In a landmark initiative that is driving disability rights and equity in Ghana’s education system, Bibiaa Bɛyɛ Fine (BBF) Foundation, in collaboration with Divine Mother and Child (DMaC) Foundation is spearheading a powerful movement for inclusive education.
At a collaborative forum held at the Nsukwao School for the Deaf last Friday, students, educators, and government officials and other stakeholders came together to confront the barriers faced by learners with disabilities
BBF and DMaC Foundation organized the event in partnership with Star Ghana Foundation under the Koforidua City Project (KOFKRO) being funded by Fondation Botnar, a Swiss-based philanthropic organization.
The event provided a platform for some 184 students with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities to voice their needs directly to decision-makers, including representatives of the Ghana Education Service, the Regional Education Directorate and the National Youth Authority.
Williams Asante, an official of BBF emphasized the Foundation’s mission to break down systemic barriers that prevent students with disabilities from advancing beyond the basic education level.
“Our goal is to ensure these students are not just heard, but actively supported,” he said, adding that BBF is working toward achieving at least 60% of its goals, with a focus on infrastructure improvement, vocational opportunities, and policy reform.
The students made compelling appeals for better dormitory conditions, vocational programs, and learning environments that prepare them for life beyond school. “When we finish school, we need to know how to continue our lives,” one student said passionately.
Different needs
Speaking during the forum, Madam Joyce Adu Agyemang, Headmistress of the Nsukwao School for the Deaf, explained how teaching is adapted to accommodate different needs.
“The deaf students are taught both academic subjects and vocational skills, while students with intellectual developmental disorders are primarily taught vocational skills with a bit of academic work. So, there’s a slight variation in the teaching approach, tailored to their unique strengths and learning styles.”
When asked about the progress of inclusive education over the years, she noted: “We’ve seen the introduction of sign language interpreters in senior high schools and the construction of disability-friendly structures. These are signs that inclusive education is gradually improving.”
Also addressing the gathering, Mr. Samuel Adzabeh, Special Education Coordinator for New Juaben South Municipality, made a direct appealed to the government for more learning materials and resources to improve the quality of education for these students, saying: “Their development depends on the tools we place in their hands.”
Discussions at the forum focused on sign language integration in teacher training colleges, specialized teacher development, and expanding access to post-basic education. These align with BBF Foundation’s community-based approach, which also includes media engagement, policy advocacy, and grassroots mobilization.
With a three-year record of empowering youth and marginalized communities, BBF Foundation continues to model what inclusive development should look like. Board members Fondation Botnar, who were present as part of their working visit to Ghana, praised the forum as a potential blueprint for nationwide adoption of inclusive policies.
BBF Foundation remains committed to advocating for long-term systemic change and ensuring that no student is left behind.
For individuals and organizations looking to support this life-changing mission, the BBF Foundation welcomes donations, collaboration, and volunteer efforts through their website bbf.org.gh and across all social media platforms.
By Justice Kodzo Wiado, Adolescent Journalist
