The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General William Agyapong, has officially launched the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) Special Needs Centre building project at Burma Hall, Burma Camp.
The event formed part of activities marking World Autism Awareness Month.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief of Staff at the General Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Joshua Lartei Mensah-Larkai, noted that the initiative goes beyond raising awareness. He said it also aims to promote meaningful conversations and strengthen support systems for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families.
He highlighted the challenges many families face in raising children with autism, particularly in accessing specialised services, appropriate learning environments, and social acceptance.
In response, he said the GAF has taken a bold step to establish the Special Needs Centre.
The facility, to be constructed by All Needs Development, will include 42 accessible classrooms, staff offices, recreational areas, an administration block and specialised therapeutic units. Services to be offered will include speech and language therapy, behavioural interventions, psychological assessments, and counselling.
As part of preparations, the Dzorwulu Special School was visited for assessment, while the design was benchmarked against the Spectrum Academy of Utah in the United States.
The academy is expected to provide technical support and assist in managing the centre upon completion.
The Guest of Honour, Mr Ato Brown, said the theme “Celebrate Differences” underscores the importance of embracing diversity in how people think, learn, communicate and interact.
He stressed that such differences should be seen as strengths that enrich society rather than weaknesses.
He described the project as a visionary step towards building an inclusive environment that promotes growth and opportunity.
The Director of Mental Health at GAF Health Services, Dr Erica Danfrekua Dickson, outlined the characteristics, strengths and abilities of individuals with Neurodiverse conditions.
She encouraged personnel to be supportive and work towards eliminating stigma, while stressing the need for continuous public education.
Special Guest Ms Serwah Quaynor called on organisations and security services to actively support the initiative and contribute to raising awareness.
She emphasised that collective effort was crucial to ensuring children with special needs receive the care, education, and opportunities they deserve.
To support the project, the military high command led a fundraising drive with a donation of GH₡500,000, with additional contributions from troops and partners.
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