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Don’t turn Special Schools into ‘dumping grounds’ …Parents told
Fi III
The reason why children with special needs are taken to special schools is to bring them up under special conditions by specially trained personnel.
However, it appears some parents have other reasons apart from what is stated above.
Investigations by The Spectator has revealed that some parents and guardians have turned these special schools into ‘dumping grounds’, where they take their wards ostensibly to be educated but ends up abandoning them.
These parents refuse to visit the children throughout the period they stay at the Special Schools in order to avoid the stigma of being treated with contempt by unfriendly members of the society for having such children.
The Chairman for the Parents Association of the Tetteh Ocloo State School for the Deaf at Tema, Nana Barima Fi III, confirmed this in an interview and admitted that it was a challenge the association is facing with.
Nana Barima Fi III said these parents and guardians also do not participate in any activity aimed at promoting the welfare of the children.
But in his view, times have changed for any parent to feel bad for having special children, adding that, “it was rather important to draw these children closer to them and encourage them to be the best they can.”
He added that it was a matter of concern that a meeting of about 300 pupils with special needs would attract just about 50 parents.
Sadly, attempts to get such parents and guardians to have a change of behaviour have not been successful.
He further said parents and guardians who had shown interest in whatever the pupils do over the years would testify about the changes in their wards, giving credence to the saying that, ‘disability is not inability.’
“We need to encourage the children so that their talents will blossom to give their best to make the world a better place,” he appealed.
He recommended that children in the various special schools to be given an opportunity to choose any vocational or technical skill even at the basic school level so that they would be at a better placed to decide whether they would go to a secondary school or a technical or vocational school on completion.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema.
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Health Minister leads delegation Mimi Darko’s appointment as AMA Director General
Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister for Health and Member of Parliament has led a delegation to secure the appointment of Dr Delese Mimi Darko, Chief Executive Officer of the Food and Drugs Authority, as the Director General of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) during the ongoing 2nd Ordinary Session of the Conference of State Parties in Kigali, Rwanda.
This prestigious appointment, achieved through a competitive process, marks a proud and historic moment for Ghana and the entire continent.
It highlights Dr. Darko’s exceptional leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to enhancing public health and regulatory systems across Africa.
The Minister expressed his deep appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for his strong support and leadership throughout this process.
Mr.Akandoh congratulated Dr. Mimi Darko and Team Ghana for their incredibly successful campaign.
The AMA was established by the African Union on November 5, 2021, with the primary objective of improving access to quality, safe, and effective medical products throughout the continent. Its creation aims to facilitate the regulation and oversight of essential medicines at a continental level while promoting collaboration among African countries and regions.
The Agency’s mission is to provide leadership in creating an enabling regulatory environment for the pharmaceutical sector in Africa, ensuring that the African population has access to essential medical products and technologies.
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Police arrest five suspects involved in robbery cases in Ashanti Region
The Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) in the Ashanti Region has informed the public about a recent breakthrough in the fight against armed robbery in the Denchemuoso District.
Following a series of robbery incidents in the area, on April 22, 2025, PID/Ashanti operatives, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended one Michael Owusu Ansah, alias Baby Last, aged 32.
The suspect had been on the police wanted list since 2016 in connection with a robbery and the murder of Police Officer G/Cpl Frank Essel of SWAT/Ashanti, which occurred at the Open Space Hotel in Denchemuoso on May 19, 2016.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to engaging in multiple street and residential robberies in Denchemuoso, Atwima-Techiman, Asuoyeboah, and surrounding areas.
He also disclosed that his gang operated with knives, pistols, and pump-action guns.
Further investigations led to the identification and arrest of his accomplices, namely:Emmanuel Owusu, alias Cassidy, Maxwell Gyimah, alias Nana Kwame, Sudais Oxford Ntiamoah, alias The Man Sudais and Rhano Okyere, alias Demon
These individuals were arrested from their hideouts within Atwima-Techiman and Denchemuoso.
However, one suspect, remains at large and efforts are underway to apprehend him and recover the weapons used in the robberies.
All five arrested suspects were arraigned before the Atasomanso Circuit Court on May 13, 2025.
They were remanded into police custody and are scheduled to reappear on June 4, 2025.
