The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the lives of persons living with autism through stronger early diagnosis, inclusive education, social protection and economic participation.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection at the opening of the fifth edition of the Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) Autism Programme in Accra, Principal of the School of Social Work, Madam Yvonne Norman, described autism inclusion as a national development issue rather than solely a health concern.

She said government is working to strengthen early identification of developmental conditions by building the capacity of frontline health workers, including community health nurses and midwives, while expanding referral systems and access to specialised services.

Norman also highlighted ongoing investments in inclusive education, assistive technologies and teacher support, as well as the increase in the allocation of the District Assemblies Common Fund for Persons with Disabilities from three to five per cent.

She called for stronger public-private collaboration to improve disability data collection, describing reliable data as essential for effective planning, resource allocation and evidence-based policymaking.

The remarks were delivered at the opening of GT Bank Ghana’s annual autism programme, held under the theme “Acceptance in Action: From Family to Classroom to Workplace to Public Spaces.” The five-day event offers free consultations, developmental assessments, lectures and caregiver training led by multidisciplinary specialists.

Also speaking at the event, professional Behavior Analyst and Entrepreneur Lanre Duyile, stressed that greater understanding of behaviour is critical to improving outcomes for people living with autism.

He noted that challenging behaviours often communicate unmet needs rather than deliberate misconduct and urged parents, teachers and employers to understand the reasons behind behaviours before deciding on interventions.

Dr. Bernadette Kilo, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Clinical Specialist, encouraged families to embrace children with autism through their actions, saying acceptance at home lays the foundation for inclusion in schools, workplaces and society.

The annual programme brings together parents, caregivers, health professionals, educators and policymakers to promote autism awareness, acceptance and practical support for families across Ghana.