RECOGNITION OF GH. SIGN LANGUAGE (GhSL): "Linguistic Human Right"

Sign language is ‘our pride’, ‘our language’, ‘our culture’ and ‘our life’. Where it is unavailable our life is ‘short-lived’; when not known we are ‘discriminated’ and when not valued our ‘right’ infringed upon. Because of the negative societal attitude towards Sign Language, we are persistently subjected to undeserving injustices in the society, in every sphere of life. When we open our beautiful arms for the hands to do the talking the society looks and mocks at us; when one goes to seek assistance the person is tagged ‘beggar’ and  we are seen as illiterate. For those who have these negative perceptions about Deaf we are urging them to put an end to it.

If Ghana has a strong belief in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and if she is a signatory of the convention of Rights of PWD's, then the Linguistic Right; “the right to Sign Language” of Deaf people must be respected. The Ghana Disability Law, though significant lacks the necessary strength to address the situation. It seems the government of Ghana and legislators are ignorant as to the role performed by Sign Language in the lives of Deaf people. If it is the cost that would be involved with implementation, how possible was it for the government to pay gargantuan sums money to doctors, lawyers among other professionals, and even prepared to double it for parliamentarians??

Recognition of sign language as a complete and natural means of communication for deaf people will help Deaf people to become integrated into society and gain access to justice, education and employment.

While Sign Language has been recognized in some countries the world over, the situation is however quiet different in Ghana. There is usually no access to information for Deaf people, which means that they do not even know what is happening in their immediate society and even less so in the world. The Ghanaian sign language is not recognized as one of the many local languages in Ghana and it usage is limited to only the Deaf community.  This has made it difficult for Deaf people in Ghana to develop into a coherent social group and participate in mainstream society. Calls on the government and legislators, as well as, the Commission on Human Rights And Administrative Justice for its support went unheeded.

This is a violation of Deaf peoples “RIGHT TO LANGUAGE AND INFORMATION”  as enshrined in chapter (5) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana. It also contravenes Article 2; Article 9.2,e; Article 21.b and 21.e; Article 24.3b and 24.3c;and 24.4; Article  30.4 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and generally portrays lack of respect to human rights specifically, the ‘linguistic rights’ of Deaf people. “People who are deprived of Linguistic Human Rights may thereby be prevented from enjoying other human rights, including fair political representation, a fair trial, access to education, access to information and freedom of speech, and maintenance of their cultural heritage.“ (Skutnabb-Kangas, Phillipson 1995:2).

The Ghana Disability Act (715) has not been able to address these issues since its passage in 2006. Though significant, it seems to lack the strength necessary to address the challenges Deaf people in Ghana encounter, in terms of communication barriers. The lack of legislative instrument necessary to advance sections (17) and (21) of the GDA Act (715) compounds the prevailing situation of Deaf people in Ghana.

Counting on all well meaning Ghanaians to please join and help support a noble cause for the betterment of all....

Thank you all....

Mr. Kumah Bernard Selly    Contact the author of the petition