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Give legal backing to sign language – GNAD President
The Ghana National Association of the Deaf (GNAD) has called on the Government to give legal recognition of the Ghanaian Sign Language (GSL) as a native language of the Deaf and hard of hearing people in Ghana.
The association said communication with to the deaf community faced some challenges and believed that legal backing for GSL as done in countries like Uganda, South Africa, USA, and Denmark would help remove the barrier which impeded access to education, health, employment and other social economic activities of the deaf.
The President of GNAD Mr. Matthew Kubachua said this during the commemoration of the International Day of Sign Languages held in Accra last week.
The day which was marked in partnership with the National Association of Sign Language Interpreters- Ghana (NASLIG) was on the theme ‘Recognition of Ghanaian Sign-Language, we Sign for Human Rights’. It was to also raise awareness of the importance of sign languages and strengthen their statuses.
According to Mr. Kubachua, these barriers existed because of the lack of legal recognition of the Ghanaian Sign Language as the native language of the deaf in Ghana.
“Government’s effort at disability inclusion can only be achieved when the state recognises Ghanaian Sign Language as one of the native languages and prioritises the use of it in the provision of services,” he said.
He indicated that the legal recognition of Ghanaian Sign Language and the subsequent formulation of modalities in its use for the provision of services for the deaf and Hard of Hearing would improve the socio-economic conditions and quality of life of the deaf.
“On the occasion of International Day of Sign Languages, GNAD wishes to draw the attention of the government to the fact that the revised Persons with Disability Act, Act 715.
“The implementation of the Act holds key to disability inclusion in Ghana and any delay in its passage will deny persons with disabilities their right to enjoy the rights to divinity as citizens of Ghana,” Mr. Kabachua stressed.
He called on the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service to expand access to quality basic and secondary education to as many deaf children as possible through the expansion of existing schools for the deaf, allocation of one of the newly constructed Senior High Schools and the engagement of qualified sign language interpreters in some senior high schools to improve access to inclusive education.
A lecturer at the Department of Special Education, University of Education, Winneba, Dr Daniel Fobi also said that due to the lack of early ear screening of children, those born deaf were not detected early until they reached about four or five years.
This, he said, was detrimental to the growth of the child and affected their performance compared with their hearing counterparts.
Dr Fobi urged parents to ensure their children were screened early to give deaf children early access to the learning of the sign language.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
WOMEN in Sustainability Africa (WiSA) successfully held the African Women’s Health and Wealth Conference (AWoHW) with a call for research and investment into women’s healthcare.
It also called for robust financial systems and encouraged women to generate wealth as well as prioritise their health.
The conference held at the Shippers House in Accra on March 5, was on the theme: ‘Championing Inclusive healthcare and finance systems for African women and girls.’
Speaking on behalf of Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Sabia Kpekata, Programme Officer at the Ministry, said financial inclusion remains one of the most critical pathways to women’s empowerment and achieving sustainable development.
According to the minister, it is for this reason that the government continues to support initiatives that expand access to affordable credit, strengthen women-led enterprises and build financial literacy.
“Women must sit at the policy table where budgets are approved, health priorities are set, and economic policies are designed. This is why the ministry calls on all stakeholders to push for the effective implementation of the Affirmative Act,”
• Sabia Kpekata addressing the gathering
she stated.
Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, noted that many women suffer from mental health issues as a result of health financing, adding that, “this is why President Mahama has initiated the Accra Reset to tackle issues relating to women.”
On her part, the convener, Nana Yaa Serwaa Sarpong, explained that, “Today is not just a conference – It is a declaration. It is a declaration that African women and girls will no longer stand at the margins of systems that determine their health, their wealth, and their future.”
According to her, it is a declaration that sustainability is not a slogan for them, rather, it is a strategy, a commitment and a promise.
The Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod Jewellery, Getrude Emefa Donkor, said saving alone cannot make one financially sound, adding that investing and having other sources of income was the best way to go.
WiSA is a Coordinating Pan-African Organisation that works with other CSOs, NGOs, Corporate Institutions, local and international development organisations and individuals to bring all women, men, young people and women groups together to foster the achievement of the SDGs across Africa
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) Ghana Chapter has called for stronger action to protect the rights of women and girls and promote gender equality in the country.
The call was made in a statement issued in Accra to mark International Women’s Day 2026, celebrated globally under the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.”
Signed by its Chairperson, Dr Charity Binka, the statement said although progress had been made in advancing gender equality, many women and girls still faced barriers that limited their full participation in society.
It said the theme for this year’s celebration served as both a moment of reflection and a call to action for stakeholders to intensify efforts to protect the rights of women and girls.
The Network noted that Ghana had taken important steps toward gender equality, including the passage of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act aimed at increasing women’s representation and participation in decision-making.
However, the network stressed that legislation alone was not enough and called for effective implementation, public awareness and institutional accountability to ensure the law translated into real opportunities for women and girls.
It, therefore urged the full implementation of the Affirmative Action Act to increase women’s representation in governance, leadership and public life.
It called for stronger access to justice for women and girls, including protection against gender-based violence and discrimination.
The network further advocated greater investment in girls’ education, digital inclusion and economic empowerment programmes for women, particularly through support for women entrepreneurs and improved access to finance.
Meanwhile, the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Dwumfour, has paid tribute to women in the media for their dedication and professionalism.
In a message to commemorate the International Women’s Day, he commended women journalists and communication professionals for their courage in amplifying voices, telling important stories and shaping public discourse.
“To every women in journalism and the communication profession, thank you for the courage, professionalism and dedication you bring to informing our society,” he said.
Mr Dwumfour added that the contributions of women journalists continued to inspire the next generation and strengthen the media for women and girls in society, calling for sustained efforts to promote equality, respect and opportunities for women and girls in society.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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