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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Aspire Educational Com­plex in Koforidua recently concluded its Literacy Month, which began in November, with an exciting event dubbed ‘Costume Craze: Rep Your Favourite Book Character Day.’

The celebration saw both learn­ers and teachers showcase their creativity by dressing as popular characters from books, cartoons, and traditional folklore.

Costumes ranged from Captain America, Snow White, Princess Elsa, and Spiderman to tradition­al icons like Kwaku Ananse and Ntikuma.

The event began with a lively red-carpet walk, where learners proudly displayed their cho­sen charac­ters.

A key highlight of the day was a drama per­formance based on ‘The Di­lemma of a Ghost,’ a story exploring cultural identity and challenges faced by an African American student who marries a ‘white’ woman and introduces her to traditional Afri­can customs.

The performance emphasised the importance of understanding and embracing cultural diversity.

Learners were also introduced to proper table manners during a delightful con­tinental dinner, and engaged in photo shoots to capture mem­ories of the special day.

Mrs Regina An­komah Mensah, Head of the Pre- School Depart­ment, explained that the event was part of the school’s Literacy Month, aimed at fostering a love for reading and learning among students.

She highlighted that the initiative aligned with UNE­SCO’s Internation­al Literacy Day, celebrated annu­ally on September 8, to promote reading, writing, and effective communication.

Aspire Educational Complex ded­icated the entire month of Novem­ber to literacy under the theme: ‘Reading Every Day Takes Illiteracy Away.’

Activities included a book fair encouraging students to purchase and read books, the “Get Caught Reading Everywhere” campaign with the slogan “Dear Time” (Drop Everything and Read), and creative competitions such as a Colour Spelling Bee and Text Reading Challenge.

The Nana Affum Mireku Founda­tion has donated GH¢ 10,000 towards the maiden Sickle Cell Week celebration in Kwahu.

The gesture was to support the fight against the sickle cell disease and raise awareness about the condition, promote education, and provide support to those living with it.

The week-long celebration, led by Philomena Frimpong, a Senior Nursing Officer at the Paediatrics Department of the Kwahu Govern­ment Hospital, brought together key stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, community leaders, youth, advocates, and residents.

The event highlighted the impor­tance of early detection, proper management, and the need to break the stigma surrounding sickle cell disease.

Activities commenced with an en­gaging opening ceremony, followed by a vibrant health walk through the streets of Kwahu, uniting par­ticipants under the shared cause of raising awareness.

A blood donation exercise was also organised to support individuals in need of blood, as it remains a vital aspect of managing sickle cell-relat­ed health crises.

Also, healthcare professionals provided free medical screenings to identify potential cases and offered detailed educational sessions on the condition. These sessions addressed common myths and misconceptions, equipping participants with knowl­edge about preventive measures, proper care practices, and the importance of regular health check-ups.

Commenting on the initiative, Ms Frimpong said “This support is a bea­con of hope for our community. It demonstrates that collective efforts can make a difference in tackling the challenges posed by the sickle cell disease,” she noted.

Speaking at the ceremony, Exec­utive Director of the Foundation, Sandra Mireku underscored the Foun­dation’s commitment to impacting lives and communities.

“We at the Nana Affum Mireku Foundation are thrilled to support such a laudable initiative. By raising awareness and providing resources, we believe we can change the narra­tive, enhance care for those affect­ed, and empower families to seek timely medical attention,” she said.

The Nana Affum Mireku Founda­tion also called on other leaders, organisations, and philanthropists to join the cause by investing in com­munity-driven initiatives that tackle health challenges like sickle cell disease.

• Ms Mireku presenting a dummy cheque to a representstive of the hospital

Regent University holds 18th graduation ceremony

REGENT University College of Science and Technology has held its 18th graduation ceremony with a call on students to be agents of change.

A total of 210 graduates received their degrees, comprising 178 un­dergraduates and 32 postgraduates, who completed various programmes in fields such as law, energy and sus­tainability, theology, business admin­istration, and more.

Professor Emmanuel Kingsley Kwabena Larbi, founder of the col­lege, said the purpose of education is to empower an individual to help improve his or her immediate envi­ronment and beyond.

Professor Larbi noted that such qualities were indispensable to the country’s quest to achieve food security, restore its vanishing natural resources, and chalk socio-econom­ic progress on the whole.

He charged the graduates to be among those who see their certifi­cates as a means to a greater end, saying “be the eye of those who have lost their sense of purpose; be the mouth of those who cannot speak for themselves.”

In a speech read on behalf of the Minister for Education, Dr Yaw Adut­wum, Dr Tina Abrefa Gyan, Deputy Director General, Commission for TVET, emphasised the significance of education in unlocking human potential.

Dr Gyan challenged universities to inspire students to think critically, act with integrity, and embrace their responsibilities as global citizens.

In his address, the President of Regent, Nana Yaw Boadi Appiah, commended the graduating class for their perseverance.

In attendance were members of the University Council, management, faculty, and administrative staff.

Also present were friends and fam­ily of the graduating class, alumni, and students, representatives from affiliate universities and partners, as well as distinguished guests from government, business, and tradition­al leadership. –GNA