Exploring Inclusive Education Through Technology
The October edition of EdTech Mondays, which aired on Channel One TV and Citi 97.3 FM on October 28, 2025, delved into a crucial and often overlooked topic: the role of education technology in enabling inclusive learning for students with special needs. This discussion brought together a panel of experts who shared their insights on how technology can be leveraged to create more equitable educational opportunities.
Moderated by Bernard Avle, the conversation featured Mrs Gertrude Oforiwa Fefoame, Miss Alice Mamaga Akosa Amwako, and Mr Aaron Anthony Suka—each of whom is a prominent advocate for disability inclusion, special education, and social protection. Together, they explored what it takes to ensure that technology not only innovates but also becomes truly accessible and inclusive for every learner.
At the core of the discussion was a shared belief that technology has the potential to break down barriers, but only if it is designed with inclusion as its foundation. Mrs Fefoame emphasized this point, stating, “Technology serves as the foundation for many things, including education. For inclusive education, it is the basis for acquiring and imparting knowledge.” She highlighted that disability itself is not the limitation; rather, it is the attitudes, design gaps, and stigma that create the real barriers. “It is not disability that creates the barrier,” she said. “It is the behavior, the attitude, the stigma, and the discrimination.”
From a clinical and behavioral perspective, Miss Alice Mamaga Akosa Amwako discussed how technology can serve as a lifeline for children with autism and other special needs. “Technology has become a profound tool that helps children with autism improve communication, manage behavior, and interact meaningfully with others,” she noted. However, she also cautioned that accessibility goes beyond just free apps. “For families already burdened with financial challenges, accessibility means more than free apps; we must design low-tech innovations that everyone can afford,” she explained.
Mr Aaron Anthony Suka focused on the importance of policy enforcement and accountability in ensuring inclusive education. “We have good laws on inclusive education, but the challenge is implementation,” he said. “There must be monitoring, evaluation, and real enforcement to make them work.” He also pointed out the role of technology in empowering vulnerable communities to fully participate in education, employment, and society.
The episode shed light on both the progress and the existing gaps in Ghana’s journey toward inclusive education. While there are emerging innovations, such as assistive apps and adaptive classrooms, the experts agreed that true inclusion requires collaboration between government, innovators, educators, and families.
Ultimately, the October edition of EdTech Mondays delivered a powerful message: inclusion is not optional; it is essential. For EdTech to fulfill its promise, it must be built for all learners, regardless of ability, background, or circumstance.
EdTech Mondays continues to be a platform for exploring how technology can transform learning for everyone, everywhere. The next edition will bring more insights and discussions on this critical topic.
Key Takeaways from the Discussion
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Inclusion as a Core Principle: The panelists stressed that technology must be designed with inclusion at its heart. It is not enough for tools to be innovative; they must also be accessible to all learners, regardless of their abilities.
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Challenging Stigma and Attitudes: Mrs Fefoame highlighted that the real barriers to inclusion come from societal attitudes and stigma, not from disability itself. Changing these perceptions is key to creating an inclusive environment.
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Affordability and Innovation: Miss Alice Mamaga Akosa Amwako pointed out that while technology can be a valuable resource, it must also be affordable. Low-tech solutions are just as important as high-tech ones in making education accessible to all.
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Policy and Enforcement: Mr Aaron Anthony Suka emphasized the need for strong policies and their effective implementation. Without proper enforcement, even the best laws may fail to make a difference.
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Collaboration is Essential: True inclusion requires the combined efforts of multiple stakeholders, including governments, educators, families, and technology developers.
Upcoming Events and How to Watch
If you missed the live broadcast, you can catch the TV rerun this Monday at 7:00 pm on Channel One TV, or watch the replay on MEST Africa’s YouTube and Facebook page. Stay tuned for the next edition of EdTech Mondays as we continue to explore how technology can transform learning for everyone, everywhere.