The Gambia Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (GADHOH), Barra Regional Branch, on Saturday, November 17, honoured Alhagie Tabora Manneh, Chief of Lower Niumi District, as their honourary father. The event was marked by a  colourful ceremony held at his residence in Barra.

Speaking at the ceremony, Fatou Sowe, Secretary General, Barra Regional Branch, gave an overview of GADHOH's aims and objectives, noting that the Barra branch came into existence early last year and has registered a membership of 125. She revealed that the said branch has already put in place a management committee with a fundamental mission to initiate and plan activities.

"These activities include training of members on sign languages, sensitisation awareness programmes on pandemic diseases such as HIV/Aids, among others, as well as raising awareness on problems these category of disabled persons are confronted with."
She commended their adopted father for his relentless support.

Dodou Loum, Executive Director of The Gambia Association of the deaf and hard of hearing (GADHOH), said his association is a charitable organisation working for the creation of a society in which deaf and hard of hearing people participate fully as citizens of the nation and enjoy all the benefits of a citizen on fair and equal basis.

He informed the gathering that GADHOH has now registered six hundred deaf and hard of hearing people countrywide with instituted branches in Barra, Farafenni, Soma, Brikama and Banjul administrative regions. 

According to him, the deaf find it difficult to communicate, but he noted that with the introduction of sign language initiatives, the deaf and hard of hearing can now communicate and participate fully in the development process of their country.

Commending Chief Tabora Manneh for his kind humanitarian assistance to the deaf in the region, the GADHOH boss appealed to the Information Secretary of State to employ sign language interpreters at the national television in a bid to enable the deaf to have equal access to information, notably national news.

Accepting the honour, Alhagie Tabora Manneh, Chief of Lower Niumi District, commended GADHOH for the trust and confidence bestowed on him. He described GADHOH as an association dedicated to the betterment of disabled persons.