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3 institutions collaborate to improve communication for individuals with non-standard
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Prof Wiafe (left) with other speakers at the event
The University of Ghana (UG), Google Research Africa, and University College of London (UCL)’s Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) have collaborated on an AI-based initiative to improve communication for individuals with non-standard speech patterns in Ghana.
Known as ‘tekyerema pa’ (Good Tongue) project, it aims to address the gap faced by many individuals with non-standard speech due to conditions like cerebral palsy, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) stroke, Down’s syndrome, or parkinson disease
ALS is a rare, fatal disease that causes the progressive loss of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement.
The project is supported by a $40,000 grant from Google with research expertise from UCL’s GDI Hub provided through the AT2030 programme.
At a media briefing in Accra on last Friday, Prof. Isaac Wiafe, Project Lead and an Associate Professor, University of Ghana, said the project was focused on improving AI-powered speech recognition technology for five major Ghanaian languages, marking a significant step in making communication more inclusive for all.
The five Ghanaian languages were Akan, Ewe, Ikposo, Dagaare and Dagbani.
He explained that current software programmes or hardware devices that converts spoken words into a readable text format known as Speech Recognition Technologies often struggle to accurately interpret.
Prof. Wiafe said “we are thrilled to lead this important initiative, which reflects our commitment to using technology to solve real-world challenges.
By developing localised AI solutions, we can ensure that more Ghanaians have the opportunity to communicate effectively, regardless of their speech patterns.”
A Senior Research Scientist, Google Research, Katrin Tomanek, said the project reflected Google’s ongoing commitment to supporting AI research in Africa and ensuring that technological advances benefit everyone, regardless of how they speak.
She said the project builds on continuous research in making Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) more accessible with the hope of using the insights from their work in project Euphonia to help local researchers create Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) models for local languages.
She said the collaboration will not only benefit individuals in Ghana but also provide valuable insights for global AI development adding, that it will lay the foundation for future language models and collection in Africa.
By Jemima Esinam Kua
Deputy National Women Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mimi Duah, has openly declared her support for Mavis Hawa Koomson as the next National Women’s Organiser of the party.
In a statement endorsing Hawa Koomson’s candidature, Ms Duah outlined four key reasons why she believes the former MP and Minister of State is best placed to lead the party’s women’s wing.
According to her, Hawa Koomson is a motherly figure who rose from the grassroots and is widely noted for her forgiving nature and ability to foster unity.
“She is a true grassroots mother who easily forgives, fosters unity, provides guidance and arbitrates to ensure all aggrieved party women are brought on board to ensure a unified women’s wing,” she stated.
Ms Duah also pointed to Hawa Koomson’s vast experience, having served as a Constituency Women’s Organiser, Member of Parliament and Minister of State, noting that the experience positions her to provide effective leadership as National Women’s Organiser.
She further described Hawa Koomson as capable of making the women’s wing resourceful, through her extensive network and business contacts, to lobby for logistics, training and financial support for women organisers at all levels.
Lastly, she said the NPP as an opposition party needs fearless, bold and assertive leadership at the women’s front to inspire regional, constituency and polling station women organisers as the party reorganises towards the 2028 elections.
“We need a Women’s Organiser who has been tested, who is bold, who understands grassroots women, and who can lead us to victory in 2028. Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson is that leader,” she stressed.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
News
Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Minister inaugurates Ghana-Korea Heritage Project Steering Committee
Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Minister, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has inaugurated the Ghana-Korea Heritage Project Steering Committee to provide strategic oversight for a five-year programme focused on preserving Ghana’s heritage sites and strengthening their resilience to climate change.
The project will support climate-risk mapping, digital surveying and 3D modelling, joint research, capacity building, community engagement and modern monitoring technologies.
Korea is also providing specialised equipment, including drones, 3D scanners, digital microscopes, thermal imaging cameras and GPS survey instruments, to enhance Ghana’s capacity to scientifically assess, document and conserve heritage structures.
The partnership, which will run through 2030 and beyond, is expected to deepen Ghana-Korea cultural ties while promoting sustainable, technology-driven and climate-adaptive heritage management for future generations.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
