Adjei Kojo (near Ashaiman, Tema), July 25, GNA – The Tetteh Ocloo State School for the Deaf has honoured its founder, Dr Seth Lawrence Tetteh-Ocloo, who chalked 90 years last April 19, with the celebration of a Founder’s Day.
“Through his life and work, he has helped deaf people to get an education, find jobs and establish their lives her in Ghana and abroad,” a citation read in honour of the Founder, who was also described as Educator, Mentor, Inspiration and Model, said.
It added: “He has served as an inspiration to the deaf community in Ghana and abroad, and to all Ghanaians in general. He has shown how we can raise others up to achieve their maximum potential.”
The nonagenarian, sitting in a wheelchair was assisted by wife, children, grandchildren; staff and pupils of the school he founded in 1966, to move forward onto the paved school yard at Adjei Kojo, Ashaiman, near Tema to be hailed for founding the school.
Among the dignitaries was Nii Adjetey Adjeifio, the Chief of Adjei Kojo.
As Happy Birthday songs were played, the inspired and excited assembly could not help clapping and taking pictures of the man, who defied meningitis that rendered him deaf and unable to walk, to go through a bachelor’s degree to a doctorate.
And when, almost all was done, Dr Tetteh-Ocloo, said: “God bless each one of you. All I can say now is Thank you, my Lord.
He made a request: that the Christian song, “Amazing Love” should be sung and played at his funeral on his death.
The School for the Deaf, founded by Seth Tetteh-Ocloo was the first school for the deaf established and funded by the Government of Ghana.
“Today, we honour the Founder of the Tetteh-Ocloo State School for Deaf and thank God for his life and work,” a citation titled “The Life and Times of Seth Tetteh-Ocloo” read by the grandchildren said.
The citation added: “Today on Founder’s Day, we celebrate the man who had the vision, education and drive to find the first State School for the Deaf in Ghana: Dr Seth Lawrence Tetteh-Ocloo.
“This first state school for the deaf renamed for the Founder as Tetteh-Ocloo State School for the Deaf is now located at Adjei Kodjo, a suburb of Tema.
“His wife Mrs Elizabeth Tetteh Ocloo, a trained and dedicated teacher of the deaf was chosen by the Ministry of Education to lead his new School for the Deaf as its headmistress.”
“The first State School for the Deaf in Ghana relocated to Teshie. Finally, the State School for the Deaf acquired land in Adjei Kojo from the Tema Development Corporation and built this school where we are all gathered here today,” the citation said.
The celebration also recognised Dr Tetteh-Ocloo, when as Rehabilitation Officer at the Department of Social Welfare, who “combed the whole of Ghana in efforts to find job placement for scores of deaf school graduates.
“He founded the Ghana National Association of the Deaf to counter apathy in the Ghanaian society towards the deaf.”
Wife Elizabeth could not hide her joy at the celebration of her husband for founding the school for which Ghana’s First former First Lady Fathia Nkrumah became patron.
“She loved the children very much,” Mrs Tetteh Ocloo said, adding, “my husband’s effort has gone to show that the deaf can do anything.
Mr Isaac Arthur, the Headmaster of the school, praised the founder for his foresight.
“This is a very good work that the Founder has done,” Mr Arthur said.
He appealed for assistance for more building structures for the school to take care of the newly introduced vocational programmes-hairdressing, catering and carpentry- after the already existing Pre-school and Basic Education levels at the school.
He said the girls’ dormitory also needs a facelift.
Madam Mahala Narh, Greater Accra Regional Special Education Co-ordinator, praised the founder for his sacrifices that had brought the school, and advised that money should not be the sole determinant in service.
There were presentations from the Ghana Education Service, the Ministry of Education, management, staff and pupils of the school and other well-wishers.
GNA