Ghana Deaf News

28/04/2026

Telecel Ghana trains hearing impaired entrepreneurs in digital finance

Telecel Ghana has extended its financial literacy and mobile commerce training to Deaf entrepreneurs, as the telecom operator strengthens efforts to ensure digital inclusion and economic participation for underserved communities across Ghana.

The workshop, held at the head office of the Ghana National Association of the Deaf (GNAD) in Accra, delivered entrepreneurship and personal finance training to 97 Deaf and hard-of-hearing traders and artisans, combining business education with merchant onboarding through its mobile financial platform, Telecel Cash.

Participants were taken through sustainable business management principles and financial tech education, after which they were registered for merchant services intended to help them accept digital payments and manage transactions more efficiently.

David Mborkor, the Greater Accra Regional President of GNAD, urged participants to seize the training opportunity to transform their businesses and economic prospects. He also commended Telecel for its commitment to enhancing its members' livelihoods.

“Telecel is determined to ensure that Deaf-owned businesses are not left behind in the digital transition,” said Mercy Dawn Akude, General Manager of Commercial Operations at Telecel Ghana. “We believe our tailored accessibility support for Deaf entrepreneurs will translate into their stronger participation in Ghana’s digital economy.”

The programme forms part of Telecel’s commitment to inclusion in its service delivery. Since the launch of Telecel SuperCare in 2016, Telecel has provided specialised support for the Deaf community through affordable data packages, accessible communication channels and products designed around accessibility needs.

Under the initiative, Deaf and hard-of-hearing customers can dial *494 # to connect with customer service agents, mostly Deaf and sign language professionals, through video and WhatsApp calls.

One of the participants of the training, Owusuaa, a trader in baby diapers and groceries, expressed her sincere appreciation to Telecel Ghana and the facilitators for guiding them through the five key principles for business growth.

She also commended Telecel for providing free merchant SIMs and setting up their business accounts, noting that accessing them on their own would have been a significant challenge, given the many constraints Deaf entrepreneurs already face.

The latest workshop builds on a series of inclusion-focused interventions by Telecel Ghana over the past years, including advocacy for wider sign language access in public institutions and digital skills training for Deaf students.

During the 2025 International Week of the Deaf in Saltpond, Central Region, Telecel called for sign language studies to be mainstreamed in schools and public service delivery, arguing that the exclusion of sign language continues to limit access to healthcare, education, and employment for Deaf people across Ghana.

Telecel Ghana also participated in a media advocacy forum last year that called for a national policy to institutionalise sign language interpretation in public information delivery and wider subtitling of television broadcasts.

Through the Telecel Foundation, Deaf students are trained in STEM every year on the International Day for Persons with Disabilities to explore basic artificial intelligence concepts. Telecel Ghana said such initiatives reflect a broader, intentional strategy to integrate accessibility into its business and digital transformation agenda.

According to Ghana’s 2021 Population and Housing Census, more than 211,000 people in the country are Deaf or hard of hearing, while over 470,000 live with varying degrees of hearing loss.

Joy News

28/04/2026

Church offers inclusivity and communion for Deaf community

The Church in Ghana has set up the St. Martin Deaf Ministry in Accra to offer inclusivity and communion and avoid isolation from the Church's liturgical life.

According to the Vatican’s Fides news agency, a simple pastoral initiative has grown into a meaningful mission of inclusion in Madina, a suburb in Accra, Ghana, for deaf and hard-of-hearing Catholics.

Led by Fr. René Yao of the Society of Africa (SMA), the St. Martin Deaf Ministry is helping to ensure that the Gospel reaches everyone, especially those who are overlooked in society.

He officially launched the Pastoral Care of the Deaf in Masina, Accra, in November 2020, which has become a vibrant ministry serving a growing group of the deaf and hard-of-hearing faithful.

“At first, I did not have an office. I sat under a tree near the Church. Later, parishioners pointed out that I could not work under a tree and helped me set up a small office,” recalls Fr. Yao.

In a statement to Fides, Fr. Yao explains that small donations and the generosity of the parishioners help him to sustain the activities of the St. Martin Deaf Ministry that he founded.

Inclusion lies at the heart of the pastoral effort, which combines spiritual accompaniment with social engagement and educational initiative.

Inclusive parish community
The ministry of Fr. Yao integrates the deaf parishioners fully into the life of the Church in all activities. Sign language courses are also offered to parish members to promote communication and ensure the long-term sustainability of the ministry.

These efforts help to create an environment where the deaf and hearing parishioners can interact freely, building a community grounded in mutual understanding and respect.

His pastoral vision emphasizes unity rather than separation.

“I do not want to separate Masses for the deaf,” he explains. “They already experience enough exclusion. If we celebrate a Mass just for them, we separate them even further from the hearing community. We must pray together as one body of Christ.”

