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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
Madam Sandra Seyram Kpedor, the District Chief Executive (DCE) of Anloga in the Volta Region, has emphasised the importance of parental involvement in children’s education, stating that education is free, but parents need to do more to support their children.
She said parents, teachers, and students must be involved in addressing the challenges facing the district’s education sector, particularly the poor Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results.
Madam Kpedor outlined some key roles parents should play to promote their children’s education, including providing a conducive learning environment, monitoring their children’s progress, and supporting teachers.
The DCE highlighted some challenges the district faced such as inadequate infrastructure and a shortage of teachers, which have also contributed to the poor BECE results and called on well-to-do parent to help solve the situation through and other supports.
To address the issues, she also announced that plans have been taken to utilise the district’s common fund to implement educational projects, such as constructing school blocks and teachers’ bungalows at Sodzi community, and 2-unit classroom blocks each at Akplorwutorkor and Tegbi-Afedome respectively, among others.
Madam Kpedor also noted that her office had earlier notified the Ministry of Education to deploy more teachers to the area to improve teaching and learning, and encouraged students to work hard and strive for excellence, and work beyond their limit to succeed.
“To my wonderful and beautiful girls, you have to know it clear that women and girls have equal opportunities to compete with men for greater achievements,” she indicated.
The DCE cited her own achievement as a testament to the fact that women can excel in leadership positions, alongside Vice President Nana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and stressed that girls were no longer limited to domestic roles but can pursue their dreams and become leaders.
Additionally, she mentioned that a meeting was held earlier with assembly members, and other stakeholders to address the district’s educational challenges and improve academic performance.
She promised that the district’s education oversight committee and stakeholders would work together to address the challenges and improve the district’s BECE results and called for parental involvement and support to boost the district’s education sector for children to chase their dreams to become future leaders for the success of the district and the nation.
She urged parents not to leave everything to the government but rather help in the provision of some necessary materials such as textbooks, exercise books, pens, pencils, food, and guidance to children for the successes of young learners. –GNA
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The spokesperson for Dr. Bawumia, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has criticised the implementation of the NDC government’s No Fee Stress policy, arguing that the programme has failed to deliver on its core promise.
According to him on Starr fm, the policy, which was introduced to ensure stress free payment of fees for level 100 tertiary students, has rather turned into what he described as post stress support.
He explained that students are required to pay their fees first before applying for reimbursement, a situation he believes defeats the purpose of the policy.
He questioned claims by government officials that the policy has been successful and that citizens are happy.
In his view, such claims do not reflect the lived realities of many Ghanaians. He stressed that while some people may appear satisfied, many others continue to struggle.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye pointed to the situation of trained teachers and nurses who have been picketing for nearly six months, demanding employment.
He noted that government responses suggesting it cannot accommodate all of them contradict claims of economic stability.
He further argued that economic indicators such as a stable currency mean little to people who are unable to secure jobs or access promised support.
He observed that telling an unemployed teacher or a struggling student that the cedi has strengthened does not address their immediate challenges.
On the issue of tertiary education, he maintained that no level 100 student benefited from stress free fees in 2025, despite the policy being announced.
He added that in 2026, students have already reported to school without receiving the promised support.
He insisted that asking students to pay fees first and seek reimbursement later amounts to support after hardship, not stress free education.
According to him, this approach goes against what was promised during the policy announcement.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye questioned why a government that presents the economy as strong is unable to fulfil what he described as simple and clear promises.
He added that there is a fundamental problem with the way the economy is being managed and indicated that he is prepared to explain his position further.
By: Jacob Aggrey
