Ghana Deaf News

05/01/2025

Para Sports: Ghana hosts Junior Wheelchair Tennis camp to celebrate disability Day

The Ghana Tennis Federation (GTF) organized a national wheelchair tennis camp at the Accra Sports Stadium Tennis Court in honour

05/01/2025

Foto4Change launches visual storytelling project at Wa School for the Deaf

Foto4Change, a Ghanaian non-profit focused on visual communication, has launched its visual storytelling project at the Wa School for the Deaf (WADEAF) in the Upper West Region.

This initiative aims to empower marginalised communities by teaching them to use cameras for storytelling.

Twenty students from WADEAF, with a mix of 60% females and 40% males, were selected for the training, which will last several weeks during the 2024/2025 academic year. The project, known as the Foto4Change Visual Storytelling for the Deaf (FVSD), began a year ago at the Savelugu School for the Deaf in the Northern Region.

The goal of the FVSD project is to provide marginalized individuals with the tools and training to become visual storytellers. By using cameras, the organization advocates for social justice, amplifies unheard voices, and fosters a deeper understanding of social issues in Ghana and Anglophone West Africa.

Geoffrey Buta, Team Lead of Foto4Change, emphasized the project’s commitment to inclusivity, creativity, and empowerment through photography and storytelling.

He highlighted the unique ability of visual storytelling to transcend spoken and written language, offering a universal way to connect, inspire, and advocate.

“Our project is not just about teaching photography skills or creating visual art. It is about empowerment, about equipping young deaf individuals with tools to share their experiences, challenges, and dreams,” Buta explained. “Through photography and multimedia, we are creating a platform for students to amplify their voices and advocate for their rights and potential.”

Buta also praised the dedication of the Foto4Change team, the support of their partners, and the warm reception from the deaf community. He expressed gratitude to the teachers and staff of WADEAF for their guidance and collaboration.

By the end of the 2024/2025 academic year, approximately 500 students from the Wa, Gbeogo, and Savelugu Schools for the Deaf will have received training in photography and visual storytelling. To support this effort, Foto4Change donated a Nikon D3100 digital camera with accessories to WADEAF.

Andreas Gbamekor, Headteacher of WADEAF, thanked Foto4Change and its partners for including his school in the FVSD project.

He promised to make good use of the equipment and hoped that Foto4Change’s vision would be realized.

Credit: CitiNews

05/01/2025

Beyond Sound: How Kofi Eponsu transforms metal and lives as a deaf artisan in Tarkwa

Correspondence from Thomas Tetteh, Western Region

05/01/2025

By Solomon Gumah   Savelugu (N/R), Dec 14, GNA – The Centre for Opportunities and Rural Development (CORD-Ghana), an NGO, has launched its Green School Initiative at the Savelugu…

05/01/2025

Telecel Ghana Foundation trains deaf students in robotics to mark International Day for PWDs

In a heartwarming initiative to mark this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Telecel Ghana Foundation has hosted a hands-on training session in robotics for deaf students at the Tetteh Ocloo State School for the Deaf in Adjei Kojo, Tema West municipality.

As part of the Foundation’s overarching Connected Learning programme, the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) training equipped over sixty students with the foundational knowledge and skills in robotics and exposed them to inclusive careers in the rapidly growing field of technology. The learners were drawn from the pre-junior high school to second year level for the STEM training and career development sessions.

The training, delivered by robotics firm Mingo Blox, provided the students with the opportunity to learn how to design and build Light-Emitting Diode (LED) signage and to programme robots, gaining experience with cutting-edge technology that is transforming industries around the world.

“Telecel Ghana Foundation is committed to creating learning opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their abilities,” said Rita Agyeiwaa Rockson, Head of Foundation, Sustainability and External Communications. “To mark this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we want to demonstrate to young Deaf students that the world of technology is open to everyone. We believe that equipping them with these skills provide them with valuable knowledge and open doors to careers that are inclusive and accessible.”

