By P. K. Yankey, GNA
Sekondi (W/R), June 17, GNA- The 2026 Special Olympics National Advancement Games for learners with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has commenced at the Saint John’s Senior High School in Sekondi.
The five-day event on the theme, “Celebrating the child with intellectual and developmental disabilities through sports”, is under the auspices of Special Olympics Ghana, in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES).
It is being funded by Special Olympics Ghana with support from UNICEF Ghana, ROBB Foundation a non-governmental, FET Mining and James Spare Parts.
The annual event is aimed at nurturing talents, strengthen social inclusion and breaking down barriers and stereotypes.
This is the third time the Western Region is hosting the event which brought together, children from special schools across the 16 Regions of Ghana in inclusive sports and athletic competition.
The best Region which emerges the winner in the competition, would represent Ghana in Santiago, Chile in the summer games in 2027.
Speaking at the opening ceremony at Saint John’s Senior High School, Sekondi, Mr Stephen Kwaku Owusu, Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Education said it was not just an event but a celebration of human potential, determination and courage.
He said every child or individual regardless of ability, develops the opportunity to learn to grow and go beyond participation to excel.
Mr Kwaku Owusu outlined the vital role sports played such as confidence, healthy lifestyle, develop work and leadership and foster friendship that transcends different regions and tribes.
Mr Michael Aryeh, a Board Member of the Special Olympics Ghana, said the event marked an important milestone in their collective efforts to promote inclusion, quality and opportunity for persons with intellectual disability through sports to demonstrate sportsmanship, friendship and excellence.
He said the Special Olympics Movement would continue to demonstrate every individual regardless of ability, health and build confidence and experience.
Madam Mino Wang, Executive Director of FET Mining, a Chinese Company, one of the supporters of the event, said China-Ghana ties would continue to be strengthened to build sustainable future.
She expressed her outfit’s readiness to care for the special athletes in the competition as part of their quota to nurture talents for the development of Ghana.
Madam Wang described the Special Olympics athletes as heroes and heroines in the society who needed the required support from stakeholders to develop their potential.
Headmistress of the Twin-City Special School at Sofokrom,Madam Crescentia Efua Bilson-Sai said the game was ample testimony that ” disability is not ability.”
She said the Western Region was ready to host and win the event adding that learners were endowed with potentials and opportunities created for inclusion in the development of the nation through sports.
Madam Mavis Opoku, Executive Director of ROBB Foundation identified the Special Olympic Sports as a celebration of courage, talent and inclusion.
She said all the athletes were champions and charged them to continue to believe in themselves and give of their best.
Madam Rhoda Entchill, Education Officer at UNICEF in Accra, described the event as a turning point in the lives of such children adding that the, “Organization will support any opportunity to special children to learn, play to be healthy and to belong”.
She noted that children with Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) often faced barrier that have nothing to do with their potentials.
Earlier, a contingent of school children from special schools from almost the 16 Regions, went on a float from the Twin-City Special School at Sofokrom throughout the principal streets of Sekondi to drum home the awareness that children with Intellectual disability, were capable to showcase their innate talents and capabilities.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga /Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: P. K. Yankey
Email: [email protected]