By Vivian Amoah
Development worker and social entrepreneur Margaretha Ubels has officially launched her new children’s book, ”Suspects in the school, Secrets and Surprising Solutions”, at a colorful ceremony held at the British Council in Accra today, 21st August 2025.
The Dutch-born author, who has lived and worked in Ghana’s non-profit sector for nearly 30 years, said the book was inspired by her lifelong commitment to inclusive education and her passion for telling stories that reflect the experiences of children with different learning needs.
“I never really intended to become a writer. Most of my writing over the years was for proposals and fundraising, which can be quite stressful,” Ubels shared at the launch. “But with time, I began experimenting with short stories. The positive feedback I received encouraged me, and I wanted to bring in my experiences working with children with special needs.”
She explained that the book had taken more than two years to prepare for publication, with stories that had been evolving even earlier. According to her, the characters “began to develop themselves,” making the writing journey both challenging and rewarding.
Ubels expressed gratitude to the team behind the book, including illustrator Dr. Poku, whose artwork has already drawn positive feedback; designer Calvina, who adapted the layout to be accessible to readers with dyslexia and other reading challenges; and editor Madame Agata, along with the reviewers who provided early encouragement. She also thanked Afram Publications, which published the book, and team members like Harriet, who led the process to completion.
Speaking about the vision behind Suspect in the School, Ubels said she hopes the book will both entertain and educate, while also helping children appreciate diversity in abilities and learning styles.
The launch attracted a cross-section of educationists, NGO workers, students, and friends of the author, who applauded the work as a valuable contribution to inclusive education and children’s literature in Ghana.