Through this commitment, the St. Martin Deaf ministry continues to witness to a Church where everyone, regardless of ability, has a place at the table of the Lord.

The Vatican News

28/04/2026

President John Mahama cut sod for the construction of a new Concourse connecting Terminals 2 and 3. The airport is now a beehive of construction aimed at modernisation and expansion to improve the travel experience.

The New Concourse will have

5 new Passenger Boarding Bridges

5 passenger holding areas

Bi-directional Travelators

5 new escalators and elevators

1 VIP Lounge

4 Business Lounges

4 New Retail/Duty Free Pods among others.

The FINAL design of the Concourse is shown below.

08/04/2026

💔 In Memory of Nana – A Call for Compassion and Action 💔

It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of our dear friend, Nana, this morning. Nana, originally from Ghana, had been living in Sierra Leone for many years and has been a true blessing to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. He was one of the kindest, most genuine people I have ever met, and I am profoundly grateful for his friendship, guidance, and unwavering support.

Since his relocation from Ghana, Nana became an integral part of our community. He was always ready to lend a helping hand, share a smile, or offer support when it was needed most. His generosity and warmth touched the lives of many, and his absence is deeply felt.

Tragically, in the wake of his passing, we have encountered immense challenges in reaching out to his family in Ghana. Some members of the deaf community went to the Ghana Embassy in Sierra Leone to seek assistance in locating Nana’s family, but the embassy declined to help. The reason given was that Nana held a Sierra Leonean passport, and they stated that it was Sierra Leone’s responsibility to arrange the funeral. Despite their best intentions, members of the local community are unable to manage this without Nana’s family in Ghana. Furthermore, the embassy took possession of Nana’s old Ghanaian passport, stating it was Ghana’s property.

This treatment of a Ghanaian citizen who devoted his life to the community is deeply troubling. Nana’s nationality and connection to Ghana are a fundamental part of his identity. While he also held a Sierra Leonean passport, this does not erase his Ghanaian roots or the need for his family to be informed and involved.

We respectfully call on the Ghana Embassy to take accountability and assist in locating Nana’s family in Ghana. Compassion and humanity must guide these actions, especially in such a sensitive and urgent time. It is not only a matter of bureaucracy; it is about honoring the dignity of a life lived with integrity and kindness.

Nana, you will always be remembered for your warmth, your generosity, and your unwavering spirit. Rest in peace, dear friend. Your legacy lives on in all of us who had the honor of knowing you.

By Deaf community, Serra Leone

23/12/2025

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2026!

15/10/2025

the 9 African representatives at the world cup

Ghana 🇬🇭
Ivory coast 🇮🇪
Senegal 🇸🇳
Egypt 🇪🇬
Tunisia 🇹🇷
South Africa 🇿🇦
Cape Verde 🇨🇻
Algeria 🇩🇿
Morocco 🇲🇦

14/10/2025

Cargill Ghana renovates girls’ dormitory at State School for the Deaf

Cargill Ghana has renovated the girls’ dormitory at the State School for the Deaf in Adjei Kodjo, delivering a safer and more comfortable space for students.

The refurbished facility is set to be officially handed over on Wednesday, September 24.

The project forms part of the company’s broader community development agenda, with a focus on inclusive education and improved infrastructure.

The upgraded dormitory is expected to enhance both the wellbeing and academic performance of the students.

“At Cargill, we believe every child deserves a supportive environment to learn and thrive,” said Max Essoh Latte, Managing Director of Cargill Ghana.

“Through this project, we are not only providing a safe home for the students but also reaffirming our long-term commitment to empowering communities through education.”

School authorities and local leaders have commended the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that demonstrates Cargill’s sustained investment in Ghana’s educational sector.

About Cargill Ghana

Cargill has been sourcing cocoa from Ghana for over 40 years and, in 2008, established its state-of-the-art cocoa processing facility in Tema.

Today, the company employs about 550 permanent and temporary staff who process cocoa products for food and confectionery customers in Ghana and across the globe.

In 2016, Cargill expanded its operations with the addition of a Licensed Buying Company (LBC), which provides employment for a further 320 permanent and temporary staff.

The LBC introduces innovative trading practices with farmers, placing strong emphasis on sustainability and traceability.

Working in partnership with farmers and communities, Cargill drives initiatives to promote sustainability, improve livelihoods, and support long-term development.

Through strategic investments in education, health, and infrastructure, the company continues to create lasting impact in cocoa-growing regions of Ghana.

Source: Fiifi Adinkra, Joy online

14/10/2025

Ecobank Ghana refurbishes ICT Lab for Tetteh Ocloo State School for the Deaf

Ecobank Ghana, as part of its Corporate Social Investment (CSI), has refurbished the Information Communication Technology laboratories of the Tetteh Ocloo State School for the Deaf in Adjei Kojo in the Tema West Municipality and the Bishop Sam Memorial Basic School in Takoradi, converting them into Digital Learning Centres (DLCs).

