Neglect Of Special Schools Is An Affront To Holistic Social Protection

The recent news about the delay in release of grants and other support needed for the smooth running of the over 30 special schools in Ghana is very troubling and an affront to government's quest to promote social protection.

These schools are attended by students who are Ghanaians, and are entitled to enjoy all the fundamental human rights enshrined in the constitution. Thus, to watch with minimal concern on their plight does not augur well for social cohesion and integration of vulnerable groups into socio-economic development. We have allowed these difficulties of the schools to be a yearly syndrome and in no time our national conscience would be dead towards their needs.

ADP welcomed the news of the re-naming of MOWAC to Gender, Children and Social Protection and was quick to caution that this move should not result in a cosmetic approach to mainstreaming social protection into the development agenda. However, it is likely to be the case in no time. Key steps towards actualising the National Social Protection Strategy document such as the stakeholder consultation and adoption of a national social protection floor remains in the very distant future.

If a sense of urgency does not attend our national efforts towards placing social development side-by-side with economic development, a collateral damage awaits us all.

We call on government, through the Ministry for Gender, Children and Social Protection, to as a matter of priority ensure the release of grants and other resources for these special schools, which are already in arrears. They deserve a bite at the 'remaining bones' of the national meat.

(SIGNED)
Charles Othniel Abbey

Program Officer, ADP

0204-56 86 35 / 0243-12 72 73 / 0302 854 216
[email protected]