Enhancing Inclusive Education through Ghanaian Sign Language (GhSL), Artificial Intelligence, and Creative Learning for the Deaf in Ghana

Deaf and hard-of-hearing students in Ghana face major barriers to inclusive and quality education despite national and international commitments such as Ghana’s Inclusive Education Policy (2015) and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The lack of Ghanaian Sign Language (GhSL) in the national curriculum, inadequate teacher training, and limited technological resources have excluded many of the estimated 110,000 deaf individuals from equitable learning and participation. This three-year project (2026–2028) seeks to transform inclusive education in Ghana by integrating GhSL into the national curriculum, building teacher capacity, and promoting access to science, technology, and creative learning for deaf students. The goal is to enhance educational equity and participation through innovation, capacity building, and policy integration, aligning with Ghana’s Inclusive Education Policy and Sustainable Development Goal 4. The project’s key objectives are to integrate GhSL into the national curriculum and advocate for its recognition as a national language, develop an AI-powered GhSL translation tool for schools and public use, train and certify 200 teachers in inclusive pedagogy and GhSL proficiency, expand Abacus and STEM competitions to all 17 schools for the Deaf, introduce robotics, art, and sports mentorship programs, and establish local and international exchange programs for deaf students. Implementation will begin at the Demonstration School for the Deaf in Mampong Akuapem and expand to all 17 deaf schools nationwide. The project will directly benefit about 500 deaf students and 200 teachers, with indirect benefits for families, policymakers, and the wider community.The total estimated cost is USD 485,000, allocated as follows: Curriculum Integration & Policy Advocacy (80,000), AI Translation Tool (120,000), Teacher Training & Certification (100,000), Abacus & STEM Competitions (100,000), Robotics, Art & Sports Mentorship (55,000), Exchange Programs (30,000), Monitoring & Evaluation (50,000), and Administration & Overheads (30,000). Over 80% of funds will directly support implementation. By 2028, the project will deliver a nationally adopted GhSL curriculum, an operational AI translation tool, 200 certified inclusive teachers, and active Abacus, STEM, and mentorship programs in all schools for the Deaf. These outcomes will establish a sustainable foundation for inclusive, equitable, and technology-driven education for deaf learners across Ghana.