The deaf like all persons with disabilities are part of our societies that need recognition and support to be able to continue playing their parts in national development. Today we have in Ghana and the world over, many persons with hearing difficulties providing valuable services as, administrators, educationists and artisans. As a result of the programs being organized for them by the Ghana National Association of the Deaf (GNAD) a whole lot of the deaf continue to acquire skill to work as craftsmen, teachers, traders and workers in government circles. In spite of the progress being made by them, the deaf still require more assistance to be self supporting. This has been recognized by various national and international organizations including the United Nations. According to the Executive Director of the GNAD Mr. James Sambian, the United Nations has set aside the last week in September to celebrate the deaf by highlighting issues affecting them. During the week the deaf do make demands on their needs using various methods including demonstrations using placards to amplify their issues.
The program is rotate annually from one region to the other. It was held last year in Accra followed by Tamale this year and it is likely it would be held in Wa next year. The problem with the annual program is that year is that although all the districts are required to send two are three persons to represent not all the districts are able to do so due to financial constraints. Mr. James Sambian therefore appealed to all well meaning Ghanaians including corporate bodies and philanthropists to come to their aid by sponsoring the trips of the delegates and paying for media coverage, public address system and canopy. Apart from philanthropists government could also assist the deaf by providing part of the 2 per cent of the common fund meant for the disabled for the purpose of helping them attend the annual meetings.
According to Mr. Sambian this year?s International Week for the Deaf (IWD) held on 22nd ? 26th September, 2014 in Tamale was dominated by health issues especially on the dreadful Ebola pandemic, HIV/AIDS and family planning. The deaf focused discussions primarily around the theme ?Sign Language ? a link to communication and inclusive society for all.?
With hundreds of participants from all walks of life attending the ?yearly cultural event?, IWD it was unique for various reasons: it was attended by a Deputy Director of Institutional Care-Ghana Health Service, the Administrator and the Medical Superintendent of Tamale Central Hospital as well as the Paramount Chief of Tamale. They all made commitments to help in championing the concerns of the deaf community. The celebration also benefited from the participation and support of representatives of Commission on Human Rights and Administrative justice (CHRAJ), the Department of Social Welfare, National Commission for Civic Education NCCE and Northern Regional Minister and Organizations of People with Disabilities OPWDs.
In the early hours of Tuesday, a cleanup exercise was carried out at the Tamale Central Hospital which was followed by health education on HIV/AIDS and family planning by the Medical Superintendent of Tamale Central Hospital at the Tamale Resources Centre. During interactions with the administrator of Tamale Central Hospital, he said they are in a process of recruiting a sign language interpreter in the hospital.
Very characteristic of such important events, there was a splendid route march in joyous celebration through the principal streets of Tamale to the Grand Durbar held at the Jubilee Park on Wednesday. Speaking on the theme for the program of IWD, the GNAD National President Emmanuel K. Sackey in his keynote address asked service providers to include sign language interpretation in their activities saying that ?nothing for us without sign language and sign language should be available to ensure total inclusion for all?.
There were presentations on plans made by the Institutions present to include concerns of the deaf community. The Paramount Chief encouraged all gathered to help promote an inclusive society in the country. The Master of Ceremony who is the Executive Director of GNAD James M Sambian was hopeful of a brighter future for the deaf in Ghana and requested that the issues of disability be treated faithfully to help reduce ?the communication barrier? between the deaf and the hearing.
To climax the weeklong activities, a Deputy Director of Institutional Care-Ghana Health Service, educated the gathering on the frightful Ebola virus. With avid PowerPoint presentation on the history, causes and prevention of the disease, the Deputy Director advised the participants to help educate others on Ebola and said ?Ghana Health Service will continue to collaborate with GNAD to make healthcare accessible to the Deaf Community?.
Later in the afternoon, GNAD members played a football match with a local team-Tamale Dortmund at the Tamale Sports Stadium as a way of re-affirming the bond between them and their hearing counterparts. The Tamale hearing team was a better side and the final scores was 6 goals to 3 against the deaf team.
Source: Alhaji alhasan abdulai
Executive Director
EANFOWORLD FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
P.O.BOX 17070AN 233244370345/23326370345/ 233208844791
[email protected] /[email protected]
