The Government of Ghana has disbursed a total of GH¢8,989,866.00 as a feeding grant for Special Needs Schools nationwide, a move the Ghana Education Service (GES) describes as a reaffirmation of the state’s commitment to inclusive and equitable education.
The disbursement was officially announced in a press release signed by Mr. Daniel Fenyi, Head of the Public Relations Unit of GES. The payment is meant to cover the feeding costs of all learners in special needs institutions across the country.
According to the GES, the release of the funds highlights the government’s dedication to the wellbeing of learners with special needs and its determination to promote inclusivity across all levels of education.
“This disbursement demonstrates the Government’s continued commitment to inclusive education and the wellbeing of learners with special needs,” the statement said.
The GES also expressed appreciation for the patience, resilience, and dedication of school heads, staff, and learners in special education institutions. The statement further commended the government for prioritizing the needs of one of the most vulnerable segments of the student population.
Abuakwa South MP Praised for Complementary Efforts
This timely support from the government mirrors earlier individual interventions, such as the recent assistance by Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, Hon. Kingsley Agyemang, who extended substantial support to the Kibi School for the Deaf.
The MP provided essential educational and feeding supplies to the institution, underscoring his commitment to the welfare of children with special needs in his constituency.
The Kibi School for the Deaf in the Eastern Region faced an unimaginable reality—its students were on the brink of hunger due to delays in government feeding support.
But a swift and heartfelt intervention by the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, Dr. Kingsley Agyemang, changed the story.
Responding to an urgent appeal, Dr. Agyemang donated GHS 45,200 to cover food for the students until the end of the academic term in July.
The donation arrived just in time, after school authorities revealed that meals could no longer be guaranteed due to the lack of funds.
“It is heartbreaking to learn that the children might go hungry from today till the end of the term,” Dr. Agyemang said during a modest but emotional ceremony at the school. “This support is to ensure that does not happen.”
For many of the students, who already face numerous hurdles due to their hearing impairments, the looming food crisis threatened to further compound their educational and emotional well-being.
Education stakeholders have since hailed such joint efforts between the state and individual leaders as a powerful model for achieving real impact in special education.
GES Calls for Continued Collaboration
GES emphasized in its statement that it remains open to working with all stakeholders to ensure that quality and equitable education is accessible to every learner, regardless of their ability.
The release of the feeding grant comes as a significant relief for special schools, many of which have been grappling with resource constraints in recent months.
With both government institutions and parliamentarians like Hon. Agyemang stepping up support, the outlook for special education in Ghana appears to be gaining renewed attention and momentum.