Special Olympics Ghana signs MoU with GES to promote inclusive play-based programmes

Special Olympics Ghana, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing year-round sports training and athletic competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ghana Education Service (GES) to promote the inclusion of all children in play-based programmes in Ghanaian schools.

Through the MoU, the GES will make its facilities, teachers, and students available for Special Olympics Ghana competitions, training, and capacity building.

This partnership aims to foster interest in sports among children with intellectual disabilities, providing them with ongoing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families.

The Deputy Director of the GES, Stephen Kwaku Owusu, an interview after the signing of the MoU yesterday the MoU solidifies the government's commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind under the new play-based curriculum.

He acknowledged Special Olympics Ghana's expertise in organizing sports events for children with intellectual disabilities and recognized their suitability as partners to provide the necessary training and skills for all special children.

Dr. Ebenezer Owusu, the Board Chairman of Special Olympics Ghana, expressed his appreciation for the MoU, stating that it would enable his organization to expand its reach to more schools and communities across the country.

He explained that under the MoU, his organization would promote inclusive sports that can be played by all children.

Dr. Owusu expressed optimism that the success of this new partnership would contribute to Ghana's success at the Special Olympics Summer Games.

The President of Special Olympics Africa Region, Charles Nyambe, expressed gratitude to Dr. Eric Nkansah, the Director-General of the GES, for his visionary and practical leadership in accepting Special Olympics as a partner. He also highlighted the alignment of Special Olympics Unified Sports Programs with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Convention on the Rights for People with Disabilities, to which Ghana's government is a signatory.

Nyambe affirmed Special Olympics' commitment to supporting the Government of Ghana in achieving these goals through the Unified Champion Schools Project. He concluded by expressing Special Olympics Africa's honor in witnessing such a significant milestone – the ratification of Ghana's commitment to expanding inclusive programming in schools across the country.