In addition to the robotics training, members of the Telecel Super Care support team, the customer service agents dedicated to addressing complaints of deaf customers on the network, interacted with the students in sign language, providing words of encouragement and sharing insights into the diverse career paths available to them.

“It’s all about showing these students that they belong in every workspace, including technology,” Kow Cornelius, Special Needs specialist at Telecel Ghana said. “Our goal today was to inspire them, make them aware of their potential, and let them know that there are careers that are inclusive, accessible, and ready to welcome them with open arms.”

The students, who participated with great enthusiasm, expressed their gratitude for the unique learning experience. Angel Boateng, a second-year junior high school student, said the exposure to robotics has sparked her interest in reading more about designing and building automation projects.

“It’s been an interesting and engaging learning experience for me. Previously I didn’t have any knowledge about robotics, but as I have learned the basics today, I hope to go deep into it to improve on my skills and possibly create a business in technology in future,” Angel said, as she signed her words with a teacher interpreting.

The headmaster of Tetteh Ocloo State School for the Deaf, Mr. Isaac Arthur, said that offering deaf students with practical insights into the world of robotics will help to break down barriers and build greater accessibility in technology, ensuring that individuals with disabilities have the same opportunities to succeed.

“We are in a digital age and understanding robotics will help the students improve their STEM knowledge and motivate them to pursue academic and career opportunities in the tech field. I will appeal to more organisations to follow the exemplary lead of Telecel Ghana Foundation.”

Telecel’s International Day for Persons with Disabilities initiative is one of the many ways the telco is striving to make a positive impact in the community and create a more inclusive future for all.

Credit: CitiNews

29/10/2024

Tragic! Akua Donkor reported dead

A piece of sad news that has landed on the internet confirms the death of Ghana Freedom Party Flagbearer; Madam Akua Donkor.

According to yet-to-be-confirmed reports that have taken over social media trends, Madam Akua Donkor passed away around 11 p.m. yesterday.

The cause of her passing is currently not known as an autopsy report is yet to be conducted on her.

Akua Donkor Biography

Akua Donkor was born in February 1952 in Afigya Kwabre District.

The late politician’s story is one of perseverance and ambition.

She was raised as a cocoa farmer with no formal education but she worked her way into public service and advocated for local communities as an assemblywoman in Heman.

Her experiences shaped a lifelong dedication to rural issues, setting the stage for her political aspirations.

In 2012, Donkor launched the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) with the groundbreaking goal of becoming Ghana’s first female president.

Though she was disqualified by the Electoral Commission in 2012 and 2016 for technicalities, she never wavered in her mission.

She was known for her direct approach and always encouraged her supporters to address her as “Her Excellency,” showing her unwavering belief in her political destiny.

Akua Donkor’s journey, from farming to founding a political party, shows her resilience in a male-dominated political arena, where she continued to champion the dreams of rural Ghanaians.

GHpage

12/10/2024

Juventus Duorinaah becomes Ghana’s first deaf lawyer

Juventus Duorinaah has made history as the first deaf lawyer in Ghana, marking a significant milestone for both the legal profession and the country’s disability community.

Born in Wa, in the Upper West Region, Duorinaah’s remarkable journey is a testament to his resilience and determination to overcome barriers to achieve his dreams.

He began his education at the Wa School for the Deaf, where he laid the foundation for his academic journey. In 2007, Duorinaah graduated from the Senior High Technical School for the Deaf (SHTSD), showing early on his commitment to excellence despite the challenges he faced.

Determined to continue his education, Duorinaah enrolled at the University of Ghana (UG), where he earned a first-class degree in Sociology and Political Science, demonstrating not only his intellectual ability but also his drive to break through societal limitations.

His academic success extended internationally when he pursued a Master of Laws (LLM) degree in Human Rights Law from the School of Law and Politics at Cardiff University in the UK.

Upon his return to Ghana, Duorinaah enrolled in the LLB programme at UG, graduating with second-class lower honours.

His legal education journey continued with his successful completion of the entrance exams for the Ghana School of Law, where he endured six years of rigorous training.

