Australian-Based Audiologist donates hearing aids to Ghanaians in need

Dr. Julitta Amponsah, an Australian-based Ghanaian audiologist, led an initiative that made a donation of about 60 free hearing aids valued at approximately GHS 500,000 on Monday, 13 April 2026, in Ghana. The donation was made in partnership with the University of Ghana's Department of Audiology, Speech and Language Therapy and the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Samuel Kissi, a school teacher and beneficiary, said, "Before receiving the hearing aids, I struggled to hear my students clearly, especially in a noisy classroom...Now, I can hear their questions, their responses."

The University of Ghana's audiology department played a central role in patient selection, fitting, and ongoing care. Mrs. Elsie Akosua Otuo-Acheampong said, "This donation allows us to immediately change lives while reinforcing the importance of ongoing audiological care." Korle Bu Teaching Hospital supported patient identification and provided the clinical environment for assessments and fittings. Dr. Ewurama Ampadu Owusu said, "Partnerships like this are essential in expanding access to specialised services like audiology." Prof. Samuel Antwi-Baffour urged recipients to care for their devices.

A larger initiative is expected to launch next year, with plans for scaled hearing aid distribution, community outreach and screening programmes, and training and capacity-building for local audiology professionals. Dr. Amponsah said, "It's the start of something bigger; building a system where hearing care is accessible, sustainable, and continuous. If we can restore hearing, we restore lives."