The Ministry of Health (MoH) has called for increased investment and policy reforms over the next five years to address stigma against persons living with autism and promote greater inclusion.

The Director of Technical Coordination at the MoH, Dr Hafez Adam Taher, said although government and other stakeholders had made progress, stigma and barriers affecting persons with autism remained a major concern.

He made the call at the opening of the fifth Annual Autism Workshop and Consultation organised by Guarantee Trust (GT) Bank at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), yesterday.

The event was held on the theme: “Acceptance in action: From family to classroom to workplace to public space.”

Dr Taher said limited access to specialised services, including speech and occupational therapy, as well as the concentration of developmental paediatric and child psychiatry expertise in urban areas, continued to affect the inclusion of persons living with autism.

He also expressed concern about the high unemployment rate among persons with autism, despite their abilities and potential.

“Equal opportunity and reasonable workplace accommodation are not luxuries. They are the bridge between potential and contribution,” he said.

Dr Taher stressed the importance of families and communities in reducing stigma, urging them to provide persons living with autism with the support, care and acceptance they needed.

“When parents receive early diagnosis, evidence-based counselling, practical training in behaviour support and hope, they become advocates for their children and their potential,” he said.

He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to improving access to quality healthcare services for persons with developmental and neurological conditions.

He said the ministry, in collaboration with partners, would strengthen early identification and diagnosis of autism among children and adolescents, expand specialist capacity and improve access to evidence-based interventions.

Dr Taher added that efforts would be made to improve coordination among stakeholders, promote policies and legislation that protect the rights and dignity of persons with autism, and ensure their participation in decisions affecting them.

He commended GT Bank for sustaining the annual workshop and encouraged other corporate organisations to support initiatives that promoted autism awareness and inclusion.

The Managing Director of GT Bank, Mr Thomas Attah John, described the workshop as part of the bank’s contribution to society, stressing that awareness was only the beginning of the change needed.

“My personal vision and that of the organisation is that this annual event will go beyond workshops to include the development of educational materials and tools that will support continuous public education and inclusion,” he said.

The workshop brought together autism advocates, parents, representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Paediatric Society of Ghana and other stakeholders.

It featured presentations by local and international experts on autism and discussions on improving support systems for persons living with the condition.