The sign, our language, our pride

The Ghana Association of the Deaf celebrated its week in September last year. It was a time to share pleasantries, consolidate their gains and reflect on their needs. The association, which has been the mouthpiece of the deaf community, brought to the fore some of their needs that they want government, non-governmental organisations, charitable institutions and concerned citizens to assist them with. They include recognition and acceptance of the “Sign Language” and supporting the schools for the deaf with computers.

Sign language is the only medium of communication used to engage the deaf community in effective communication.  However, it lacks the impact it should have in our everyday communication with our fellow brothers and sisters who are deaf.  

The most alarming aspect, which is evidenced, is the fact that most deaf people refuse to go to health facilities because majority of health staff are not “sign language“ literate and are unable to effectively communicate with them to meet their needs.   The health staff who attempt to communicate with them sometimes misrepresents their concerns. 

The misinterpretation reflects in ineffective history taking that ultimately results in wrong diagnosis and obviously wrong treatment. In the course of such developments, deaf patients have been plunged into serious health challenges, with others losing their lives.

Quality health care for all 

The Ministry of Health has the mandate to provide quality health care for all people living in Ghana. Quality care is meeting the needs and expectations of clients; therefore, if health providers lack an orientation to sign language, how do they deliver their services to the deaf community? Can the deaf community be seen as marginalised? 

Healthcare delivery, I believe, should be equitable and fairly distributed. If health staff are unable to communicate and understand the deaf, it is appropriate to employ the services of a sign language interpreter; but how many facilities know where to locate or contact them? 

If the deaf community is not able to source health services from health institutions, it means the Ministry of Health has failed in its mandate to provide health services to all people living in Ghana. It is sad to say that within this premise they become vulnerable to quack doctors, herbal and chemical sellers. I do not think this is the pride of the Health Ministry.  

The United Nations Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities states that persons with disabilities shall be entitled on an equal basis with others to recognition and support of their specific, cultural and linguistic identity including sign language and deaf culture.

Deaf culture is not popular in our society and it would not be surprising that most people do not know what it entails. The ignorant malign the deaf community in the wider society and deprive them of making meaningful contributions to the development of the nation politically, economically and socially.

 The deaf community has well-educated men and women. Currently, there are two with doctorate degrees, about 11 with Master’s degrees and a number with first degrees. Learned citizens of such calibre undoubtedly have a wealth of knowledge to add to the “think tank” of national development if given the chance. 

Unfortunately, after achieving these academic laurels, most are not gainfully employed because job opportunities and modalities to absorb them into the wider society occupational setting are nonexistent. 

At this point, it is worthwhile to mention that from the 13 junior schools across the country, there is only one senior high school for the deaf at Mampong. One can, therefore, envisage what our learned friends in the deaf community who have achieved high laurels had to go through; they deserve to have a payoff for their toil.

Institutionalise sign language

An important issue to address urgently is Information and Communications Technology. It is sad to know that in this information age, the only senior high school for the deaf lacks a requisite computer laboratory. Owning a computer today is not a luxury but a necessity. Therefore, lack of this facility in this day and era brings to question how the deaf schools are resourced. 

The deaf may be physically challenged in verbal communication but not reading and writing, especially the educated. The deaf community is, therefore, deprived totally of their most essential tools for effective communication, the sign language and information, communication and technology facilities. 

This is a wake-up call for the government, policy makers, non-governmental organisations, ministries, departments and agencies and all who are concerned to come out with proactive measures to address the needs of the deaf community as ardent members of the society. 

In addressing their needs, the following can be considered: there should be a national policy and agenda to institutionalise the sign language for every citizen to have some education in the sign language and this can start from the primary schools.

Health is wealth; therefore, the Ministry of Health should come up with a policy for every health facility to have staff trained in the sign language or employ interpreters to readily assist clients who are deaf.

The Ministry of Education should assist with more senior secondary schools to encourage deaf students to continue their education from the junior schools. The Ministry of Employment and other ministries, departments and agencies should come out with modalities that will address the employment needs of the deaf community.