More than 20 children with cerebral palsy in the Ashanti Region, together with their families, have called for support after being displaced from a facility they’ve always called home.
Due to the absence of a government-established care center, a non-governmental organization stepped in and transformed a privately-owned property into the region’s sole sanctuary for these special children.
However, after four years of operating the facility, the NGO is grappling with severe financial difficulties, making it impossible to maintain the center and leaving the children in a state of uncertainty.
Solomon Evans, a university graduate who, like many others, has relied on this facility for years, is now deeply concerned about where they will find shelter next.
“For now I’m very confused and don’t know where to go. I’m just waiting on my mother (Founder of the home) he said, his voice a mix of sadness and confusion. “The whole thing is like a dream I want to wake up from. I don’t understand why we have to leave,” he said.
Located in Kenyasi, the facility was assigned to Appiahene CP Respite and Home, the only privately-run center in the Ashanti Region offering specialized care for children with profound cerebral palsy needs.
Having committed all her resources to this cause, founder Martha Opoku Agyemang is now financially overwhelmed, unable to sustain the operations of the facility.
“Funding has been difficult. Caring for these children is very expensive. We are late on rent and now the owner needs his facility for something else,” she said.
She, along with the children, is confronted with the grim possibility of eviction after being unable to cover the cost of the facility.
The specialized home provided much-needed relief and reassurance to the parents and caregivers of these children.
“Kojo is an orphan that I took in as my own and it’s difficult caring for him. Bringing Kojo Mensah here has been of great help to me. I have been crying since I got here today. I don’t know what I’m going to do now. I will take him home and hope help comes,” Kojo Mensah’s mum said.
Esther Boatenmaa, mother said, “it’s not easy, I am really saddened. I have 4 other children and taking care of him at home was stressful, the stigmatization alone was too much,” she explained, wiping away tears. “When I got here, I saw the demolishing, aunty Martha asked me if I can take him home for the meantime.”
The speech therapist at the facility emphasizes that the circumstances could severely hinder the care and assistance given to the children with unique abilities.
“Their treatment should be consistent, there should be no break else we risk starting all over,” she bemoaned.
Supporting children with cerebral palsy requires expert knowledge and a great deal of perseverance.
Stephen Adu Gyamfi, the Social Welfare Director at Kwabre East stated, “we knew we had to move out but this has come as a shock to me. It’s unfortunate. For those who can go home to their parents, we’re making arrangements for them but others have no where to go, Kwabre East does not have a permanent residence for them. The challenge is lack of resources.”
