Editorial
Let’s make life meaningful for people with Autism
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It may be intolerable to deal with some conditions, but when those who are experiencing them receive the necessary assistance, life becomes more meaningful.
Autism is one such case, which has recently received some exposure. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), another name for autism, is a complicated developmental illness that impacts a person’s ability to interact, communicate, learn, and behave.
Instead of feeling normal, many people with autism frequently feel odd, as if they do not belong. They often experience emotions of loneliness as a result of social cues, sensory overload, or everyday tasks that others take for granted.
In the past, individuals with autism were frequently mistreated, marginalised, and exposed to damaging therapies. Some were often misdiagnosed, institutionalised, and cut off from society, and parent, especially mothers, were held accountable for their children’s illness.
Fortunately, parents are no longer held accountable because of increased awareness. Nevertheless, many people still have misconceptions about autism, so it is necessary to educate the public to accept it.
This year’s World Autism Day commemoration, which was held in Accra under the theme “Embracing Differences, Empowering Every Ability,” called for raising awareness for increased support for individuals with autism and their families.
It is true that children with autism may behave differently from other people, but the public can contribute to creating a more compassionate and understanding environment for them by promoting inclusion in educational institutions and community events, respecting their dignity, and acknowledging that autistic people have distinctive ways of interacting and communicating.
It is important to be understanding and patient with autistic children and their families, particularly when a youngster is feeling overwhelmed or going through a trying time.
To maximise the potential of autistic children for positive outcomes, schools must also establish an effective learning environment.
Children should be encouraged to play with or participate in activities with classmates who have autism without being forced to do so in order to promote social inclusion.
Practical assistance, such as company or errand running, should be provided to families with children with autism.
Let’s shift our perspectives so that every child with autism has the chance to lead a more satisfying life.
Dear Editor,
I want to use this platform to create awareness on the growing safety challenge at some of our beaches, particularly the lack of adequate safety measures to prevent accidents.
Beaches are important recreational spaces that also contribute significantly to Ghana’s tourism industry. However, many beaches lack trained lifeguards, emergency equipment and proper supervision.
During weekends, holidays and sometimes weekdays, families visit these beaches to have fun and some, for relaxing, yet the necessary safety measures are often inadequate.
The situation becomes even more worrying when children and inexperienced swimmers enter the water without proper guidance; it can quickly turn a day meant for enjoyment into a tragedy for families.
I urge beach operators and local authorities to strengthen safety measures at our beaches, make trained lifeguards available at busy beaches, warning signs clearly displayed and emergency responses system established.
Public education is equally important as well. Visitors must be encouraged to obey safety instructions, avoid dangerous places and remain vigilant especially when children are around.
Ghana has beautiful beaches with enormous potentials that attract both local and international tourists, but we cannot promote beach tourism effectively whiles neglecting the safety of the people who visit these places.
I hope the authorities will treat beach safety as a national priority before it cause any tragedy.
From Elvis Amoako
Teshie-Nungua.
Dear Editor,
In Ghana, it appears that the moment a prominent politician is arrested or convicted, we fail to ask of the person’s offence but rather think of the person’s political affiliation.
Taking the recent 20-year imprisonment handed to New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti regional chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi has once again exposed this troubling culture.
An Accra high court convicted him on illegal-mining related charges and sentenced him to 20 years in prison. The NPP has since announced its intention to appeal the conviction.
What concerns me is not whether one belongs to the NPP or the NDC, what concern me is our growing tendency to attach a political identity to every arrest, investigation or court judgment. If an NPP member is arrested, some immediately say the NDC government is targeting the opposition. If an NDC member faces legal trouble the same argument will easily be reversed when political circumstances change.
We must ask ourselves; Are we defending justice or are we simply depending on our political colours? Political affiliation should never determine whether we believe a person deserves investigation, prosecution or a fair trial. If someone is accused of wrongdoing the proper institution must investigate, the court must determine guilt and the accused must have the right to challenge the decision through legal process.
Ghana cannot build a strong democracy if every criminal investigation becomes a political battle. Let us learn to separate politics from justice, a wrongdoing does not become right because the accused belong to your party and an accusation does not become true simply because the person belong to the opposing party.
Our loyalty should first be Ghana, the rule of the law and justice not to political colors.
From Desmond Yaw Frimpong
Pentecost University
