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‘Support persons, families with autism’
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This year’s World Autism Day celebrations has been launched in Accra with a call for more support for persons and families of those with autism.
According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mulan Neurodiversity School (MNS), Mrs Brigitte Mills Simmonds, differences are not weaknesses, but are just part of what makes every one special as such must be supported, understood and celebrated.
The launch which was on the theme; “Embracing Differences, Empowering Every Ability,” sought to create more awareness on the condition towards seeking support for the affected persons and their families.
Autism awareness, she explained was not only about knowing that the condition exists but creating a society that accepts, supports and empowers neurodiverse individuals and the families.
“It’s about opening doors, changing mind sets and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive”, she added.
Mrs Simmonds suggested meaningful activities like the autism awareness walk, free neuro clinics and assessment and financial support for Neuro Parents in order to make their impact felt in the society.
The mission at MNS, the CEO said, goes beyond education, but here to provide support, hope and practical solutions for children navigating neurodiversity, adding, “We want every parent to know that they are seen, heard and not alone, let us embrace differences, empower every ability and build a more inclusive future together.
Mr Alex Amankwah of the Ghana Education Service said an inclusive action was needed to get all stakeholders on board to ensure that children with autism were not segregated.
He indicated that children with special needs have their unique talents which must be exploited for the benefit of society, hence the onus lies with the care givers to unearth those talents.
Mr Amankwah stated that about 50,000 teachers have been trained with specific skills to handle children with special needs for an inclusive action and urged parents to get involved in supporting their wards holistically instead of segregation them.
The Director of the School, Ms Diana Obeng, called for recognition of unique strengths and talents of individuals with autism.
By Lawrence Vomafa-Akpalu
A Prophet and General Overseer of Jesus Prayer Ministry at Ejisu Asuasi, Kumasi, and Pig Farm, Accra, Rt. Rev. Dr Mrs Grace Frimpong-Boateng, has urged Ghanaians to pray fervently to avert any disaster that would endanger many.
“God hears prayers, and intercessory prayers will provide your family safety and protection so you can live long and enjoy life in this world,” she added.
Rt. Rev. Dr Mrs Frimpong-Boateng was speaking with The Spectator in an interview last week.
According to her, she had a revelation that there would be a tragedy that will harm many people, however, effective prayers can avert it.
She said that the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) predicted another heavy downpour from Thursday to Sunday following the recent torrential rain that devastated Accra and other areas. However, strong intercessory prayers prevented the prediction, which would have been catastrophic.
She claims that whenever she shares something that God has revealed to her, she does not receive widespread support from people to join her in effective intercession.
As a result, she has urged everyone including members of parliament, cabinet ministers, traditional authorities, religious leaders, and other citizens to exercise caution and pray fervently in order to avoid premature death.
According to Rt. Rev. Dr Mrs Frimpong-Boateng the recent downpour in Accra which claimed lives and destroyed property was unusual.
“The sea was irritated because of certain rituals performed and caused it to spew forth, exposing the dirt.” There are still some rites in the sea, and they will definitely surface,” she disclosed.
“Let’s pray that God would burn and destroy the things that have contaminated the sea,” she indicated.
By Spectator
The Adentan Circuit Court has convicted a mason for stealing a four-year-old boy from Kpedze in the Volta Region and bringing him to Accra.
David Kpandoyo, 25, a Togolese national, pleaded guilty to a charge of child stealing.
The court, presided over by Mrs Angela Attachie, convicted him on his own plea and adjourned sentencing to July 14, 2026.
Kpandoyo told the court that he had gone to a drinking spot to consume alcohol when the child approached him.
He said he gave the boy some money, took him home, and could not remember what happened afterwards because he was intoxicated.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Patience Mario, assisted by Chief Inspector Jacob Nyarko, led the prosecution.
The prosecution said the complainant, Mr Bismark Gbago, is a 52-year-old painter residing at New Legon in Accra.
The victim’s mother, Ms Patience Ablordefey Afefa, is a 25-year-old hairdresser living at Kpedze in the Volta Region with the victim, a Kindergarten One pupil.
The prosecution said Kpandoyo also resided at New Legon, where he worked as a mason.
It said the victim went missing at Kpedze on July 1, 2026, at about 18:00 hours.
On July 3, at about 6:30pm, the complainant reported to the New Legon Police that he had found the four-year-old boy wandering around the area and that the child was unable to identify his home.
The prosecution said that on July 4, at about 4 p.m., the complainant informed the Police that after announcements were made within the community, Kpandoyo came forward claiming that the boy was his son.
The complainant and Kpandoyo subsequently went to the police Station to identify the child.
However, Kpandoyo was unable to produce the child’s birth certificate or lead the Police to the child’s mother.
Later that day, the police received a flyer bearing the name and telephone numbers of the victim’s mother, together with the child’s photograph, indicating that he had gone missing from Kpedze.
The police contacted the victim’s mother and asked her to report to the New Legon Police Station with the child’s birth certificate and weighing card because another person was claiming to be the child’s parent.
On July 6, the victim’s mother and her relatives reported to the Police Station and stated that they did not know Kpandoyo.
During investigations, Kpandoyo admitted in his cautioned statement that the victim was not his child.
He further confessed that while working at Kpedze, he stole the boy and brought him to Accra. –GNA
