Ghana National Association of the Deaf (GNAD) on Thursday, 14th November 2025, held a Capacity Building Training for District Leaders at Wa Municipal Assembly Hall. The Theme of their Engagement was “Building Sustainable Deaf Organizations through leaders Training”. Facilitated by Lawyer Juventus Duorinaah, The National Executive Director.

A Special Guest of Honor, Madam Lilian Kpelle who is the Upper West Regional Director of Social Welfare Urged The Association to be united and take advantage of government policies to improve themselves.

She also used the opportunity to advocate for the association to liaise with Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) in order to get licenses for those of them using vehicles and motorbikes adding that a symbol or sign should also be placed on their vehicles to project an indication that they are disabled (Deaf) in order for road Users to be aware of their condition.

Today’s Training – 13th November 2025

According to Lawyer Juventus Duorinaah, National Executive Director of Ghana National Association of the Deaf (GNAD) in Summary:

1.The Association was Established for the deaf, if there is an issue you need to contact the regional level not national per our guidelines.

2. 29 years of Existence, GNAD started with volunteers, some left afterwards. We have students who are part of the Association.

3.Mostly, District level executives wait for 3% from Assembly common fund. We’re Not proactive, let’s not wait for monies only.

4.With regards to Conflicts, finance officer have misunderstandings with other Let’s advocate and bring others onboard and also try Solving conflicts

5.Death people are mostly teachers with some working at construction sites. Previously that wasn’t the case so we are all improving.

6.Previously deaf people weren’t permitted to drive but because of advocacy we now have death people riding in town and driving. Previously, if you’re deaf and riding they’ll arrest you

7.We are people of common goal.We want to have equal opportunities like those who can hear.We don’t want discrimination.

8.We want equal access to social amenities

9.Previously the limit of Deaf people was JHS, now we move into universities, it was difficult to see them at college.

10.Through advocacy we are able to partner with non profit organizations helping us.

11.If one of us goes to National Communication Authority (NCA) they can turn him away but if we are Many We can get what We want.

12.Not using the right channel of communication will deny you(Members of the Association)opportunities

13.In June 2025, there was a Meeting on plans to establish jobs for people, because most death people have no Jobs.

14.Without being part of the association you can’t get Some Opportunities, regional or district executives will have to plan a budget before they receive their portions of common fund from the Various Assemblies.

15.Health Insurance is free for the Deaf Persons.

16.We are from families with people who can communicate so we are sidelined, very few of us have more than one deaf persons in our families.

17.Some of us have resorted to selling Groundnuts and other things which is good

18.Going to Institutions we need interpreters it’s difficult to communicate at government institutions.

19.This Association (GNAD) is opened for all, the old, the young.

20.We are working with DVLA to ensure they provide a symbol on our vehicles to indicate our disability status.

21.We had a demonstration holding placards which sent our message Accross so Associations like ours is very important.

Juventus Duorinaah
Executive Director GNAD

0541253923 WhatsApp
Upper West Regional President

Testimonies of Members(Benefits they derived from Joining the Association)

A member has benefited from a workshop training program.

The association has also helped one to source funds from Assembly’s Common Fund to fund his education.

The association supports people during funerals and Naming Ceremonies

Source: Upper West Media App