Gambia hard up for interpreters
Well…perhaps not exactly as stated…but almost!
The Executive Director of G.A.D.H.O.H. (Gambia Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) Mr Dodou Loum has bitterly complained that there are only four sign language interpreters in the whole country to aid in the communication between the deaf and the remainder of the hearing population.
Mr Loum bemoaned the fact that many more interpreters are needed in order that the deaf could more easily express their needs, wants and opinions to Health Care Providers, Teachers, Authorities and colleagues etc. He made the comments at the G.A.D.H.O.H Annual General Meeting held at the Girl Guide conference hall in Kanifing, late last week.
Lauding the achievements of his organisation thus far, Mr Loum listed various key targets that had been achieved. Amongst these were the successful opening of six regional branches in Banjul, Brikama, Barra, Farafenni, Soma and Bwiam; the registration of 718 members countrywide and the achievement of establishing a permanent headquarters as a primary point of liaison between the organisation and the Government.
At the same meeting the association’s Executive Director further said that GADHOH’s biggest achievement had been to establish a national sign language and called for further Government funding, for the establishment of teaching schools to increase the number of sign language interpreters and for wider utilisation of and employment for its members.
The meeting ended with a vote on the election of a new Executive for the association; Mr. Abdoulie Njie was unanimously re-elected.