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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
For generations of graduates, the University of Ghana has shaped some of life’s most meaningful moments.
It is where lifelong friendships were formed, marriages began, business ideas took shape, partnerships were built, entrepreneurs nurtured, and identities discovered.
UG became a shared home, one that inspired pride and a deep sense of belonging. Yet, as the years pass and life takes alumni into different careers, countries, and seasons, many gradually lose touch with the University and with one another.
On 28 May 2026, the University of Ghana will officially launch the University of Ghana Global Alumni Network (UGA Network) App, a digital platform designed to foster and strengthen lifelong connections between the University and its alumni worldwide.
The launch, scheduled to take place at the University of Ghana, marks a significant shift in alumni engagement and development, from fragmented, informal networks to a single, trusted, and official digital home for all Legonites.
For years, alumni engagement has largely depended on WhatsApp groups, social media pages, and independent alumni groups.
While these channels have kept conversations alive, they have also created fragmentation, making it difficult to maintain accurate records, share official updates, and mobilise alumni for mentorship, networking, and institutional development.
The UGA Network App was developed to address this gap.
It provides a secure platform where alumni can register, verify their alumni status, update their profiles, reconnect with classmates and year groups, and stay informed about university and alumni initiatives, all in one place.
At the heart of the UGA Network App is a simple idea: alumni should never feel like outsiders to the University they helped build.
Designed with alumni experiences in mind, the platform makes it easy to rediscover old bonds, build new professional relationships, participate in alumni events, and contribute meaningfully to the University’s advancement.
Whether a recent graduate navigating early career decisions or a seasoned professional seeking to give back, the app creates space for every alum to belong and participate.
The UGA Network App is the official alumni engagement platform of the University of Ghana, managed by the Institutional Advancement Directorate, in collaboration with the Information Technology Directorate.
Built on a verified and secure alumni database, the platform protects personal information while ensuring credibility and trust for users.
As the University prepares to unveil the UGA Network App, alumni are invited to register, reconnect, and belong.
The Bank of Ghana has directed Mobile Money Fintech Limited (MMFL) to suspend the implementation of its proposed 0.75 percent fee on direct wallet-to-bank transfers pending further consultations.
The proposed charge was scheduled to take effect on June 1, 2026.
In a press release issued by its Communications Department, the central bank said the decision to halt the implementation was to allow for further engagement on the matter.
According to the Bank of Ghana, the move forms part of efforts to ensure that any changes in charges within the mobile financial services sector are introduced fairly and in a way that protects consumers.
The Bank said it remains committed to safeguarding the financial wellbeing of users of mobile money and other digital financial services.
The proposed fee had generated public discussions ahead of its planned implementation date.
However, the Bank of Ghana did not indicate when a final decision on the proposed charge would be announced.
By: Jacob Aggrey
