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Gambia: 'We Need More Sign Language Interpreters,' GADHOH Executive Director Laments
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FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda)
13 February 2008
Posted to the web 13 February 2008
Yaya Bajo
Mr. Dodou Loum, the Executive Director of Gambia Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (GADHOH), has lamented that the deaf community in The Gambia are depending on only four (4) sign language interpreters countrywide to facilitate communication between the deaf and the rest of the hearing population.
"We have only four sign language interpreters which the entire deaf community depend on and we therefore need more interpreters so that deaf people can easily share their views with health care providers in hospitals, teachers in schools and friends and colleagues in the society at large", he said. The GADHOH Executive Director made these remarks over the weekend while delivering his reports at the association's Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Girl Guide conference hall in Kanifing.
Speaking on the achievements of the association since its formation, Mr. Loum catalogued numerous development initiatives undertaken by the association which he described as laudable as they were all geared towards improving the conditions of their members. He said over the past years six (6) regional branches were established, namely Banjul, Brikama, Barra, Farafenni, Soma and Bwiam branches. He added that the association registered about 718 members and has, for the first time, a permanent head quarter which has close collaboration with government and non governmental organizations.
The association's Executive Director further said that GADHOH has established a national sign language which has been welcomed by all deaf people. He said the office staff also acquired numerous skills training on organizational management, which improve efficiency in their performance. He further reported that deaf people have developed and now have access to more information around the would. He said many of them have also acquired skills and participate in social activities and, most importantly, engage in intermarriage.
Delivering the opening remark, Mr. Lamin Ceesay, GADOHO Board President, called for more support to enable them finish work at their new head office. He expressed their resolve to continue working in the interest of the deaf community in the country which, according to him, has been estimated to be about 20,000. " We also want to embark on training of more sign language interpreters in the near future and secure more employment of our members", he said.
On the financial status of the association, the GADHOH external auditor reported that the association has an income of D483, 231.08 and expenditure of D448, 915.98 for the year 2007. She added that the balance at the bank as at end December, 2007 stood at D84, 558.13.
The meeting culminated into the election of the new executive and Mr. Abdoulie Njie was unanimously re-elected as the president of the association.
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GADHOH is a charitable organisation working for the creation of a society in which the deaf and hard of hearing people participate fully as citizens of the nation and enjoy all the benefits of such citizenship on a fair and equal basis.
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