Government urged to provide interpreters for the deaf

December 27, 2010 Bonsu (E/R), Dec. 27, GNA - Evangelist George Frimpong, the Chief Executive Officer of the Church of Christ Deaf Ministry, has appealed to the Government to provide interpreters at hospitals, police stations and other important places to bridge the communication gap between the deaf and the non-deaf population.

He said the appeal was as a result of an arrest of a deaf by the police, who rather went to the station to report someone, who had stolen his mobile phone and was not understood because of the communication problem.

Evangelist Frimpong made the appeal at the fifth National Bible Camp for the deaf at Bonsu by the Church of Christ on Sunday.

The camp was to teach them with the word of God and also have the opportunity to meet with some important personalities in the country, who would be encouraging them.

He said by deploying interpreters for the deaf, government would also be creating employment for translators who were jobless and will help promote the "better Ghana agenda".

Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, the Eastern Regional Minister, called on private television stations to employ interpreters to translate their programmes to the deaf, who also watches their stations.

He said the deaf or physically challenged should not be left out in any program or policies in the country.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said in view of that, the District Assembly Common Fund has allocated some percentage of the funds to be given to the society.

He urged them to take advantage of some opportunities like the funds allocated to them by the district assembly, to form groups and do something for themselves.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo encouraged them not to give up and not to be discouraged by their disability because it is not inability.

GNA