The Ghana School of Law provided significant financial support for a sign language interpreter throughout Juventus Duorinaah’s education, covering the costs entirely, and ensuring that his legal studies proceeded smoothly without any additional expenses on his part.

On completing his legal education, Duorinaah was officially called to the bar, marking the culmination of years of hard work, resilience, and a pioneering spirit.

His achievement represents a triumph not only for himself but also for Ghana’s disability community, showing that determination can break down even the toughest barriers.

Source: Citinews

26/09/2024

According to the 2021 Population and Housing Census, 470,737 people in Ghana, have some degree of hearing loss.

26/09/2024

After graduating from medical school in 2021, I spent six months at the Demonstration School for the Deaf in Mampong learning sign language.

26/09/2024

Half of children with hearing impairments in Ghana are not in school

Mr. Juventus Duorinaah, Executive Director of the Ghana National Association of the Deaf (GNAD), has disclosed that 30 to 50 percent of children with hearing impairments are out of school.

He pointed to cultural and societal barriers as major factors, noting that many parents neglect their responsibilities out of fear that their children would not succeed in the future.

“Sometimes, parents have deaf children, and they ask themselves, what life would this child have,” he said during the National Seminar on the Role of Stakeholders in Achieving the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)-Compliant Inclusive Education for Deaf Learners in Ghana.

“Some of the community schools still do not want to accept deaf children because they feel that because of their disability, they will not be able to benefit from their teachings and learning, “he added.

The seminar was on the theme: “The Role of Stakeholders in Achieving CRPD-Compliant Inclusive Education for Deaf Learners in Ghana.”

Mr. Duorinaah said that GNAD was working with various stakeholders to improve educational access for children with hearing impairments and to ensure that Schools for the Deaf produce qualified teachers.

He noted that there are currently 17 special schools nationwide, 14 of which are public and require significant support.

Mr. Duorinaah said that the association is working to raise awareness and change social attitudes toward deafness.

He urged the government to invest in inclusive education resources and called on stakeholders, training colleges, and universities to work collaboratively incorporate sign language into their curriculum.

In a speech delivered on his behalf, Dr. Eric Nkansah, the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, highlighted the Ministry of Education’s commitment to fostering inclusive education.

He emphasized that over the years, various laws, acts, and policies had been enacted to ensure that education was accessible to everyone.

Dr. Nkansah noted that one of the key policies was the Inclusive Education (IE) Policy, which aims to ensure education was accessible to all children, particularly those with special educational needs.

The policy was formulated in 2015 and launched in 2016 to foster an environment where every child is valued, respected, and afforded equal learning opportunities.

The policy builds on Ghana’s 1992 constitutional commitment to Free and Compulsory Universal Basic Education, aligning with international conventions and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Its aim is to foster an inclusive educational environment that ensures all children have access to quality education, regardless of their background.

Dr. Nkansah highlighted key findings from the 2021 Ghana Population and Housing Census, which revealed that around 1.8 per cent of the population aged five and up had varied degrees of functional challenges.

He indicated that one in five children between the ages of two and 17 faced such issues.

Furthermore, only about 1.6 per cent of Ghana’s children with disabilities attend schools from kindergarten to senior high school.

“In view of this, the IE Policy is highly needed since it makes it necessary for everyone regardless of your circumstance or situation, be it physical, intellectual, social, emotional, linguistic or socio-economic challenges to have access to quality equitable education,” he said.

Dr. Nkansah stated that after seven years of implementation, the Policy had been revised and the final draft is now pending Cabinet approval.

He explained that the revision was prompted by changes at both the national and international levels, especially the global adoption of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and the development of the National Education Strategic Plan 2018-2030, which aligns with the timeline for the SDGs.

Dr. Nkansah emphasised the significance of the Pre-Tertiary Education Act, 2020 (Act 1049), and the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), which led to the establishment of new agencies under the Ministry of Education.

