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GNAD urges media to champion issues of deaf inclusion
The Ghana National Association of the Deaf (GNAD) has urged the Ghanaian media to play a stronger role in ensuring access to information and inclusion for deaf and hard-of-hearing people.
The call was made by Mr Juventus Duorinaah, Executive Director of GNAD, as part of activities marking this year’s International Week of the Deaf (IWD), which is celebrated globally every September under the auspices of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD).
This year’s celebration is themed: ‘No Human Rights without Sign Language Rights.’
According to him, the theme resonates with GNAD’s ongoing advocacy to remove communication barriers and secure the linguistic rights of the deaf community in Ghana.
Mr Duorinaah explained that the recognition of sign language as a human right was supported by international commitments, including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), particularly Article 9 on accessibility.
He added that other frameworks, such as UN General Assembly Resolutions A/RES/72/161 and A/ RES/72/162, which proclaim September 23 as the International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL), further affirmed the importance of accessible information and communication.
As part of the celebration, GNAD would host a Media Forum under the theme: ‘no human rights without sign language rights: What role will the Ghanaian media play in ensuring access to information and inclusion?’
The forum will convene heads of news, station managers, directors of TV, producers, publishers, and other key industry players to deliberate on practical ways to promote inclusive communication.
“The media is a key driver of public information and awareness, and it holds a unique responsibility to ensure deaf people are not left behind,” Mr Duorinaah stated.
“By championing inclusion through sign language interpretation and accessible formats, Ghanaian media outlets can help advance the rights and dignity of deaf citizens while strengthening the country’s commitments to international human rights obligations,” he added.
The discussions will spotlight challenges that hinder the deaf’s access to media content and explore strategies for promoting deaf inclusion in the Ghanaian media landscape.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
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Medical Doctor and dietician, Dr Bernice Korkor Asare, has urged women to take greater responsibility for their lifestyle choices, particularly their eating habits and levels of physical activity, to help reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.
According to her, although, some breast cancer risk factors, such as family history and certain reproductive factors, may not be within an individual’s control, lifestyle choices offer an opportunity for people to take preventive action.
She made this known during a talk on the topic: “Role of diet in breast cancer prevention” organised by Times Ladies Association of the New Times Corporation, publishers of The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator, in Accra on Thursday.
The event themed “Breast Cancer Awareness- Promoting Early Detection, Healthy Eating and Prevention.” 
She noted that having a risk factor did not automatically mean a person would develop breast cancer, but could increase the likelihood of developing the disease compared with someone without that particular risk factor.
“Having close relatives who have had breast cancer, particularly a mother, sister or daughter, may increase the risk, although not everyone with a family history will develop the disease,” Dr Asare opined. Read More.
By Adizatu K. Munkaila
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A group of compassionate friends from Innovation Gospel Impact last Friday visited the management, teachers and learners of the Street Academy in Accra.
The visit was to interact to get a deeper insight into the operations of the Academy that houses hundreds of street and underprivileged children and find ways to support them.
The team was led by Rev. Dr Isaac Apenteng Yeboah, a former Director for West African Mailbox Club and Director for Prisons Support Foundation, and Rev. Dale Sutherland from Washington DC.
The call, according to the visitors was occasioned by reports about the struggles of the Academy despite the occasional support it enjoys from individuals and some corporate entities.
Briefing them, the Founder and Executive Director of the Academy, Dr Ataa Lartey, thanked them for the concern showed, indicating that “this is a major boost for both teachers and learners; knowing that their plight is known by people outside their premises.”
According Dr Lartey, the Academy had planned to undertake a number of project to enhance teaching and learning and also procure facilities for the children with keen interest in sports but had to shelve those plans for lack of finance.
He told the team that their biggest concerns were the monthly utility bills that takes a toll on their finances.
“We have a piece of land we planned to turn into an astro turf pitch to train the younger ones whose interests lies in making a career out of football, however, we have been unable to commence because there is no money now,” he said.
Dr Lartey expressed gratitude to the teachers who have dedicated their lives to training these children, rather than going for well-paying jobs and hoped that with time, their conditions of engagement would improve.
Moved by the plight of the Academy, the group donated a cash amount of Gh₵3,000 to settle its water bills.
They described as unfortunate the conditions of learners and teachers of the Academy and pledged to continuously support their operations to realize the dream to build a better future for the unfortunate children.
The group offered to support the school with its monthly utility bills, feeding and staff allowance and urged the Academy staff to remain in constant touch with them.
The Street Academy is located at the Accra Art Center and offers brilliant but needy the chance to pursue their educational dreams by enrolling them in public schools with others offered training in sports and cultural activities.
By Spectator Reporter
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