A significant number of Ghanaians living with hearing impairment received about 60 free hearing aids valued at approximately GHS 500,000. 
The donation was made on Monday, 13 April 2026, through an initiative led by Dr Julitta Amponsah, an Australian-based Ghanaian audiologist, in partnership with the University of Ghana’s Department of Audiology, Speech and Language Therapy and the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
The donation addresses a critical gap in hearing healthcare across Africa. According to the World Health Organisation, approximately 40 million people in the African region live with hearing loss, a figure projected to reach 54 million by 2030. Yet only 10 per cent of those who need hearing aids have access to them.
In Ghana, where roughly 20 audiologists serve a population of over 35 million, the infrastructure challenge is acute.
Thus, the devices represent far more than amplification. They restore the ability to communicate, reconnect with loved ones, and participate fully in daily life. In Ghana, where the demand for hearing aids significantly outweighs availability, untreated hearing loss often leads to social isolation, reduced educational and economic opportunity, and diminished quality of life.
 

Among the beneficiaries is Samuel Kissi, a school teacher whose livelihood depends on clear communication.
“Before receiving the hearing aids, I struggled to hear my students clearly, especially in a noisy classroom,” he shared. “It affected how I taught and how confident I felt. I contemplated leaving the profession altogether. Now, I can hear their questions, their responses. This will completely change how I teach and how my students learn. It’s not just helping me, it’s helping every child in my classroom.”

For Dr Amponsah, audiology is more than a profession; it is a personal mission.
“Hearing loss doesn’t just affect the ear; it affects relationships, confidence, education, and opportunity,” she said. “I’ve seen how transformative the right intervention can be, and that’s what drives me to keep doing this work.”
The University of Ghana’s audiology department played a central role in patient selection, fitting, and ongoing care.

“Access to hearing aids remains one of the biggest challenges for our patients,” said Mrs Elsie Akosua Otuo-Acheampong. This donation allows us to immediately change lives while reinforcing the importance of ongoing audiological care.”