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Gladys Love Amissah – the sign language professional inspiring others

Though many ridiculed her from the outset, those utterances did not deter her from abandoning a passion she had at the age of nine years.

She kept pushing, overcoming stigmatisation, and now, the passion has become a profession and an inspiration to many.

Ms Gladys Love Amissah, who interprets high Government encounters to the deaf community, wants to become the biggest female interpreter in Africa and the world.

This journey which looks somewhat smooth is riddled with challenges and to encourage those who look up to her, Love, who is a member of the Nsawam Road Branch of the Church of Christ, shared her amazing story with The Spectator

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She currently signs for high profile government engagements with the public, including presidential address, and the ongoing Ministry of Information press conferences to update Ghanaians on the novel coronavirus among others.

Background

She is Gladys Love Amissah but many people affectionately call her Love Amissah, she was born to Mr Prince Pasco-Amossah and Ms Alice Lartey.

“I have 15 Siblings, six males and nine females,” she noted.

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Ms Love works at the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs as the Chief Director’s secretary.

“Growing up I wanted to be a nurse, but I realised I was afraid of blood so I diverted to pursue a course in secretaryship, and that is how I became a professional secretary,” she said.

Passion for signing

Her passion for signing was discovered at age nine, when she started developing interest in sign language.

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The interest kept growing stronger anytime Love saw her pastor sign to the congregation at the Church of Christ.

Following this, she opened up to her mother about it, who later told Pastor Sam Williams, of the Deaf Ministry of their church of her daughter’s interest.

She was then made to learn the sign language, and through the teachings and other personal interactions with some deaf people the passion kept growing stronger to what it is now.

Education

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She started her educational journey at the University Primary School at Winneba in the Central Region for her basic education and completed Junior High School at the Methodist 2 JHS at Adabraka in Accra.

Love continued to Breman Asikuma Senior High School, where she read Arts including Literature in English. According to her, she disliked French at the time, and would frown anytime the teacher entered the class.

Sharing some fond memories, Love revealed that she had no nickname, but students used her middle name, Pasco, her father’s name, to call her.

“Most of them didn’t know it was my real name,” she disclosed.

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“I did Bachelor of Science course in Business Administration at Green Hill, GIMPA, and later did Diploma in Sign Language at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) and also a Certificate in Sign Language at KNUTSFORD University College at East Legon in Accra.

Challenges

According to her, the only time a challenge would be easily overcome, is when there is strong interest and determination.

She made some shocking revelation that when she started, most people were saying “If I continue signing I will go deaf, but that didn’t deter me from learning it.”

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Television Assignment

Interestingly, she revealed to this paper that, her first television assignment was a disappointment.

“My first assignment on TV was a Meet-The-Press and I flopped “basaaaa”, I didn’t know l should look into the camera, I was just looking around and when I finished people started teaching me how to behave when on set. I must say that since then, it has improved

“Sincerely, when I started signing for the first gentleman of the land, the President, people started insulting me and saying, this woman wears only one dress every time. I laughed because they did not know the ethics governing my profession,” she said.

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According to her, due to the nature of their profession, they mostly wear plain dresses anytime they are signing on set.

Touching on her relationship with the deaf community, she said, “It is very great because, anytime I finish with my assignment I send them messages to know if they understood the interpretation.”

Future and advice

Ms Love Amissah wants to impact more lives globally and inspire others in the profession.

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“I would like to encourage everyone to take his or her profession serious and be focused.”

Favourite food

Love’s favourite food is Jollof rice with some beverages and loves going out with her family or sleep at her leisure.

Acknowledgement

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She expressed appreciation to the Ghana National Association of the Deaf (GNAD) who organised many workshops for them to better their signing and paid her tuition fees and feeding at University of Cape Coast for two (2) years and further expressed her appreciation to “Church of Christ members for their encouragement, especially her mother, Madam Alice Lartey, and Mrs Diana Amissah, her sister in-law.

Others are Mr Bright Yaw Tiyaa, Mr Emmanuel Osei-Owusu, Mr Yaw Tettevi, Chief Director, Dr Evans Aggrey-Darkoh and all the staff at Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, National Association of Ghanaian Sign Language Interpreters and the Pasco-Amissah family.”

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme

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Prisca Abah: Ghana’s modelling powerhouse

 Ghanaian model, philanthropist and ad­vocate, Prisca Abah, who is known for her contributions to the fashion indus­try, is strutting her stuff on higher levels.

She was recently selected as one of the models for the Big8 Girls Project, an initia­tive by Clinton Samuel to celebrate influen­tial African models.

The project consisted of three episodes: the Bio Shoot which highlighted Abah’s professionalism through a corporate-themed photoshoot; Afrodeity which focused on showcasing her confidence and artistry, celebrating the African divine feminine and royalty which presented Abah as a symbol of African cultural pride, embodying strength and elegance.

The Big8 concept, produced by Clinton Samuel, intentionally highlights and cele­brates the strongest and most influential models on the African continent, congratu­lating their steadfastness and contributions to the African fashion industry, even as they grind and win in other aspects of life.

The Big8 sets hierarchy and high standards in the African fashion and modelling industry, crowning eight of them with the ‘Top Model’ status as the leading female models in Ghana at the moment.

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“Working with these fiery women will sure­ly ignite more creative minds and stir the pot of positive competition,” said Clinton.

Abah’s early life and career

Prisca Abah began her modelling career in 2013, achieving her first notable milestone in 2014 with an editorial shoot for 5-Star International Modelling Agency. In 2015, she made her runway debut at the Ghana Fashion Awards.