The two projects, estimated at GHç2.2 million, fall under the Ecobank Group's three-year campaign, "Transforming Africa through Education."

These latest additions bring to six the number of ICT laboratories Ecobank Ghana has transformed into DLCs for selected educational institutions since 2023.

The other beneficiaries are the Potters Village Orphanage in Dodowa, South Labone Girls Technical Institute in Accra, 4 Garrison School in Kumasi, and the Methodist School for the Blind in Wa.

As part of the programme, Ecobank Ghana's brand ambassador, King Promise, interacted with the children of the Tetteh Ocloo State School for the Deaf, entertained them, and donated food items and toiletries to the school.

Speaking at the programme-which also marked Ecobank Day 2025 on the theme "Enabling Inclusive Learning for All"-the Managing Director of Ecobank Ghana, Mrs Abena Osei-Poku, said the bank had, over the past three years, taken meaningful steps to support children's education by refurbishing and equipping ICT laboratories in deprived schools and turning them into DLCS.

"Thanks to new technology, especially assistive tools and artificial intelligence, we now have more ways to break down long-standing barriers. These innovations are helping us build more inclusive, supportive, and empowering learning environments," she stated.

Mrs Osei-Poku noted that a child with visual impairment could now access lessons using text-to-speech software, while a student who struggles with writing could use speech recognition tools to express ideas. Artificial intelligence-powered tools, she added, could even help teachers plan lessons better and better understand the needs of each learner.

The Managing Director explained that, in addition to refurbishing the ICT laboratories, the bank had provided a projector, inverter, and free internet connectivity to the beneficiary schools for three years.

"To complement this, our partners from Ghana Code Club have graciously agreed to facilitate train-the-trainer workshops for both tutors and students for an initial period of six months, focusing on web development, animation, robotics, and artificial intelligence," Mrs Osei- Poku stated.

The Director of the Special Education Division of the Ghana Education Service (GES), in remarks delivered on her behalf by the Unit Head for Education for the Impaired, Gloria Ntim, paid glowing tribute to Ecobank for the support.

She appealed to other corporate organisations to emulate Ecobank Ghana's gesture and come to the aid of the school.

The Tema West Director of GES, Mr Isaac MacCarthy- Mensah, also lauded Ecobank Ghana for refurbishing and transforming the ICT laboratory of the Tetteh Ocloo State School for the Deaf into a DLC. He urged the school's management to take good care of the computers to ensure their long lifespan and use them for their intended purposes.

The Headmaster of the Tetteh Ocloo State School for the Deaf, Mr Isaac Arthur, expressed gratitude to Ecobank Ghana for the gesture and the transformation of the ICT laboratory into a DLC. He said technology was serving as a bridge, breaking barriers to communication, learning, and participation for deaf learners.

Mr Arthur added that, through the new facility, the students would now have access to modern tools that make learning more engaging and interactive.

BY KINGSLEY ASARE, Ghanaian Times

14/10/2025

14/10/2025

Juventus Duorinaah is the first deaf lawyer and attorney in Ghana.

24/09/2025

New Juaben DFC crowned 2025 deaf football gala champions

New Juaben Deaf Football Club emerged champions of the 2025 Deaf Football Gala, dramatically defeating Shining DFC 3-2 on penalties after a tense goalless final at the iconic Elwak Sports Stadium. Organised to develop deaf football in Ghana, the event was a pulsating celebration of talent, determination and community.

A thrilling final and key matches

While sixteen clubs initially registered to participate in the tournament, only eight took to the field, setting the stage for a tense play-off format that began with the quarter-finals. New Juaben DFC paved their way to glory with a nerve-wracking 6-5 penalty shootout win over Heart of Wolves DFC after a tense draw that left fans on edge.

Shining DFC, unwilling to give up, secured a 4-2 penalty shootout win over Ambassadors DFC after another tense draw. The semi-finals were no less dramatic, with New Juaben DFC defeating Sunyani United DFC 5-3 on penalties, while Shining DFC secured a place in the final by defeating Warriors DFC 4-3 on penalties. Each match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with the stadium ringing with the roar of passionate fans.

Tournament Results and Third Place

In the bronze medal match, Sunyani United DFC came in third place, beating Warriors DFC 4-3 on penalties after another goalless draw, which was an unusually low margin in the competition. The gala was not just about trophies; it was a shining stage for Ghana’s best deaf football talent, as well as an important scouting ground for the national team. The performances were nothing short of inspiring, lighting up the pitch with pure skill and soul.

The wider impact of the event

Organisers stressed that the gala was more than a tournament – it was a step towards the creation of a national team, the “Black Wonders”, ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Cameroon. With the global stage in mind, the event aimed to unite the deaf football community and uncover hidden gems ready to represent Ghana. The hard-won victory by the new Juaben Football Club could well be the spark that ignites greater participation and passion for deaf football across the country.