With an estimated 740,000 Ghanaians living with hearing impairments, it is essential that as a nation we begin to provide them with the necessary tools to succeed.
According to a Senior Lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Daniel Fobi, over 90 per cent of deaf people are born into households where families do not understand sign language.
The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) estimates that there are approximately 70 to 72 million deaf people in the world, with more than 80 per cent living in developing countries.
Unfortunately, many countries have not legally recognised their national sign language, which is a grave violation of deaf people's fundamental rights. Ghana is no exception, despite the Ghanaian Sign Language (GSL) being the primary and most widely used sign language in the country.
To this end, the Daily Graphic commends the Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education, Peter Nortsu Kotoe, for advocating the inclusion of sign language in the curriculum of senior high schools (SHSs) in Ghana.
We are heartened by the Ministry of Education's launch of a harmonised GSL dictionary and a GSL curriculum for Deaf schools. This is a significant step towards national recognition and a more inclusive educational system.
We also commend advocates for their efforts to ensure that the Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2024, includes provisions that formally recognise GSL as an official language.
This initiative is a step in the right direction towards creating an inclusive and accessible educational system for persons with hearing impairments.
This creates a language gap right from birth, leading to suspicion, alienation and psychological challenges. By introducing sign language in SHSs, we can bridge this gap and promote better communication, empathy and understanding among students.
Learning sign language can be beneficial for everyone, regardless of age or profession.
It enables individuals to communicate with peers who are deaf or hard of hearing, creating a more inclusive environment.
Studies also show that learning a second language, including sign language, enhances cognitive abilities and improves academic performance.
Proficiency in sign language can also open up career opportunities in fields such as interpretation, teaching or social work among deaf communities.
We support the call for sign language to be added to the curriculum of not only SHSs but also basic and junior high schools, and universities.
This will ensure that no child with hearing impairment is left behind due to communication barriers.
Additionally, deaf students could have different choices of schools to attend because of the availability of sign language interpretation.
While there may be concerns about curriculum overload or a lack of resources, these challenges can be addressed with proper planning and investment.
Teacher training programmes and partnerships with organisations specialising in sign language education can equip educators with the necessary skills.
We also support the suggestion by experts for the government to consider integrating sign language into the curricula of health professionals and provide sign language interpreters at national and important events.
This will help break down barriers and build a more inclusive future.
Furthermore, we support the call by the Ghana National Association of the Deaf, Juventus Duorinaah, for media houses to include sign language interpretation in all news bulletins, public announcements, and at national events.
The inclusion of sign language in the country's educational system is a matter of great importance. It is essential that we look seriously at the needs of persons with hearing impairments and provide them with the necessary tools to succeed.
We urge the government to take concrete steps towards implementing this initiative and to work with stakeholders to ensure its success.
Together, we can create a more inclusive and accessible society for all Ghanaians.
