The Member of Parliament (MP) for Akuapem North, Samuel Awuku, has urged for immediate and focused measures to tackle the urgent issues confronting students at the Akropong School for the Deaf located in Mampong, Eastern Region.
This call to action follows a meeting between students and various Members of Parliament (MPs), which the Department of Public Engagement organized with assistance from Mr. Awuku.
The event included presentations from several MPs, such as Fred Agbenyo (Guan), Edem Agbana (Ketu North), Kojo Oppong Nkrumah (Ofoase-Ayirebi), Shirley Kyei (Atwima Nwabiagya South), and Wallace Pele (Afram Plains North).
In briefing Parliament regarding the event’s outcomes, Mr. Awuku characterized the gathering as a significant move towards fostering inclusive dialogue and participatory democracy.
He pointed out critical issues, including the lack of a legislative framework for deaf education, inadequate infrastructure, and the necessity for a curriculum specifically designed for hearing-impaired students. Additionally, he expressed concern for student safety due to the school’s split-campus design, which necessitates crossing busy roads on a daily basis.
“The only Senior High Technical School for the Deaf in the nation operates without any legal framework to ensure its future through guaranteed funding, policy guidance, or institutional support. This situation renders the school susceptible to erratic funding, administrative oversight, and insufficient infrastructure,” Mr. Awuku informed Parliament.
He emphasized that the students are not seeking pity, but rather fairness and equal opportunities.
In light of this, Mr. Awuku suggested that Parliament refer the issue to the appropriate committees, including Education, Gender, Children and Social Protection, as well as Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs, to deliberate on a bill that would guarantee dedicated funding, qualified personnel, and enhanced infrastructure for institutions catering to special needs.
He also endorsed the movement for the formal recognition of Ghanaian Sign Language on a national level, advocating for reforms that ensure the availability of interpreters in courts and police stations to facilitate access to justice for individuals with hearing impairments.
Mr. Awuku emphasized that such legislation would extend beyond the support of a single institution, symbolizing a national dedication to inclusivity, equity, and sustainable development.
“This is in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 concerning Quality Education, specifically Target 4.5, which seeks to eradicate disparities and guarantee equal access to all educational and vocational training opportunities for persons with disabilities and other vulnerable populations,” he remarked.
The former Director-General of the National Lottery Authority expressed his belief that, with the support of Parliament, sustainable and enduring solutions can be enacted to elevate marginalized communities throughout Ghana.
