GTBank autism workshop: GHS steps up autism support, finalises community-based plan — Director General
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is finalising a plan to introduce practical, enhanced community-based solutions to support autistic persons.
The intervention is also to foster inclusion and improve outcomes for persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, in a keynote address at the opening session of a workshop on autism organised by the Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) Ltd (GTBank) in Accra yesterday, said the GHS was actively training frontline health workers — including community health nurses and midwives — to identify early signs of ASD, provide immediate support, and facilitate timely referrals for diagnosis and care.
Consequently, the director-general stressed the need for early diagnosis, timely interventions, increased awareness, and supportive services to improve the quality of life for individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Workshop
The workshop, which will run until Thursday, is part of the "Empowering Voices for Autism" initiative by the GTBank, meant to create awareness of the disorder and empower stakeholders, especially parents and caregivers of children living with autism.
The workshop, the fourth Annual Autism workshop and consultation, features a team of medical experts conducting one-on-one consultation sessions throughout the four days.
The team of specialists include speech needs educators, speech language pathologists, certified behaviour analysts, inclusion specialists, autism support specialists, occupational therapists and psychiatrists drawn from the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Canada, Nigeria and Ghana.
The Managing Director of the GTBank Ghana, Thomas Attah John, along with board members and staff of the bank, representatives from the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Health, as well as parents, caregivers and students, were present at the workshop.
Misunderstood
"For too long, neurodevelopmental differences such as autism have been misunderstood, often leading to stigma, isolation and exclusion.
“Today, we are being called to move beyond mere awareness to tangible action — to foster inclusion, celebrate diversity and unlock the full potential of every child living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD),” Prof. Akoriyea said in a keynote address read his behalf by the Director of Family Health at the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Kennedy T. C. Brightson.
Speaking on the theme: “From Awareness to Action: Advancing Autism Inclusion”, the GHS director general said it was a timely call to move beyond passive awareness into tangible, measurable efforts that create inclusive opportunities for all.
The director general further commended the GTBank Ghana for its longstanding leadership in autism advocacy and inclusive corporate social responsibility, saying: “the GTBank’s commitment to this cause is a model for others in Ghana and beyond.”
The Board Chairperson of the GTBank Ghana, Irene Baaba Hagan, said the bank’s commitment to social responsibility went beyond financial services and focused on building inclusive societies where every individual could reach their full potential.
She emphasised that autism inclusion was not charity but a right; hence, together they could ensure that that right was upheld.
“While awareness is vital, it is no longer enough.
We must transform understanding into concrete interventions: inclusive education, accessible healthcare and supportive communities where every child can be themselves, be accepted and be guided to become a meaningful part of our society,” the GTBank Ghana board chairperson said.
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Minta Akandoh, whose speech was read on his behalf by the Director of the Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Dr Anastasia Yirenkyi, commended the GTBank for its continued dedication and commitment to raising awareness and supporting persons with ASD and their families.
The minister said inclusion was not just a concept, but ensuring that children with autism had access to quality education, health care and opportunities to contribute meaningfully to society.
Mr Akandoh said the ministry was committed to collaborating with the GTBank Ghana and other stakeholders to improve early interventions and support services for autistic individuals.
