By Agbaxode Emmanuel
Mepe (VR), Dec. 23, GNA – The Department of Children, under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, has held a day’s sensitisation workshop for selected groups and individuals on the causes, effects, and treatment of visual impairment among children.
Held on the theme: “Caring for Children with Visual Impairment,” some key objectives, among others, were to sensitise community leaders and members, including parents and caregivers on the issue and further identify parents and caregivers of children with visual impairment as well as establish a parent support group for the affected children.
Mr Albert Henyo, the North Tongu District Director of the Department of Social Welfare, in a welcome address, said the project had been in the area for close to three years, where regular checks on children with visual impairment were given a priority.
He called for a concerted effort from all, including the various groups, to champion the welfare and treatment of children with visual impairment to enable them to live on their own and become resourceful persons in the future.
He called for a stop to acts of discrimination against visually impaired children, “but rather embrace them at every point in time.”
Madam Pearl Peters, Principal Programmes Officer in charge of early childhood, care and development from the Department of Children, Accra stated that children with visual impairment ought to receive the needed care and support from society.
She also called for early detection to enable early treatment of the disease.
Madam Jedidia Abanka, Programmes Coordinator from Visio International and Presbyterian Health Services, commended parents and caregivers for participating in the workshop.
She said the ultimate goal of the project is to promote inclusion regardless of the health status of the Ghanaian child.
Health officials from the Catholic Hospital, Battor were in attendance to screen and educate participants on the need to handle and report issues regarding low vision of children to the appropriate health experts for action.
Speakers at the event appealed to individuals to always show love and maximum care to visually impaired children in society.
The event, which was held on Thursday, December 22 at Mepe Presby Junior High School Park was in collaboration with the North Tongu District Assembly with support from Visio International and Presbyterian Health Services, a Non-Governmental Organisation.
Participants were drawn from the Mepe communities.
Reverend Mawuli Romeo Dorvi, father of two and a participant, disclosed to the Ghana News Agency, the exercise would help them keep their children safe from the canker.
GNA