DeafCanTalk is giving Ghanaians with hearing loss a voice—thanks to AI 🧏‍♂️📱

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Launched in 2021, DeafCanTalk is an AI-powered mobile app designed to break down communication barriers between deaf and hearing individuals in Ghana. The app is the brainchild of three young innovators who saw a pressing need for inclusion—and decided to do something about it.

It started with a communication gap 🤝

The story begins in 2020 when Ike Agyei Mensah, a sign language interpreter, realized that his deaf friend hadn’t been informed about the COVID-19 pandemic. That moment of disconnect sparked a mission. Ike teamed up with Bejal Joshi and Victor Wealth-Adankai, and together they built DeafCanTalk, with support from the UNICEF StartUp Lab.

Their goal? To provide practical tools that empower deaf individuals to engage more fully with the world around them. At its core, the app uses artificial intelligence to convert spoken words into text in real time. It also includes sign language lessons and connects users to certified interpreters.

How DeafCanTalk works ⚙️

Users simply download the app on their smartphone and enable the microphone. As someone speaks, the AI transcribes the conversation live into on-screen text. Need to reply? Users can type a message, which the app reads out loud using built-in text-to-speech.

For more formal situations—like medical appointments or government calls—the app offers a feature to book a professional interpreter. It also includes a learning section to help users (or their loved ones) pick up the basics of sign language. Everything is designed to be intuitive and accessible, even for users who aren’t tech-savvy.

Designed with inclusion at its core ♿

More than just a communication tool, DeafCanTalk aims to enhance daily life for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. One standout feature is Deaf-Care, a personalized support service tailored to users’ individual needs. The app also facilitates access to healthcare via telemedicine, enabling smoother conversations with doctors and nurses.

The team is also looking beyond the app, exploring ways to support deaf individuals in the workplace. Inclusive employment programs are currently in the works, with the goal of creating meaningful, accessible job opportunities.

A promising project still gaining momentum 🚀

Since its official launch in June 2021, DeafCanTalk has been downloaded over 1,000 times on the Google Play Store and counts around 87 active users. The numbers may be modest, but the impact is real. And the team isn’t slowing down—they’re already working on features like real-time voice-to-sign language translation (and vice versa).

With DeafCanTalk, inclusion isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a mission. This Ghanaian innovation shows how technology can amplify human connection and dignity. And with the right support, it’s the kind of solution that could scale across the continent.

What do you think !?
Should more countries in Africa be building tech like DeafCanTalk?
👉 Drop your thoughts in the comments !