He said those agencies are intended to collaborate effectively to ensure their defined roles and responsibilities align with the objectives of the Inclusive Education Policy.

Dr. Nkansah said that the new Inclusive Education Policy will be in effect for six years, with a review in 2030.

The timeline is consistent with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Ghana’s Education Strategic Plan for 2018-2030.

Madam Joyce Larnyoh, Country Director of the International Child Development Programme, said civil society groups would keep pushing for the inclusion of sign language interpreters and accessible educational resources.

She emphasized the need for communication support, such as video interpreting, to help teachers learn sign language to improve their teaching methods.

Madam Larnyoh also advocated for entrepreneurial support for students with hearing impairments, such as training and skill development, so that they can achieve financial independence after they complete their education.

Credit: GNA

21/08/2024

Caregivers trained in handling children with disabilities

About 40 parents and teachers of children with disabilities in Keta and Anloga in the Volta Region have undergone a day’s training on best practices in handling children with disabilities.

The workshop was organised by a non-governmental organisation, Butterfly Ghana Foundation, in collaboration with the Anlo Special School, Keta; with support from Johnny and Friends 4 Autism-UK, and Autism Awareness Care Training Centre - Accra.

The objective was to equip the participants on effective ways of handling children with disabilities, at various stages of their development.

The topics treated included learning disabilities, physical disabilities, attention deficit disorder, autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy.

Director of Autism Awareness Care and Training Centre- Accra, Elorm Kuenyehia Duah, in a presentation, said alcohol abuse during pregnancy could result in fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) which could lead to physical, behavioural and cognitive issues in the child.

She entreated parents to desist from acts of discrimination against children with disabilities and commit zeal and resources towards caring for them.

Current trends
A special needs educator, Sheila Lomokie Soli, urged parents to be abreast of current trends and learn to handle children with disabilities in the appropriate ways.

She explained that children with disabilities had their mode of comprehension, and they needed to be communicated to in special ways.

The Team Lead of Butterfly Ghana Foundation, Emma Elinam Sallah, said children with disabilities required the love and care of their parents, just like other children.

She said it was only proper for all and sundry to contribute to the needed enabling environment for children with disabilities to thrive.

The programme ended with a free health screening for the participants.

Graphic online

21/08/2024

Disability Justice Fund for Women in Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda

The ADD International is seeking applications for the Disability Justice Fund for Women is a fund for local organisations in Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda supporting the African Disability Protocol (ADP) and strengthening movements of women with disabilities.

This fund has been designed by a team of women disability activists from those countries.

The African Disability Protocol is the first human rights treaty addressing discrimination faced by people with disabilities in African countries. It goes beyond existing African human rights instruments by addressing issues such as harmful practices, beliefs, and superstitions that disproportionately impact persons with disabilities. By adopting a social and human rights approach, the ADP recognises the unique lived experiences of persons with disabilities in Africa.

The protocol needs to be ratified in order to be implemented. The idea is that grants from this fund can be used to advocate to governments for this to happen, and to support implementation after ratification.

Thematic Areas

Proposed initiatives must also focus on at least one of the priority thematic areas chosen by the women who designed this fund. These are:

Building organisational development and financial sustainability of organisations/movements.

Building understanding and doing advocacy on the African Disability Protocol and other supporting policies.Building skills on advocacy.

Supporting mobilisation of women and girls with disabilities for action.

Encouraging collaboration in movements of women and girls with disabilities, other persons with disabilities and Organisations of People with Disabilities, and with other movements.

Supporting accessibility and inclusion for the most marginalised groups in these approaches.

Information

Two types of grants are available:

Small grants of up to $10,000
Large grants of up to $20,000

Who can apply?

The fund is for organisations and groups led by women with disabilities in Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda to fund work which strengthens and supports the most marginalised women with disabilities in their countries.

These groups include: The most marginalised women with disabilities, women with disabilities in rural areas, girls and young women with disabilities aged between 12 – 35 years, less educated women with disabilities, disability organisations with members at the grass roots, older women with disabilities aged above 65 years. These target groups were identified by the women who designed the fund.

