The U. S. Embassy in Ghana has organised a 2-day workshop on effective use of social media for person’s with hearing disabilities in the Upper East Region.
The Embassy brought technology experts and about forty students from deaf schools in Northern and Upper East Regions.
The facilitators took participants through how to use mobile phones and social media tools to create and grow their businesses.
They were also trained on using tech tools to enhance communication. The U. S. State Department has conducted more than 60 Technology camps all over the world since 2010, training more than 110 countries.
The deaf and hard of hearing are part of marginalised individuals in the country who are often relegated to the background and therefore face barriers to participation in society.
This lack of participation often leads to the inability to take control over one’s own life and health. It also gives rise to feelings of inferiority in several situations. This feelings further leads to lack of self-esteem and a perception of low self-image which adversely affects the psychological and social health of a person.
The Ghanaian society is one in which people have not been socialized to accept differences in terms of disabilities. Therefore, persons with disabilities, particularly the deaf are highly discriminated against. While communication remains the greatest barriers for the deaf, studies have shown that there are other barriers to participation as well. It is against this background that the U. S Embassy in Ghana has organized a two-day accessibility Technology workshop in Bolgatanga for persons living with hearing disability.
The Digital Engagement Coordinator at the U. S. Embassy-Ghana, Courage Ahiati, said the move was aimed at providing them with the requisite skills on how to use technology to create and grow their businesses and also solve challenges in their various communities.
Mr. Ahiati said Technology Camps organised by U. S. Embassy in Ghana are practical, participant-driven workshops that connect technology experts with participants to explore and apply innovative technology solutions to address issues in their communities and global challenges.
The Regional Public Engagement Specialist at the U. S. Embassy-Ghana Public Affairs Section, Myra Michele Brown, said the move was aimed at impacting skills and information about the importance of twenty first century tools.
The Headmaster of Gbeogo School for the Deaf in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region, Felix Neetege, said many parents in the region are still not aware that there is a special school for persons with hearing disabilities. He said students in the school do not pay tuition and feeding fees, government pays all and the students are giving monthly allowances from the disability fund.
The Headmaster of Savelugu School for the Deaf in the Northern Region, Daniel Kwadwo Nsoah, expressed worry about the lack of accommodation for teachers in the school.
According to him, almost all the teachers have to travel long distance daily to the school. Mr. Kwadwo Nsoah said the situation is affecting teaching and learning.
He, therefore, called on government through the ministry of education to as a matter of urgency provide the school with the needed teaching and learning materials. Participants drawn from the Upper East and Northern Regions include teachers, hairdressers, business men and women, students, entrepreneurs among others.
Story by GBC’s Samuel Ayammah
