“There’s a learning crisis globally- many are in school but few are learning” (World Bank)

As we read some weeks ago, one of the comorbidities of ASD is learning difficulties.

Under the auspices of Africa Dyslexia Organisation and Dyslexia Ghana, in partnership with Al Rayan International School (ARIS), the Dyslexia Education Stakeholders Forum took place at The African Regent Hotel on Monday 12th December, 2022. The theme for the forum was, “Using Social-Emotional Learning to Empower Students”. The forum was also to welcome one of their partners, NoticeAbility, to Ghana since they plan to work with the Ghana Education Service (GES) to provide support to children with dyslexia.

Africa Dyslexia Organisation (ADO) is a non-profit that focuses its efforts on providing support for dyslexics by raising awareness and offering educational tools, framework and support. ADO was founded by Ms. Rosalin Abigail Kyere-Nartey.

Dyslexia Ghana, founded by Mrs. Joy Thomas, is a non-profit that raises awareness on dyslexia through training, providing support for both children and adults with dyslexia and consults. They also give assessments for proper diagnosis.

In her opening remarks, Rosalin shared a bit of her story: she finally learned to read and write at age 17 and was diagnosed at age 30 while schooling in Switzerland.

After the Chairman’s welcome address, Mr. Ato Turkson, the MC for the day, set the ball rolling when he asked participants to share their views on what dyslexia is. One school of thought stated that, “dyslexia is a learning difficulty that has to do with reading and writing.”; another school of thought is that, “dyslexia became a problem when learning was limited to reading and writing only”.

The Deputy Minister of Education, Mr. John Ntim Fordjour, in his remarks said that, “we all have one form of disability or another, they just manifest differently.” He expressed his gratitude to the organisers and the participants present. He said that most dyslexics are very creative and are among the most successful people around the world. He also said that dyslexia is nicknamed the MIT Syndrome in Massachusetts because some of the innovative minds in engineering, the techs and the sciences are dyslexics. He therefore called on parents, teachers and other stakeholders to provide the needed support since dyslexics are blessed.

The Forum

There were two (2) segments within the forum; during the first segment some dyslexics shared their lived experiences and the second segment, discussed dyslexia education in Ghana.

The first segment, moderated by Mrs. Ethel Obeng-Treve, a Clinical Psychologist- Children and Adolescents Specialist and radio presenter at Starr FM; had some dyslexics share their life experiences- how they coped, when they found out and when they mustered the courage to talk about it.

Okyeame Kwame (OK),  an award winning rapper and musician, shared his experience of living with dyslexia. He said growing up, himself and his parents did not know what the problem was; he always did his best to study but the results did not match the efforts. He was depressed and frustrated, his parents thought he only wanted to play and his teachers called him lazy. He was diagnosed at the age of 23 while working a sales job in New York.  Although he failed his final exams woefully, he used his passion for rap to help him study and he excelled the second time when he took the exam. He asked that parents be patient and supportive of their children with learning difficulties.

Nana Ansah Kwao IV, the Chief of Akwamu Adumasa and a seasoned journalist, also shared that although he attended some of the best schools, could explain concepts and topics taught in class to his peers and colleagues, his exam scores and results did not show how well and fluent he was with the topics and concepts. He was diagnosed later as an adult. He found his passion was speaking and has done that for most of his career; he’s worked in sales and marketing and excelled and is enjoying what he does as a broadcaster. He encouraged teachers to be patient with students and parents.

Bodhi, said that he’s had a different experience; his parents are also dyslexic and so he’s received all the support, intervention and mediation from a very early age. His father, Dean Bragonier, the founder and Chief Executive Dyslexic of NoticeAbility, and his mom have always been very supportive. They built his confidence and self-esteem and have helped him ‘own’ his dyslexia, even though the school system tries to dampen his spirit. He concluded by saying to fellow teen-dyslexics, “find something you love to do and do it well”.

Akua is a mother whose son was diagnosed when he was between 2 and 3 years old; in the beginning, she asked the whys and blamed herself but she read more about it, sought for help and as a mother, she also found creative and fun ways to teach and support her son. She encouraged parents to build their children’s confidence and try everything and “always be your child’s champion”.

Early diagnosis means early intervention!

In our next post, we will share the second segment of the forum.