For more information, visit ADD International:

The Disability Justice Fund for Women is a fund for local organisations in Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda supporting the African Disability Protocol (ADP) and strengthening movements of women with…

21/08/2024

GIA supports Mampong-Akwapim Demonstration School for the Deaf

The Ghana Insurers Associ­ation (GIA) on Wednesday presented school furni­ture and food items estimated at GH¢95,000 to the Demonstration School for the Deaf at Mam­pong-Akwapim in the Eastern Region.

The items include 20 dual desks, cooking oil, milk, maize, and toiletries.

The donation formed part of the corporate social investment of the association and also part of activities to mark this year’s insur­ance industry awareness month.

Presenting the items to the school here at the weekend, a member of the Board of the GIA, Mr Henry Bukari, expressed optimism that the items would go a long way to help complement what the government already provided for the school.

Mr Bukari who is also the Managing Director of Phoenix In­surance explained that the “GIA found it joyous to show love and care to the poor and vulnerable in society.”

He said the GIA’s month-long programme insurance campaign was being held under the theme, ‘Making Insurance the Ghanaian Way of Life.’

Mr Bukari said the campaign was aimed at increasing the public’s understanding of insur­ance concepts, educating them on how insurance could mitigate the potential risks faced in their per­sonal and professional lives and encouraging the need for financial planning and inclusion.

Receiving the items on behalf of the school, the Assistant Headmas­ter, Mr Devine Edem Kodadze, expressed gratitude to GIA for the donation.

He stated: “In fact, your dona­tion today has come at the right time so I have a word for you. On behalf of the headmaster and the entire school, especially the students, I will say thank you very much for coming in to support the feeding of the students. Thank you and God bless you, Ghana Insurers Association and we assure you that the items you brought, we’ll really put to good use for the benefit of the students,” he added.

Mr Kodadze appealed to other organisations to emulate the exam­ple of GIA and come and support the school.

FROM KINGSLEY ASARE, MAMPONG-AKWAPIM

21/07/2024

SCANDAL: Ghana Paralympic Head Coach passes away, nine others on the run, one arrested in Norway

A group of Ghanaian Paralympic athletes are on the run after failing to show up to compete in the Fjordkraft Bergren Marathon in Oslo, Norway.

According to details provided in a letter from the Ministry of National Security addressed to the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, an 11 member contingent representing Ghana arrived in Oslo, Norway on April 25, 2024 to compete in the aforementioned Marathon but failed to report to the event.

In the wake of the team’s failure to report to the event, a search part apprehended a member of the team, Nana Antwi, a para athlete, in his attempt to move from Norway to Sweden via train.

However, another member of the team, head coach George Gyasi Gyamfi, was hospitalized at the Oslo University Hospital after collapsing on April 28, 2024 before passing away on May 17, 2024 in the wake of the team’s failure to compete at the aforementioned event.

Details on the whereabouts of the remaining nine members of the team weren’t provided in the letter but the letter stated that the European Border Control Coast Guard Agency and Norwegian Embassy in Accra, Ghana have been notified and are working to apprehend them.

Scroll down to read letter.

CITI Sports

21/07/2024

On May 23, 2024, a two-year European Union-funded project titled ldquo;Strengthening Civil Society Representation of Women with Disabilities in Ghana rdquo; was launched in Accra at the Best Western Premier Hotel .

21/07/2024

President Joe Biden drops out of 2024 presidential race

US President Joe Biden has announced that he will end his candidacy for re-election, saying "it is in the best interest of my party and the country".

It comes four months before Americans go to the polls, upending the race for the White House.

It follows weeks of intense pressure from fellow Democrats after a faltering debate performance against Republican Donald Trump at the end of June.

Following the announcement on Sunday evening, President Biden gave his endorsement in the presidential race to Vice President Kamala Harris.

In his endorsement, he said his “first decision as the party nominee in 2020” was to select Ms Harris, and said “it’s been the best decision I’ve made”.

