The School of Biological and Allied Health Sciences (SBAHS) at the University of Ghana has recently received a significant donation of seven Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices from the Australian High Commissioner to Ghana. These devices, including the Ablenet Jelly-bean switch, Ablenet Big Mack, Go-Talk, and other high-quality AAC devices, mark a pioneering addition to Ghana's resources in this field.
During a ceremony held to officially hand over the equipment, Dr. Awurama Owusu Ampadu, Head of the Department of Audiology, Speech and Language Therapy, warmly welcomed all attendees and expressed profound gratitude for this invaluable contribution. Dr. Ampadu recounted the collaborative journey leading to this achievement, acknowledging the instrumental role played by Ms. Josephine Ohenew Bampoe, a Project PI and PhD student studying in Australia.
"Ms. Bampoe's initiative sparked discussions on the necessity of AAC equipment in Ghana, ultimately resulting in the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between SBAHS and Bridge University, Australia. Special recognition was also given to the Dean of SBAHS for allocating space to set up the newly donated equipment." the Head of the Department revealed.
Professor Samuel Antwi-Baffour, Dean of the School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, reiterated the need for more partnerships and expressed keen interest in the collaboration and the $17,000 donation of AAC equipment. He commended Bridge Assistive for their support and emphasized the goal of bridging the communication gap through the effective use of AAC equipment to foster language efficiency and meaningful communication.
During the ceremony, Ms. Josephine Ohenew Bampoe delivered an enlightening presentation titled “The University of Ghana and Bridge Assistive Augmentative and Alternative Communication Project,” shedding light on the history of Speech Therapy in Ghana and the critical need for AAC supplies in the country.
Ambassador Berenice Owen-Jones of the Australian High Commission commended the School for its initiative and visible efforts to make AAC equipment available in Ghana. She emphasized the importance of AACs in promoting inclusiveness and supporting individuals with complex communication needs.
Prof. Julius Fobil, Provost of the College of Health Sciences (CHS), praised the Australian Ambassador for their assistance and pledged to deepen the partnership between the Australian Embassy and the College. He congratulated SBAHS for being selected as the recipient of the donation and pledged to effectively utilize the AAC devices to promote research and teaching within the University of Ghana.
Management of the College and the University expressed appreciation for the generous donation and reaffirmed their commitment to utilizing the AAC devices effectively to promote research and teaching within the institution.