From 2016 to 2018, Abah participated in major African fashion events such as Glitz Africa Fashion Week, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Johannesburg, and Rhythms on the Runway.

During this period, she received acco­lades, including the “Best Female Model of the Year” and spoke as a UN Ambassador for Sustainable Development Goal 12 at the Sustainable Rice Platform Conference.

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International recognition and pageantry

In 2022, Abah expanded her reach by entering the pageantry world. She placed as the first runner- up at the Beauty of Africa International Pageant and represented Ghana at the Miss Globe World Finals, where she earned the title of Miss Globe Africa 2022.

Philanthropy

Abah founded the Palins Founda­tion, a non-profit organisation, aimed at empowering women and youth through initiatives in education, skills training, and personal development.

Awards and collaborations

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In 2023, Abah received the Best Model of the Year award at the Time Ghana Arts and Entertain­ment Awards. She has collaborat­ed with leading designers such as Charlotte Prive and Ejiro Amos Tafiri, further solidifying her influence in African fashion.

Legacy

Prisca Abah is recognised not only for her contribu­tions to the fashion industry but also for her philanthropic efforts. Her journey serves as an inspiration to young Africans, encouraging them to pursue their dreams while giving back to society.  

By Edem Mensah Tsortorme

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Juventus Duorinaah, Ghana’s first deaf Lawyer

• Juventus Duorinaah Esq.
• Juventus Duorinaah Esq.

 In a landmark moment for Ghana’s legal landscape, Juventus Duorinaah Esq., has etched his name in histo­ry as the country’s first lawyer with a hearing impairment.

His journey from a humble back­ground to breaking barriers in the legal profession serves as a powerful inspiration for countless individuals in the disability community, proving that determination and resilience can defy societal expectations and create path­ways to success.

For Juventus, the recognition as Gha­na’s first deaf lawyer feels surreal.

“It feels like a dream,” he reflects, acknowledging the stereotypes sur­rounding deafness and the humble background from which he hails.

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Juventus’ passion for law sparked in 2008 while seeking admission to the University of Ghana (UG). Although he initially faced challenges due to the nature of the application process, the help of his older brother and his deter­mined spirit led him to pursue a Bache­lor of Arts degree in 2012, followed by a Master of Laws at Cardiff University in 2014.

His passion for the study of law became highly intense when he had to study alongside qualified lawyers from several jurisdictions, even though he did not have a legal background. Here, he faced the unique challenge of study­ing without sign language interpreters, relying instead on a palantypist to tran­scribe lectures.

Juventus’ role model was his profes­sor and mentor, Professor Luke Clem­ent, who profoundly inspired him in shaping his understanding of law and human rights.

He remembers Prof. Thomas Stephens from the University of Ghana School Of Law, who inspired him with his way of dressing, in-depth knowledge of the law and engagement with students.

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He recounts the enormous challenges he encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when lectures moved online, and Dr Stephen’s tremendous support to ensure things moved quickly and smoothly for him.

“I also had the chance to have a few classes with the Dean himself, Prof. Raymond Atuguba. He taught the course such that some of us never felt scared as other lecturers made the course,’ he recalled.

Juventu’s academic journey was fraught with challenges, particularly in communication.

The year 2007 was the last time he studied with deaf peers. He was of­ten the only deaf person in his classes throughout the following years of his education, which made interaction with peers difficult.

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Despite these hurdles, he remained high-spirited, studying late into the night and seeking help from kind class­mates when necessary.

Reflecting on his academic experience at UG, he connected his affection for the university to his older brother, who is also an alumnus. He felt inspired to be a student of the premier university, saying he would choose the University of Ghana any time, any day, if given the chance to further his studies or work.

The University Of Ghana School Of Law, along with its Dean, Professor Raymond Atuguba, the Director of Legal Education of the Ghana School of Law, Yaw Bramiah Oppong, and his capable team, including the Registrar and Depu­ty Registrar of the Ghana School of Law and the Office for Students with Special Needs (UG), made significant contribu­tions to his journey.

Prof. Atuguba acknowledged Juven­tus’ achievement as evidence of the university’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

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Commenting on how the school accommodated his special needs, Prof. Atugugba explained that ‘In the case of Juventus, we worked closely with him to understand and address his special needs, ensuring he had access to the teaching and learning resources in the appropriate formats that would support his academic journey.

Professor Atuguba noted that Juven­tus’s journey is just beginning, and the future holds promise for him and the many lives he aims to touch along the way.

Juventus’s close friend, Ida Esi McOw­usu Esq., described her first encounter with Juventus as ‘intriguing.’ “My first meeting with Juventus was in class, where he sat right in front of me in first year,” Ida reveals. She was intrigued and wanted to find out more about him, especially how Juventus navigated his way to this level. “I got closer and we became friends from there,” she remarked.

Mr Francis Kweku Essel, Juventus’ interpreter, shed light on the primary challenges he faced in carrying out his job, particularly the complex nature of legal terminology and concepts. This validates Ida’s comment on the inter­preters’ lack of legal background as a challenge Lawyer Duorinaah encoun­tred.

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Juventus dreams of becoming a judge and aims to enhance justice delivery while serving as a role model for young people with disabilities.

He is currently mentoring a group of young deaf students interested in pursuing law, hoping to pave the way for future generations. What’s next for Lawyer Juventus? His next step is to complete his pupilage, after which he can decide further his legal career.

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