The Special Education Division of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced that Sign Language may become a compulsory subject in basic schools within the next five years. According to Ms Gloria Ntim, an official with the Special Education Division, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) has approved Sign Language for piloting in selected special schools. This development is part of efforts to promote inclusivity and enhance communication between deaf and hearing students.
The announcement was made at an event organised by the Ghana National Association of the Deaf (GNAD) to mark the International Day of Sign Languages, celebrated annually on September 23. The event brought together stakeholders to discuss strategies for effectively including deaf persons in national development. GNAD also used the occasion to engage stakeholders on accelerating the passage of the Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2026, which aims to empower persons with disabilities to exercise their rights.
Ms Ntim explained that in the years ahead, Sign Language will become an examinable subject to encourage children to interact and communicate effectively with their deaf colleagues. This move is expected to promote social inclusion and provide equal opportunities for deaf students. By making Sign Language a compulsory subject, the government aims to bridge the communication gap between deaf and hearing students.
Ms Jennifer Asuako, Gender and Human Rights Analyst at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), emphasised that Sign Language is not merely a means of communication but a fundamental right. She called for swift passage of the Persons with Disabilities Bill to empower persons with disabilities to exercise their rights. According to her, empowerment should be at the centre of disability inclusion.
Disability activists and stakeholders have expressed support for the plans to make Sign Language compulsory in basic schools. Mr Alexander Bankole Williams, a disability activist, commended GNAD for convening the forum but urged the government to expedite the passage of the Bill. He noted that the NDC administration had fast-tracked the passage of some legislation within their first year in office, but the disability bill had remained pending for years.
Other stakeholders, including Ms Adwoa Okorewaa, representing the Inclusive Family Alliance, called on stakeholders not to overlook the critical role of parents and caregivers of children with disabilities. She reiterated that a truly inclusive approach should recognise parents and caregivers not simply as beneficiaries but as essential partners in their child’s development. Their voices, experiences, and needs must be reflected in disability policies, programmes, and services.
The government has reiterated its commitment to the passage of the Persons with Disabilities Bill. Mr Edwin Andoh, Executive Secretary of the National Council on Persons with Disabilities, expressed hope that the Bill would be passed soon. GNAD has joined the global community in celebrating the International Week of the Deaf, from September 21 to 27, 2026, with various events and fora aimed at promoting inclusivity and disability rights.
Key points
- Sign Language to become compulsory in Ghanaian basic schools within five years.
- Stakeholders call for swift passage of the Persons with Disabilities Bill.
- Government reiterates commitment to disability inclusion and empowerment.
