First Deaf Student Earns Master’s Degree at TTU in Historic Milestone

Andowa Ama Buabeng has made history at Takoradi Technical University (TTU) after becoming the first deaf student to graduate with a Master’s degree from a technical university in Ghana, earning her postgraduate qualification in Graphic Design.

Her achievement is being widely celebrated as a significant breakthrough for inclusive higher education in the country, highlighting the impact of equal access to learning opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Education stakeholders and government officials have praised her determination and resilience. Technical Adviser at the Ministry of Education, George Kweku Toku Oduro, described her success as a major milestone, noting that it reflects both personal perseverance and the effectiveness of inclusive educational policies.

He further explained that her accomplishment aligns with government initiatives such as the Free Tertiary Education policy for Persons with Disabilities, which seeks to remove financial barriers and expand access to higher education for qualified students.

Beyond her individual success, TTU continues to gain recognition for its academic progress, having been ranked the top technical university in Ghana in the AD Scientific Index 2025. University officials attribute this progress to a stable academic environment and strong leadership.

The institution has also made deliberate efforts to promote inclusive learning. Since establishing its disability support unit in 2018, more than 170 students with disabilities have benefited from various interventions, including scholarships, assistive technologies, sign language training, and flexible learning systems.

Vice-Chancellor John Frank Eshun reaffirmed the university’s commitment to ensuring that all students, regardless of physical ability, have the opportunity to succeed.

Speaking during TTU’s 26th Special Congregation, where over 2,000 students graduated, stakeholders emphasised the importance of inclusive education to national development. Graduates were encouraged to apply their knowledge to address societal challenges, drive innovation, and promote inclusion across different sectors.

Government representatives also reiterated ongoing efforts to ease financial burdens on students through initiatives such as the “No Fees Stress” policy, aimed at ensuring that economic challenges do not prevent qualified individuals from pursuing higher education.

Despite challenges like staffing constraints, university authorities remain optimistic, noting that steps are being taken to strengthen capacity as TTU continues to expand its academic programmes and competency-based training initiatives.