the conference was the practical guidance on speech improvement.

“One of the facilitators gave us useful tips and exercises to improve her speech clarity.

We started using the sounds and activities she recommended, and I’ve already seen a difference.

Her clarity is better now, and her speech is gradually improving,” she said.

She, however, said the journey had not been without challenges, mentioning specifically the financial strain involved in caring for a child with autism, particularly when multiple specialists were needed.

“Some educators charge a lot because of how demanding the work is. If you don’t have a strong financial background, it becomes difficult to provide the necessary care,” she said, lending credence to calls on the government to step up support for families affected by autism.

What GTBank is doing is really commendable. We are grateful, but they could go a step further by helping to create centres or supporting tutors financially. Sometimes it’s not that parents don’t want to seek help; it’s just the cost that holds them back,” she said.

As the GTBank Autism Conference continues to evolve, she suggested expanding its reach to other regions beyond Accra.

GTBank intervention

Another parent, who identified himself as Tom, said the GTBank Autism Conference and workshop had been more than just an annual gathering, deeming it a turning point in his family's journey with an autistic child.

The father of a seven-year-old boy diagnosed with the condition, who is also a beneficiary of the conference, recounted how the initiative moved his family from a place of confusion and fear to one of clarity and empowerment.

He revealed that the GTBank Autism Initiative had not only given them knowledge and resources but also a renewed sense of hope.

“My son will turn seven on July 20. We noticed around age three that he wasn’t talking as expected.

At first, I didn’t think much of it; everyone says boys talk later than girls.

But my wife was worried. We eventually went to the hospital, filled out some questionnaires, and were told he had mild autism,” he said.

Mr Tom explained that the diagnosis hit the family hard, and with limited public awareness and few available resources, they struggled to understand the condition and how to support their son until they discovered the GTBank Autism clinic.

He said the conference had given him the relevant information and the encouragement he needed.

“I no longer see my son as a ‘problem’; I see him as someone with potential,” he said.

Since attending the conference, he said the family had remained committed to consistent therapy, both speech and occupational, adding that his son, who once struggled to communicate, could now express himself, make requests and interact more meaningfully.

“His progress is amazing. We’ve been advised to put him in a mainstream school this academic year.

That was unthinkable two years ago,” he said.