Department of Children sensitises parents, stakeholders on visual impairment in children
The Department of Children under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development with support from Visio International, held a comprehensive community sensitisation program in Adidome, Central Tongu District.
The initiative aimed to raise awareness among community leaders, parents, and caregivers on the causes, effects, and treatment of visual impairment among children.
The program, held under the theme “Caring for Children with Visual Impairment: Our Collective Responsibility,” brought together stakeholders to promote inclusive support systems for children with visual disabilities.
Mr. Augustus Larbi Ayeh Esq., Program Officer at the Department of Children, Head Office, described the initiative as a pivotal step toward equity in child development.
“Many children with visual impairment are left behind—not due to a lack of potential, but because our systems are not adequately prepared to support them,” he said.
“This initiative, Holistic Development of Children with Visual Impairment, is our response to that gap.”
Mr. Ayeh outlined the core objectives of the initiative, which include promoting inclusive education through Braille materials and teacher training, offering healthcare and early interventions, empowering families with support services, and advocating for national policies that safeguard the rights of children with visual impairments.
“This is not just a project—it’s a movement toward a Ghana where every child, regardless of sight, can learn, dream, and thrive,” he added.
Mr. Israel Akrobortu, Volta Regional Director of the Department of Children, highlighted the importance of attention and care for visually impaired children, stating that proper inclusion would promote their participation in education, religious, and social life.
He also noted that trained social workers are now available to support parents and ensure children are not isolated or discriminated against.
Mr. Akrobortu lauded the leadership of Visio International for their invaluable and continuous support, and pledged his office’s commitment to ensuring that the initiative extends beyond Central Tongu to benefit other children with visual impairments across districts in the region.
He emphasized that sustained collaboration and regional engagement are key to achieving inclusive development.
Mr. Dodzi Addison Mornyuie, the District Chief Executive, encouraged the community to eliminate stigma and discrimination, emphasizing that children with visual impairments are “purposeful dreamers” with the same potential as any other child.
He also referenced the constitutional and legal protections afforded to children and persons with disabilities under Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, The Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560), and the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715).
He stressed that parents of children with visual impairment should be supported through training and monitoring to enable them to raise their children confidently and inclusively.
Mr. Lucky Atokple, Head of Social Welfare and Community Development in Central Tongu, echoed the need for continuous awareness and advocacy.
He stressed the importance of breaking down societal misconceptions and fostering a culture of inclusion.
“Together, I believe we can create a district and a nation where no child is left behind,” Mr. Atokple said.
The sensitisation program marked a significant milestone in the commitment of the Department of Children to inclusive development and sets a model for other communities in supporting children with visual impairment through education, healthcare, and social inclusion.
The event included drama from visually impaired students, free eye screenings and the establishment of parent support groups across selected communities in the district.
About 500 students from nine schools across the district benefitted from the eye screening exercise, which served as an early intervention effort to identify and address visual health concerns among the school children.
Credit: Kekeli K. Blamey
