The Senior Correctional Centre (SCC) has initiated a lecture session to broaden the horizon of level 400 students at the Social Work Department of the University of Ghana (UG).

The initiative is under the auspices of the Counselling Unit and OIC of the Station, in consultation with the University.

The inaugural lecture delved into education of Social Work students about the role of Ghana Prisons Service and its core mandates, while emphasising the need for counseling as a psychological intervention for inmates mental health and well-being.

It also gave clearer insights about what was required of them in contributing their quota to creating awareness about the Service’s reformational agenda.

The session forms part of the ‘Think Prisons 360 degrees’ initiative, a collaborative efforts of the SCC Counseling Unit to conscientise the final year students of their roles as future social workers.

ASP Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah, a Public Relation Personnel highlighted on the core roles of the Service which include the welfare of inmates, safe custody of inmates, reformation and rehabilitation of inmates, respectively.

Discussing the ‘Think Prisons 360 degree’ agenda birthed by the Director General of the service, DGP Patience Baffoe-Bonnie Esq, Mr Ankrah enumerated the five core pillars of the initiative which include welfare of inmates and staff, agriculture mechanisation, industrialisation, wealth creation and strategic relations.

DSP Belinda Adjei-Attah, Head of SCC Counselling Unit schooled the final year students about the role of counseling as a pivotal reformational tool in the service with the tendency to enhance inmates’ psychological needs.

DSP Adjei-Attah further highlighted how Prison Officers and social workers could work together to reduce recidivism.

DSP Eugene Ansu Ohene-Tutu, a Counseling Personnel at SCC further elaborated on the role of social workers in aiding psychosocial interventions, expanding support systems and bringing in-house psychiatrists to help circumnavigate inmates’ mental health.

Dr Abena Oforiwa Ampomah, Lecturer at the Department commended the Senior Officers for their time with the final year students and commended the Officer-In-Charge of SCC, DDP Yayra Ashong Mettle, for releasing the officers to make such a memorable lecture.

By Spectator Reporter

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