The Disability Support and Services Unit (DSSU) at the Takoradi Technical University (TTU), has celebrated one of their products, Ms Ama Andowa Buabeng,  for being the overall best deaf performing student at the 6th congregation of the university.

Ms Buabeng,24, last Saturday, graduated with Second Class Upper (Honours), Diploma in Graphic  Design for the 2020/21 academic year.

The Spectator has been hinted that,  Ms Buabeng, who would work as a  national service person at Graphic Design Department, is on her way to achieve more feats,  and that,  there is an opportunity for her to become a Teaching Assistant and a  lecturer in future.

“ Your outstanding learning ethics is evidenced in your sustained progression and eventual excellence. Your groundbreaking project work which mounted on the walkways  of the University campus leaves a lasting memory of your contribution towards research and  problem solving.”  A citation in recognition of Ms Buabeng’s academic excellence stated.

The citation signed by Head, Disability Support and Services Unit, Mr Joseph Mensah Oti -Asirifi, the Registrar, Dr Moses  Maclean Abnory and the Pro -Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victor K. Bondzie- Micah, noted that,  Ms Buaben was a role model, with high  moral principles, and, revered by everyone in the university.

It said, she successfully communicated and exemplified that disability was not inability or limitation.

“You epitomises the university motto’ adwen, Akoma, nsa ma mpuntu. The Disability  Support and Service Unit is extremely proud of your monumental contribution in building a reputation for deaf students in particular, and students with disability in general.”  it concluded.

Meanwhile, reacting to Ms Buabeng’s feat, Head, DSSU at TTU, Mr Joseph Mensah-Oti Asirifi, noted that, her performance was ample statement of what the unit had yearned for all these years, that disabled students would be appropriately recognised within the academic arena and society.

He argued that such students needed national recongnition and also given a proven career so that they did not populate the streets as beggars.

The media and societal  mindset, Mr Oti-Asirifi said,  must  also be discarded  that that such  persons were not normal or nor knowledgeable, saying  that “ we must  work  to encourage them to excel.”

‘Deaf is only limited by hearing, but, the other four senses are well activated. It’s TTU responsibility to work towards bringing out the potentials of these disabled for the benefit of the family and society,” he said.

Mr Oti-Asirifi said TTU believed that the situation where the hearing impaired class becomes an exclusive one must be broken for policy makers to ensure an integrated system whereby hearing impaired would sit in the same class with other students.

This, he told The Spectator, was to ensure inclusiveness within the academia and industry. Takoradi Technical University values and supports the principle of universal access to employment and education for all staff and students respectively, including those with a disability.

“The University shall be committed to the provision of a work and training environment in which staff and students shall not be subject to any discrimination or any form of bigotry because of a disability.” Mr Oti-Asirifi added.

From Clement Adzei Boye, Takoradi