800 families to benefit from GT Bank’s 2025 Autism workshop, consultations

By Kingsley Webora TANKEH

Over 800 parents, caregivers and teachers have gathered this week at the Kofi Ohene-Konadu Auditorium – University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) – to partake in GT Bank Ghana’s 2025 Autism Workshop and Consultations. Several others will be watching it live on YouTube.

The Guaranty Trust Bank (GT Bank) Ghana organises this programme annually to afford parents, caregivers and teachers an opportunity to learn about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in order to detect it at its early stages and better care for children living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Specialists from different parts of the world have also converged to share best practices for effective care and management of individuals, especially children, living with ASD.

This year’s workshop, themed ‘From Awareness to Action, Advancing Autism Solutions’, kicked off on Monday 21st July.  It will end on Thursday 24th July, 2025.

The programme features a workshop, presentations and panel discussions by specialists in health, education and behavioural analysis on the first day. These will tackle autism in general and sub-topics including speech and behaviour management.

From the 2nd to 4th day of the event, there will be free one-on-one consultation from 9am to 5pm daily at Kofi Ohene-Konadu Auditorium of UPSA. Parents are encouraged to bring their children for direct conversations with a diverse team of over 28 specialists across various disciplines. The programme provides personalised support for parents and caregivers.

Experts will focus on in-depth discussions and diagnoses – and where necessary refer for further medical evaluation.

Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by differences or difficulties in social communication and interaction, a preference for predictability and routine, sensory processing differences, focused interests and repetitive behaviours.

Children living with ASD usually require special care. Parents and caregivers attending the workshop will benefit from services of renowned global consultants and practitioners in child development.

This initiative forms part of GT Bank Ghana’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). It has been organised in Ghana four consecutive times, demonstrating tangible impact.

Driven by a dual commitment to health and education – core pillars of its CSR strategy – GT Bank Ghana identified autism as a critical area that needs urgent attention.

The Divisional Head for Corporate Communication and Customer Experience at GT Bank Ghana, Mrs. Agnes Owusu-Afram, explained that: “The rationale is clear. Autism touches both health and education, especially for children under 12. Supporting awareness and community support in this area allows us to address vital needs effectively”.

Mrs. Owusu-Afram highlighted the impact made so far. She said teachers have now developed better strategies for supporting neurodiverse students who may not conform to traditional classroom norms. Parents and caregivers have also reported a seismic shift in understanding.

“Unlike before, when you might spank a child or react harshly, people now ask What should I do? What shouldn’t I do? They understand the child’s likes and dislikes,” she added.

She further stated that families are now better equipped to identify their children’s strengths and weaknesses, enabling them to seek appropriate educational pathways for them. “It has enabled them to pick the right educational sector or service for their child,” Mrs. Owusu-Afram stated.

She indicated that for GT Bank Ghana, this initiative transcends philanthropy. “It is our obligation and duty,” she asserted. “We see autism support as a fundamental need in the communities we serve,” she said, hoping that this commitment translates into a significant, sustained investment.

Dr. Anastasia Yirenkyi, Director-Department of Traditional and Alternative Medicine at the Ministry of Health who represented the Minister of Health, endorsed the initiative and expressed the ministry’s commitment to the cause. She commended GT Bank Ghana’s “continued dedication to a cause that touches the hearts of many families”.

She noted that the initiative is timely and relevant, citing CDC data indicating that autism now affects 1 in 31 children; a significant increase from 1 in 150 two decades ago. She stressed that “early diagnosis is crucial”.

“Awareness and acceptance are the golden standards. This is where I applaud the board and management of GT Bank for their continued commitment.”

She highlighted government’s recognition of the critical need for awareness, early intervention and supportive services, pledging collaboration with GT Bank and other stakeholders to ensure “no child is left behind”.

Reflecting on the theme, Dr. Anastasia Yirenkyi noted: “Inclusion is not just a concept, it is a commitment to action. It means ensuring children with autism have access to quality education, healthcare and opportunities. Let us use this platform to take full steps in advocating for inclusive policies”.

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