The Sharon Institute in conjunction with Ghana the National Association of the Deaf (GNAD) organized a month-long sign language program which was aimed at helping the participants to communicate more effectively with the deaf in society whenever the need arises.
Participants were selected from the health sector, education, religious organizations as well as from the media in the Tamale, and it was the 3rd in the series of sign language training to have been organized by the Sharon Institute.
At a colorful graduation ceremony held in Tamale, all 16 participants who were trained in sign language communication were issued certificates of participation.
Head of research and Innovation at Sharon Institute, Wisdom Amegatse, remarked that the public shouldn’t be deprived of the fact that the deaf community are tax payers and are not able to receive decent health care because hospital staff are not able to communicate effectively with them.
He however said that through the Sharon Institute and its collaborators, the Tamale West Hospital has about 5 staff trained in sign language so the deaf community in Tamale and its environs always visit that facility whenever they needed health care.
A facilitator and interpreter, Atawulahi Fuseini also implored upon the public the need to learn sign language communication because it is the new language everyone is required to learn in order to communicate effectively with the deaf in society.
Some of the participants expressed their delight to have learnt sign language.
The sign language training was organized in partnership with the Ghana Library Board, Northern Region, Savelugu School for the Deaf (SAVEDEAF), Prowis Engineering and FLIPSIDE AFRICA Foundation.
Story By Sa’ad Salis
