{
  "id": 10221329,
  "title": "Gov’t to develop policy for Ghanaian Sign Language in education",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/govt-to-develop-policy-for-ghanaian-sign-language-in-education",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-27T13:30:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/govt-to-develop-policy-for-ghanaian-sign-language-in-education/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The government of Ghana has announced plans to create a comprehensive policy for incorporating Ghanaian Sign Language (GSL) into the country's educational system. Minister of Education Haruna Iddrisu revealed that the Ministry would work alongside stakeholders to formally acknowledge and integrate GSL, addressing a critical issue in deaf education in Ghana. He highlighted that GSL is not merely a means of communication for many deaf Ghanaians but a language that enables them to express themselves, establish their identity, and participate fully in society.\n\nThe government acknowledges the necessity for a robust policy framework to guide the development and application of GSL in education, ensuring alignment with Ghana's constitutional, legal, and international obligations. The policy will focus on eight key areas, including standardising and expanding GSL, developing relevant terminology, creating teaching and learning materials, and training certified sign language teachers and interpreters. It will also integrate sign language competencies into teacher education programs, ensure the recruitment and deployment of adequately trained personnel, establish accessible assessment practices, encourage bilingual and multilingual approaches to teaching deaf learners, and monitor learning outcomes systematically.\n\nThe Minister stressed that the recognition of GSL should lead to tangible educational opportunities and enhanced learning outcomes for deaf learners, rather than remaining a mere policy statement. He emphasized the importance of multilingual education, advocating for an approach that enables deaf learners to acquire strong foundational competencies in GSL while progressively gaining literacy in written English and other languages pertinent to their communities and educational paths. The Minister stressed the significance of participation in the learning process, asserting that success should be measured by deaf learners' ability to learn, read, communicate effectively, acquire numeracy and digital skills, progress through the education system, and gain skills for further education, employment, and independent living.",
  "summary": "The government has announced plans to develop a sustainable policy for the development and use of Ghanaian Sign Language (GSL) in the country’s education system.",
  "key_points": [
    "Ghanaian government to develop policy for Ghanaian Sign Language (GSL) in education.",
    "Minister Haruna Iddrisu to work with stakeholders for GSL integration.",
    "Policy to cover standardization, teaching materials, and teacher training."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "People Daily Kenya",
        "title": "Crystal Asige roots for Sign Language Bill amid deaf rights push",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/crystal-asige-roots-for-sign-language-bill-amid-deaf-rights-push",
        "published": "2026-09-27T10:41:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "Education Ministry moves to institutionalise Ghanaian Sign Language",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/education-ministry-moves-to-institutionalise-ghanaian-sign-language",
        "published": "2026-09-27T14:24:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}