Resources for Caregivers of Children with Special Needs in Ghana

It can be tough for parents of children with special needs in Ghana to find resources to meet the needs of their children. Below are several valuable resources in Ghana for parents raising children with special needs, offering guidance, support groups, educational tools, therapy services, and advocacy networks.

Advocacy & Awareness Platforms

• Special Mothers Project: Focused on empowering mothers of children with cerebral palsy and other special needs. Offers peer support, counseling, advocacy, and basic skills training for home-based physiotherapy. Accessible via social media and WhatsApp.(specialmothers.org)

  
  

• Campaign for Learning Disabilities (CLED)Provides advocacy, awareness campaigns, educational programs, and support for learning disabilities such as dyslexia, ADHD, and Irlen syndrome—for parents, caregivers, educators, and the public.(Ability Life Solutions)

  
  

• National Parents & Caregivers Association of Persons with Disabilities: Established in April 2025 under the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD), this association serves as a unified voice for parents and caregivers, advocating for policy and systemic support.(Ghana News Agency)

  
  

• Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD): A nationwide umbrella body representing persons with disabilities, including parents and caregivers, advocating for policy change and broader societal inclusion. (https://gfd.org.gh/)

  
  

• Reyo Foundation: Works to promote inclusive education, advocacy, and support for children with disabilities and their families across Ghana.(reyofoundation.org)

  
  

Educational & Supportive Programs

• Sparklers Foundation Ghana: Offers inclusive education for children with special needs—including autism—through an International School in Ghana. Provides family support, training, assessment, referral, autism consultations, and online resources.(sparklersfoundation.org)

  
  

• Inclusion Ghana – Parents Self-Help Group Resources:Offers downloadable manuals and guides such as:

  • Self Help Kit: How to form and sustain parent support groups

  • Guides like “Finding Our Way in the Community,” “Mentoring Guide,” and resources on autism inclusion, inclusive play, and setting up self-help groups.(inclusion-ghana.org)

    
    

• Special Attention Project (SAP Ghana):Supports children with specific learning difficulties (e.g., dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD) by offering:

  • Individualized learning interventions

  • Teacher training

  • Counseling and support for parents and homework helpers

  • Formation of parent self-help groups

  • Vacation classes in Kaneshie, Accra(sapghana.com, foundation.hundred.org)

    
    

• Tiina Jori Ko Ba (TJKB): Advocates for inclusive education and combats harmful traditional practices against children with disabilities. Operates the J.O.S. Children’s School in northern Ghana, where children with and without disabilities learn together.

  • Individualized Education Plans Training

  • Teacher training

  • Counseling and Training for caregivers of children with special needs

  • Online Newsletters and Resources (tiinajkb.org)

  
  

Therapy & School-Based Support

• Ability Life Solutions – Ghana Directory: Lists several key services:

  • Awaawaa 2: Center for children with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, hearing impairments; offers small classes and speech evaluation.

  • Best Hearing Clinic Ltd.: Treatment for pediatric hearing impairments.

  • Campaign for Learning Disabilities (CLED): Advocacy and assessment (mentioned above).

  • Dzorwulu Special School: Education for children with intellectual disabilities and speech therapy.

  • Garden City Special School (Kumasi): Education and skills training.

  • GBI Special School (Hohoe): Education, medical care, daycare for children with cerebral palsy.

  • International Shelter: Training workshops on autism and intellectual disabilities.(Ability Life Solutions)

    
    

• Center for Learning and Childhood Development (CLCD Ghana): Provides a referral directory of essential professionals: physiotherapists, speech & language therapists, occupational therapists, clinical psychologists, and nutritionists specializing in developmental disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome.(clcdghana.org)

  
  

• SENA Therapy: A therapy center offering speech, occupational, and behavioral therapy services for children with autism, speech delays, and other developmental needs in Ghana.(senatherapy.com)

  
  

• Multikids Therapy Services (Accra): Provides occupational therapy, speech therapy, and behavioral support.(https://multikidsghana.com/0

  
  

• Therapy Land (Accra): Offers physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy for children.

  
  

• Clinics of Hope (Accra & Kumasi): Affordable physiotherapy and medical care for children with disabilities.(https://clinicsofhope.org/ )

  
  

• Afrikids Sirigu Physical Therapy (Upper East Region): Community-based rehabilitation center providing physical therapy and mobility support for children with disabilities, especially in rural northern Ghana.(https://afrikids.org/about-us/our-people/)

  
  

• Autism Compassion Ghana: Provides awareness programs, parent and teacher training, therapy interventions, and community support to improve the lives of autistic children and their families.(autismcompassiongh.org)

  
  

Inclusive Education Advocacy

• Empower Challenged Children (ECC): An NGO empowering children with disabilities through physical therapy, education, assistive devices, transportation, and parental support—all aimed at helping children achieve their full potential.(ECC)

  
  

Summary Table

Resource	What It Offers
Special Mothers Project	Peer counseling, advocacy, physiotherapy guidance
CLED	Support for learning disabilities; support groups
Inclusion Ghana Manuals	Toolkits for parent groups and autism inclusion
SAP Ghana	Learning help, teacher training, parent counseling
Sparklers Foundation	Inclusive schooling and family services
ECC	Therapy, education, assistive support
Awaawaa2, CLCD, Special Schools	Direct services and professional referrals
SENA Therapy	Speech, occupational & behavioral therapy
Reyo Foundation	Advocacy & inclusive education support
Autism Compassion Ghana	Autism awareness, training & family support
Tiina Jori Ko Ba	Inclusive education & anti-discrimination advocacy

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