News
Give urgent attention to challenges facing children with ASD in Ghana …Advocate calls
A passionate advocate for children with autism, Ms Jessica Datsa, is calling for urgent attention to the challenges facing children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Ghana.
According to her, the lack of specific policies, societal stigma, and inadequate support systems are major barriers to the proper education and development of children on the spectrum.
Ms Datsa is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of iElevate, a non-governmental organisation focused on advocacy for learners in school including people with special needs.
It is also involved in training of teachers, corporate institutions and groups, awareness creation, public education, research and philanthropic work for special needs community.
“Autism is a spectrum disorder, which means it affects children in varying degrees, from mild to profound,” Ms Datsa explains adding that it is a neurological and developmental disorder that impacts communication, behaviour, and social interaction.
She describes how children with autism often show signs such as failure to respond to their names, lack of eye contact, repetitive behaviours, hyperactivity, and learning difficulties.
Some children are verbal while others are non-verbal, with many suffering from anxiety, seizures, or other health conditions, adding that these children, need love, attention, and specially tailored education to thrive.
Ms Datsa stresses the crucial role of parents and teachers in supporting children with ASD, thereby encouraging parents to be active participants in their children’s therapy and not isolate them from society.
In the classroom, she says, teachers must be aware of triggers such as noise and strong scents, which can lead to sensory overload and anxiety in autistic children.
“It’s the teacher’s duty to create a calm and safe environment. Most importantly, they need training in how to manage and teach children with ASD,” she added.
She also highlighted the lack of government support. “All autism schools in Ghana are privately owned. The government does not have a single school specifically for children with autism.
According to the Co-Founder and Executive Director of iElevate, Ghana has an Inclusive Education Policy of 2015, but it is too broad and that Ghana needs a dedicated policy for autism.
Ms Datsa said many teachers in inclusive schools are not adequately trained to handle children with autism, which leads to further neglect.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
The Ghana Police Service has launched a manhunt for a suspect in connection with the disappearance of a 27 year old man at Oyibi.
In a press release dated April 14, 2026, the Police identified the suspect as Wisdom Tetteh and said he is being sought over the disappearance of Theophilus Ashitey Amarh.
According to the Police, the case was reported on April 7, 2026, after the victim failed to return home.
He had left the previous day with the intention of selling his Hyundai Elantra saloon car after being introduced to a prospective buyer by the suspect.
Investigations revealed that the victim was last seen at the suspect’s residence at Saasabi, where he had gone to meet the supposed buyer.
The Police noted that a follow up visit to the suspect’s residence on April 10 led to the discovery of suspected bloodstains in a room, raising concerns of possible foul play.
The scene has since been examined by the National Crime Scene Management Team with support from the Anti Armed Robbery Unit of the CID Headquarters.
The Police added that search efforts involving community members and local authorities have been carried out in the area, but the victim is yet to be found.
Further intelligence suggests that the suspect may have fled the country to neighbouring Togo.
The Police indicated that steps, including INTERPOL processes, have been initiated to track and arrest him.
The Command assured the public that all necessary measures are being taken to arrest the suspect and uncover what happened.
It also urged anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspect or the missing person to report to the nearest police station to assist investigations.
By: Jacob Aggrey
A team member of the Kwahu Business Forum and special aide to the Chief of staff, Benjamin Essuman has revealed that the team is working on developing the forum into a major platform to support business growth and policy dialogue in Ghana.
According to him, efforts are underway to transform the Kwahu Business Village into an International Conference Hub that will attract businesses and investors from across the world.
He made the remarks during an interview with ghanaiantimes.com.gh journalist, Jacob Aggrey in Accra.
He said the forum was designed to bring together regulators, policymakers, entrepreneurs and investors to share ideas and help shape policies that support business development.
According to him, the concept began in 2024 when John Dramani Mahama and his Chief of Staff conceived the idea during the Easter period in Kwahu, where many entrepreneurs gather annually.
He said the first edition created a platform for business people to engage leadership directly and present their concerns.
According to him, the success of the maiden event led to the decision to make it an annual forum.
He said the second edition in 2025 focused on improving access to finance by bringing banks and financial institutions to interact with businesses.
He said institutions such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank participated and engaged entrepreneurs on funding opportunities.
According to him, the forum has now gone beyond dialogue and has become a platform for partnerships, negotiations and investment deals.
He said some entrepreneurs who participated in previous editions have secured support from financial institutions, with their projects progressing steadily.
According to him, the presence of the President at the forum continues to boost confidence among businesses and deepen engagement.
He said the 2026 edition was larger than the previous ones and was held at the newly developed Kwahu Business Village.
According to him, traditional authorities in Kwahu donated about 150 acres of land to support the development of a permanent business conference centre.
He said the forum is attracting both local and international companies, creating opportunities for networking and collaboration.
According to him, the initiative also promotes tourism activities such as paragliding in collaboration with the Ghana Tourism Authority.
He said the forum will continue to be held in Kwahu and is being positioned as Ghana’s version of the World Economic Forum.
Mr.Easuman further challenges such as overcrowding in previous editions have been addressed through the introduction of a digital registration system.
He said small scale businesses must take advantage of opportunities such as partnerships, mergers and government incentives to expand.
According to him, entrepreneurs should also collaborate with institutions like the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority to access international markets.
He said the long term vision includes developing the Kwahu Business Village into a world class facility capable of hosting global conferences, with possible plans to construct an airstrip.
According to him, the forum remains an important platform for businesses seeking growth, funding and expansion beyond Ghana.
Background
The Kwahu Business Forum was introduced in 2024 as an initiative to bring together business leaders and government officials during the Easter festivities in Kwahu.
It was conceived as a platform for dialogue but has since evolved into an annual event focused on promoting investment, networking and policy engagement to strengthen Ghana’s business environment.
By: Jacob Aggrey
