The Ghana National Association of the Deaf wants the government to engage sign language interpreters in government agencies to assist its members.

President of the Association, Emmanuel Sackey, said the absence of such support, especially in hospitals, courts and other places makes access to services difficult for persons with hearing impairment.

He said he struggles to understand why even the Legislature has no interpreters to transmit proceedings to hearing impaired persons.

Mr. Sackey spoke through the Association’s National Sign Language Interpreter, Robert Frimpong Manso.

Mr. Sackey also raised issues about lack of school for the deaf in Ghana, besides the only one at Akropong in the Eastern Region.

The Association is marking its 50^th anniversary in Kumasi, Ashanti Region capital, where representatives from 102 districts in all ten regions have gathered.

Activities for the occasion include the National Deaf Soccer Gala.

 Mr. Sackey says the competition is proof that hearing impaired persons are capable of playing even for the national teams.