Alice Mamaga Akosua Amoako turns 33 on March 1. She shared a portion of her life that only family and a select group of close friends are aware of on Facebook to commemorate her birthday.
In 2022, Mamaga, a single mother, was appointed as the legal guardian of three sons who had lost their mother.
Although legal guardianship and adoption are not new in Ghana, the fact that two of the three are special needs children set her choice apart.
The youngest of the three siblings, who was only a year old at the time, has Down syndrome, and the oldest, who is eleven years old, is on the autistic spectrum.
She had two children with special needs and a pair of "artificial twins" since the middle kid, who was two at the time, was around the same age as her biological son.
Speaking to The Mirror last Wednesday at the Graphic Online Studios in Accra, she described how she decided to care for the children after their mother passed away and how she met their father and family.
As a program coordinator at the Hopesetters Autism Centre in Tema, she stated their father had visited.
The dad was searching for a location where his children would get proper care and be encouraged to reach their full potential since he was still dealing with the grief of losing his wife.
"I have over 11 years of experience working in the special needs field. I was fully aware that at some time in my life, I would need to provide a special needs kid with more assistance or a stronghold. Therefore, I had already mentally prepared myself for having to meet these kids," she said.
Mamaga, Alice
She created the first Autism Aid App in Ghana and West Africa in 2016.
She said that her bond with the kids developed over time as they had wonderful weekends together, watched out for their well-being, and eventually she was formally appointed as their guardian.
"As a young woman, I just questioned myself, 'What if I had also left behind three children, two of which had special needs?' when I first heard the children's tale. I'll be thinking what their lives would have been like. And I could sense that underlying feeling for someone who was already a parent," she said.
Getting rid of stereotypes
There are still a lot of misunderstandings and preconceptions about kids with special needs, and she said that remarks made in response to her choice were meant to discourage her from hanging out with the kids.
Associating with children who have special needs has a negative connotation. People warn me to be cautious because negative things will happen to me.
You could give birth to a kid with special needs. You've been linked to these kids and all that, so no guy would want to remarry you.
She said that since she had worked with special needs children for years and had become used to such remarks, these remarks did not deter her.
"It was a huge struggle back in 2014 when I had to launch the Autism Ambassadors of Ghana. Everyone believed that a young, talented lady from Ghana Telecom University would choose to pursue other interests than manage a humanitarian organisation that helps autistic children. I believe I was fully developed and mature enough to manage some of these things by 2022 when I met my sons, having previously coped with similar obstacles back in 2014," she said.
Overcoming obstacles
The first kid, Regalo, was illiterate and had communication difficulties, which are typical of autistic individuals, when Mamaga first saw her boys. He now reads, speaks well, and is gaining confidence thanks to her encouragement and referrals to qualified therapists.
He writes and reads. When he's not with you, he can WhatsApp you. The most astounding aspect of it is that he is now venturing into public speaking. Regalo read the introductory remarks at the Ghana Autism Conference last year, and we anticipate more from him.
At the Ghana Autism Conference last year, Alice Mamaga Mamagaga's first son, Regalo, had assistance reading the opening remarks.
She said that the youngest, Bendilo, who is now four years old, had trouble speaking. But he is also progressively developing his speech due of his close relationship with his siblings and relatives.
It's not always about bringing them to therapy. Self-healing, which takes place at home, is the most popular kind of treatment. We've all been optimistic about it, then. Bendilo also observes our conduct, the discussions we have, and everything else. I recall the first time he referred to me as "mama." He didn't need instruction on how to achieve it. His calling me "mama" came easy to him.
He can let you know when he needs anything. Even if you won't hear the whole phrases, you can be certain that he understands what he wants and can express it to you.
He's also developing progressively, and we're certain he'll do better," she said.
Alice Mamaga Mam (arrowed) with a few attendees at the Accra, Ghana, Autism Conference in April 2024
She said that while giving the kids love was the biggest investment they had made in them, they had also spent money on costly treatments that need a great deal of patience and dedication.
Changing the subject, Mamaga informed this reporter that she had overcome remarks that cast doubt on her choice, stating, "They will still come." However, I am certain that helping these guys will alter their perspective and dispel the misconceptions surrounding kids with special needs. They have their own blessings and are wonderful to be around.
Being there for these guys has been one of the finest choices I have ever made in my life, and I really believe that this. I didn't have to think it out, as I said. As a young woman, I had already convinced myself that this was what I wanted to accomplish.
Mamaga, Alice
Autism Ambassadors of Ghana was founded by social entrepreneur Alice Mamaga Akosua Amoako of Ghana.
I believe it is past time for Ghanaian culture to put inclusivity first. In other words, because they are similar to us, we should include special needs kids and people with disabilities as much as possible.
She conveyed her appreciation to their father, Mr. Nash Fiifi Eyison, for his assistance, provision of finances, and guarantee that their requirements were met.
Email address of the writer: efiaamoakoa2@gmail.com
.jpg)