In a letter posted to his social media account announcing his resignation, he said it had been the greatest honour of his life to serve as president.

And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling the duties as President for the remainder of my term," he wrote in his statement.

Calls for Biden to withdraw from the race began to grow after a disastrous debate performance in late June against Donald Trump.

During the debate he was criticised for often being incoherent and speaking in a weak voice - something which his party claimed as down to a cold.

Following it, there were growing calls from within his own party for him to stand aside, with a growing number of congressional Democrats worried his campaign would hurt their own re-election chances in November.

A handful of senators, who sit in the upper chamber of Congress, also called for him to withdraw.

While Kamala Harris has the backing of the current president, it is unclear at the moment if she will be selected unopposed as the new candidate.

Following his withdrawal on Sunday evening, the BBC’s US partner network CBS reported the Democratic National Committee was holding an emergency meeting.

The focus will now be on the Democratic National Convention which takes place next month in Chicago.

Biden swept the primaries, meaning that the delegates representing each state at the convention were pledged to vote for him - although they will now presumably be released to vote for another candidate.

'Heartfelt appreciation'
In his statement, President Biden thanked his Vice President Kamala Harris, saying she was an "extraordinary partner".

"And let me express my heartfelt appreciation for the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me," his statement added.

"I believe today and always have: that there is nothing America can’t do - when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America."

He wrote that he would address the nation on the matter next week.

Last week he returned to his home in Delaware after being diagnosed with Covid, but said on Friday he was looking forward to "getting back on the campaign trail next week".

He has previously said only the "Lord Almighty" could make him withdraw, but then later said he would consider withdrawing if he had a health condition.

Responding on his Truth Social platform, Republican nominee Donald Trump said that Joe Biden was "was not fit to run for president".

BBC News

18/07/2024

Oxfam Ghana educates girls with disability on menstrual health

Accra, June 6. GNA – Oxfam Ghana Thursday engaged young women, and girls at the Accra Rehabilitation Center on good menstrual hygiene practices for infection prevention during their periods.

The education, which was tailored at young girls who are blind, deaf and dumb and intellectually disabled, forms part of this year’s World Mental Health Day Celebration.

Oxfam also donated sanitary pads and kits worth thousands of cedis to the young girls at the Center.

Ms Thelma Akyere Hayford, Oxfam’s Gender Adviser, said the gesture was part of Oxfam’s Power to Choose Project, sponsored by Global Affairs Canada to educate young girls on reproductive health.

When it comes to conversations around Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights, we tend to leave out a marginal group of the population, thus Persons Living with Disabilities, we do not try our best to include their peculiar needs in these topics,” she said

The girls were educated on the best ways to use washrooms without contracting infections, and how to dispose of sanitary pads.

They were enlightened on the changes their bodies go through and advised to be mindful of sexual relations during their fertile windows.

Ms Hayford said Oxfam together with its implementing partners were working in communities to ensure that women and girls had access to sexual and reproductive service and could assert their sexual rights while disabusing the myths and misconceptions about sexual health.

Menstruation is a natural fact of life and a monthly occurrence for over 1.8 billion girls and women of reproductive age, yet millions of menstruators across the world are denied the right to manage their monthly menstrual cycle in a dignified, healthy way.

UNICEF’s 2019 systematic review of menstrual hygiene management requirements, its barriers, and strategies for persons with disabilities found that menstruation challenges were a source of shame for girls and women with disability.

Girls and women with disabilities face even greater challenges in managing their menstruation hygienically and with dignity, often facing a double stigma due to both social norms around gender and menstruation and having a disability.

Ms Nina Efedi Okorofo, a Social Development Officer at the Accra Rehabilitation Center, told the Ghana News Agency that girls with disability faced a lot of abuses when it came to exercising their sexual, reproductive health and rights.

“When we visit the pharmacy for contraceptives, we are heckled and verbally abused with comments like ‘do you also have feelings’, ‘who would want to have something to do with a woman suffering like you’,” she said.

GNA