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Parents with hearing impaired children advised to engage sign language interpreters at home

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An 18-year-old hearing impaired student, Ms. Tabitha Abed has advised parents to engage the services of Sign Language Interpreters to facilitate effective communication between them (parents) and their children with hearing challenges.
Her advice followed her experience of constant struggle with her father when it came to taking major decisions concerning her.
It is recalled that on page 5 of June 26, 2021, edition of The Spectator, a story was carried under the headline “physically- challenged father recounts experience of raising disabled child” which talked about the frustrations of a father who among others, struggled to communicate with her daughter.
Tabitha stated that on a number of occasions she and her father had been able to make a headway in critical decisions concerning her welfare only when a Volunteer Sign Language Interpreter, Mr. Dennis Asamoah, had been called upon to listen to both sides and carry each other’s concerns for easy understanding.
Speaking through the interpreter she told this reporter that before this term started, there had been back and forth about why she was unwilling to go back to school and every effort to get her father, Mr. Abed to understand her concerns at school had proved futile.
She said she had not been impressed with her academic performances for a while and was really disturbed and even feared she could fail her exams going forward hence her decision not to go back to school and thought this would save time, energy and even money her father who is a barber had to spend on her education.
The student was happy that Mr. Asamoah saved the day by facilitating effective communication between her and the father and, therefore, recommended that many parents should employ the services of experts in Sign Language so that they could better understand their children especially when it came to education and general welfare issues.
Interestingly, she said that she was not worried speaking to her father through an interpreter but rather found this more convenient because it saved both of them the stress and struggles of having to put their emotions and desires across without creating the impression that she was being disrespectful to her father.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Ashaiman
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UGMC disputes Michael Blackson’s claims over late mother’s treatment

The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has disputed claims made on social media by comedian Michael Blackson concerning the treatment given to his late mother, saying a review found that the allegations did not accurately reflect what happened during her stay at the hospital.
In a statement issued in Accra on August 5, 2026, the management of UGMC expressed condolences to Mr. Blackson and his family over the death of his 83-year-old mother, who died at the facility on July 16, 2026.
The hospital said it had taken the concerns raised by Mr. Blackson seriously and conducted a thorough review in line with its clinical and administrative procedures.
According to the statement, the facts presented by Mr. Blackson on social media contained “numerous inaccuracies” and did not accurately reflect the medical care provided to his mother.
UGMC explained that she was referred to the facility from another hospital and received treatment there from May 27 to July 16, 2026, a period of about eight weeks.
The hospital stated that it would not release details of her diagnosis, treatment, medical records or other aspects of her care because it had a duty to protect patient confidentiality, even after death.
It said the decision was intended to respect the dignity of the deceased and the privacy of her family.
UGMC further stated that all clinical decisions at the facility are made by qualified healthcare professionals based on medical judgment, established standards of care and the best interests of the patient.
The statement added that such decisions are made in consultation with authorised family representatives where necessary and that billing and financial procedures are governed by institutional policies and are separate from clinical decision-making.
The hospital noted that it values feedback from patients and their families and considers both positive and negative comments important for improving the quality of care.
Mr. Blackson had earlier used social media to criticise the care his mother received at UGMC, prompting the hospital’s response.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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NPP suspends Greater Accra campaigns ahead of “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has directed all aspirants campaigning in the Greater Accra Region to suspend their campaign activities on August 5 and 6 and instead mobilise supporters for the party’s planned “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration.
The directive was issued by the party’s National Steering Committee in a statement signed by the NPP General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the decision forms part of efforts to ensure a strong turnout for the demonstration, which is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 2026.
The party said the protest would begin at 5:00 a.m., with participants expected to gather at the Supreme Court in Accra.
It further directed Regional, Constituency and Polling Station Executives in Greater Accra to work closely to mobilise members and supporters for the event.
“The National Steering Committee is calling on all aspirants currently campaigning across the Greater Accra Region to temporarily suspend their campaign activities on the 5th and 6th of August and join in mobilising support for the upcoming demonstration,” the statement noted.
The NPP appealed to party members and supporters to remain peaceful, disciplined and orderly throughout the protest.
The demonstration forms part of the party’s response to concerns it has raised over issues relating to Ghana’s democratic governance and the justice system.
The NPP leadership expressed confidence that party members would cooperate fully to ensure a successful and peaceful event.
By: Jacob Aggrey




