The Deaf community in Ghana has petitioned the Ministry of Information to ensure that there is a mandatory Sign Language Interpretation of all major news bulletins on Television Stations or Channels in Ghana in order not to leave anyone behind.
According to them, it is disappointing to observe that in the midst of the global Coronavirus pandemic, information sharing in Ghana has began without reaching the Deaf community, instead of being guided by the policy of leaving no one behind.
In a press statement, the Deaf community pointed that although provision was made for Sign Language Interpretation at the Media Briefing held at the Ministry of Information Conference Room on Sunday 15th March, 2020, the Interpreter was for the most part out of sight of viewers as he was not properly positioned to perform his duties as expected.
They added that,”Instead of being positioned right next to any principal speaker behind the podium, in order to be visible at all times, that was not the case.”
The Deaf community also stated that the President’s televised nationwide State of COVID-19 address in the night of Sunday 15 March, 2020 was regretably delivered without provision for simultaneous sign language Interpretation thus cutting off a significant section of the community.
“This trend continued when the Ministry of Information’s subsequent Media Briefing had no Sign Language Interpretation whatsoever. This obvious neglect must be addressed without delay. Every life matters, every life counts,” the Deaf community added.
Below is a statement:
19th March, 2020
HON. MINISTER
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
PETITION FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
*URGENT NEED FOR SIGN LANGUAGE INTEPRETATION FOR COVID-19 INFORMATION BROADCAST*
The Right of Access to Information is a fundamental human right for citizens as well as residents in many Countries. Ghana’s Constitution duly guarantees this right in Article 21(1)(f) and has found expression in the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), which received Presidential assent on 21st May, 2019 following passage of the Bill by Parliament on 26th March, 2019.
It is disappointing to observe that in the midst of the global Coronavirus pandemic, information sharing in Ghana has began without reaching the DEAF community, instead of being guided by the policy of leaving no one behind.
Although provision was made for Sign Language Interpretation at the Media Briefing held at the Ministry of Information Conference Room on Sunday 15th March, 2020, the Interpreter was for the most part out of sight of viewers as he was not properly positioned to perform his duties as expected. Instead of being positioned right next to any principal speaker behind the podium, in order to be visible at all times, that was not the case.
Furthermore, the President’s televised nationwide State of COVID-19 address in the night of Sunday 15 March, 2020 was regretably delivered without provision for simultaneous sign language Interpretation thus cutting off a significant section of the community. This trend continued when the Ministry of Information’s subsequent Media Briefing had no Sign Language Interpretation whatsoever.
This obvious neglect must be addressed without delay. Every life matters, every life counts.
Moving forward, we petition the Ministry of Information to ensure that there is a mandatory Sign Language Interpretation of all major news bulletins on Television Stations or Channels in Ghana in order not to leave anyone behind.
Signed
Alexander TETTEH
Chairman
Ghana Disability Forum
0244620971
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Coronavirus: Interpret information in sign language-Deaf community to Gov't – Atinka FM