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Clement Sam — abandons Biochemistry dream for Sign Language Interpretation
Born at Korle-Gonno in Accra, Clement Sam, always loved to do things differently and that posture has motivated and propelled him to excel in his endeavours.
The man who hails from Winneba in the Central Region, had wanted to become a Biochemist but that ambition did not manifest as life certainly had other challenging roles in store for him.
His curiosity and the passion to support the less privileged made him take up Sign Language Interpretation — a rather demanding but rewarding venture.
Mr Sam, interacting with The Spectator recently on the intricacies of the role, explained that he decided to become a ‘mediator’ between the deaf community and the public because he wanted to know whether there was a “sign representation to every word we spoke.”
Other than becoming a doctor, an accountant or nurse, he was bent on “doing something different from what was considered a “normal” profession.
“It was easier at the beginning because I was on an adventure and with a heightened curiosity, I wanted to learn more,” he noted.
As expected of a novice in any profession, Mr Sam would make mistakes while interpreting signs and symbols. But he soon realised that there must be no room for mistakes if he, indeed, wanted to excel in his chosen career.
Though it was quite fulfilling for him, he still had to make a conscious effort to improve on any assignment he undertook by listening to feedback or criticism from his peers.
The profession came with its own challenges but Sam believes the favour of God and humility had helped him overcome many hurdles.
“First, I needed to prove all those who doubted me wrong and prove myself right that I have chosen the right career path and will succeed,” he said.
Recounting his first Television encounter on a programme dubbed “This Week” in Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) studio, Mr Sam said he executed that assignment to the best of his ability as he had already had a similar experience.
“The person interpreting the programme had travelled. I saw an opportunity, went to GBC presented myself as an interpreter and got the job after weeks of trial on set,” he recalled.
That task, he admitted, had since come with other rewarding opportunities within and outside the shores of the country.
Mr Sam had played other crucial roles during the “Meet-The-Press” sessions organised by the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Information to disseminate and educate the public on COVID-19 and other matters of national interest.
Apart from the long hours he endured while interpreting speeches at this forum, he noted that the engagement also had some setbacks.
“Because I am always seen standing next to officials who handle some of the cases, some people tend to suggest that I might have contracted the disease but all my test results have always proved negative,” he noted.
The full time Sign Language Interpreter has over the years maintained a strong relationship with the Deaf Community through the Ghana National Association of the Deaf (GNAD)
He is a member of the committee set up by GNAD to advocate the recognition of Ghanaian Sign language in the country.
The expert, who aspires to become a Certified International Sign Language Interpreter, emphasised the need to give Ghanaian Sign language utmost recognition.
He urged aspiring interpreters to be humble and “accept constructive criticism from the Deaf community and their colleague interpreters ” and that they should never accept an assignment “for which they do not have the requisite interpretation skills.”
“If they follow these pieces of advice, they will accomplish a lot more than what I have achieved so far,” he stressed.
Mr Sam attended Hampstead Academy Primary and Junior High Schools at Korle-gonno and Winneba Secondary School where he studied General Science before proceeding to University Of Cape Coast.
His parents were the late Mr. Peter Sam of the University of Ghana Medical School and Madam Doris Abore.
In addition to watching and talking football, he enjoys reading research articles on sign language and sign language interpretation. Jollof rice and gizzard are his favourite.
Mr Sam, President of the National Association of Sign Language Interpreters Ghana, was recognised for “Excellence in Sign Language Interpretation” at the recently held Radio and Television Personality (RTP) Awards.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Dzidula Pink Foundation, a new organisation dedicated to cancer awareness, early detection, and patient support, has been officially launched in Accra, with a passionate call for national commitment to fighting the disease. The launch event, held last week Friday, carried the theme: “Beyond the diagnosis: A future of restoration, care and courage.”
Speaking at the event, Madam Abena Brigidi, founder and CEO of Nimed Capital Limited, emphasised that cancer remains one of the most devastating health challenges facing families across the country. “Cancer does not discriminate—it affects mothers, fathers, daughters, and sons. It drains families emotionally and financially, and behind every statistic is a human story and a future suddenly thrown into uncertainty,” she said.
Sharing her personal encounters with cancer, having lost both her husband and father to the disease, Madam Brigidi highlighted the emotional, financial, and physical scars left behind. “I stand here not just as a speaker, but as a witness to what cancer can take away,” she stated. “I have watched loved ones fight bravely, and I have felt the deep pain that loss leaves behind.”
She stressed that awareness and early detection are critical to reducing deaths, noting that many Ghanaians still lack access to proper screening, reliable information, and adequate treatment. She appealed to healthcare professionals, corporate institutions, policymakers, the media, and the general public to join hands in the fight. “Early detection saves lives. Your support today can lead to someone’s healing tomorrow,” she said.
Madam Brigidi further called for collective responsibility to sustain the foundation’s mission. “To our medical professionals, we need your expertise. To corporate partners, your resources. To the media, your voice. To policymakers, your support. And to the public, your compassion,” she urged. She also insisted that breast cancer awareness should not be limited to annual campaigns, saying, “Breast cancer awareness must not be seasonal.”
Mrs Diana Fafa Gozo, founder of the Dzidula Pink Foundation, shared her own cancer journey, describing the shock of diagnosis, the fear that followed, and the difficult path through treatment. Her experience transformed her pain into purpose and inspired her to create a foundation to ensure no cancer patient walks alone.
Mrs Gozo explained that many patients struggle not only with treatment costs but also with emotional resilience. She outlined the foundation’s initiatives, which include awareness and early detection campaigns, patient support funds, community outreach, and survival support circles. “This foundation is my offering of gratitude, courage, and compassion and a reminder that no one should walk the cancer journey alone,” she concluded.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) says it will deploy teams of Public Health Officers, members of its Sanitation Taskforce, and labourers, including sweepers and janitors, across all sub-metros to support the third National Sanitation Day exercise.
It explained that these teams will be equipped with waste collection trucks, tippers, and other tools to help with desilting, refuse collection, and transporting waste to approved disposal sites.
The AMA reminded residents that failing to comply with the sanitation directive or refusing to participate in communal labour is an offence.
It said offenders risk a fine of up to 100 penalty units, imprisonment between 30 days and six months, or both, with repeat offenders liable to additional daily penalties.
It urged all residents, traders, transport operators, market women, shop owners, landlords, tenants, and businesses to actively participate in the exercise.
The AMA said it counts on everyone’s collective responsibility to keep Accra clean, liveable, and resilient, especially as the city approaches Christmas and the New Year.
By: Jacob Aggrey
