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‘Excessive exposure of children to screens can cause autism’
Dr Yvonne NanaAma Brew speaking to the media
Prolonged exposure of children below five years to television sets and tablets put them at high risk of developing autism.
“This is because excessive screen time affects the brain development of a child, a situation that could cause growth disorders including autism.”
This came to light at the 3rd Annual Autism Workshop and Consultations in Accra on Tuesday.
A Resource Person, Dr Yvonne Nana Ama Brew, a Neurodevelopment Pediatrician at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (GARH), explained that exposing the youngsters to those screens time could be very devastating.
According to her, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended that children below two years must have zero screen time while those above three years, should have only one hour of screen time daily.
She said autism has become prevalent in Ghana over the past five years with a lot of children reporting to health facilities with signs of the disorder.
“At the GARH, only 10 per cent of the children coming into the facility had communication challenges in 2016 but subsequently, it has increased with 30 per cent of the children screened having communication issues.”
She recommended early developmental screening to help correct the disorder.
“If we are able to pick up the children early, then we would be able to put up some interventions,” she stated.
She also advised parents to have personal interactions with children and not leave them with tablets and phones.
Parents, she said, have the responsibility to decide which school they take their children, however, it was important to know that pre-schools and day-care centers must encourage outdoor plays and toys not screens.
The five-day workshop brought together doctors and experts to interact and share ideas with parents and teachers on autism.
The Managing Director of GTBank, organisers of the workshop, Mr Thomas John, said the bank decided to host the third edition this year following the success and impact of previous editions.
In his keynote address, Ag Director, Technical Coordination, Ministry of Health, Dr Hafez Adam Taher commended GTBank for the initiative, adding that it was important for the private sector to collaborate with the government to raise awareness on autism.
He said the government was finalising guidelines on disability inclusion so that children with special needs would thrive and given the support to grow and contribute to national development
Michael D. Abayateye
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
