Court seeks sign language interpreter in defilement case

Accra, May 16, GNA - The gender-based violence court in Accra was on Monday confronted with the need for a sign language interpreter when a man, Mr Samuel Tetteh, was arraigned for defiling a six year-old girl.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ACP) Sarah Acquah, who is prosecuting the case, expressed her frustrations to the court, presided over by Justice Georgina Mensah Datsa.


ASP Acquah said ever since the case was reported to the Police they have not been able to question the accused adding: "We went to the School for the Deaf for an interpreter but they told us that we have to pay for the services".


He said that the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service had approached the Department of Social Welfare for assistance but to no avail.

ASP Acquah said the Unit was advised to approach the court to use its good services to find an interpreter.


The court has granted an order for the Ghana Association for the Deaf to provide an interpreter so that the case could continue.


The accused, who was accompanied to court by his mother, was granted a GH¢10,000 bail and the case was adjourned to June 1, 2011. When the mother of the accused was asked how she communicated with her son, she said she used sign language.