Ghanaian MPs Worried About Extinction Of Local Languages

Ghanaian lawmakers have called for immediate measures to preserve local languages which are on the verge of extinction.

According to them the level of teaching and learning of local languages in schools across the country have reduced drastically hence the need for a conscious effort on the part of all stakeholders especcialy the Ghana Education Service for their preservation since they represent the culture and identity of the country.

The MPs were united in their call for local languages to be used at the basic and even at the Secondary schools to promote the languages and bring proper understanding to the various subjects.

They belive that just like the Asia Tigers, it should be possible for science subjects including chemistry to be taught in the local languages.

The Members of Parliament made the call on the floor of Parliament Thursday February 15, 2024 in a contribution to a statement made by Second Deputy Minority Leader and MP for Ellembele, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah calling for the promotion and preservation of the Nzema Language.

Mr Buah in the statement noted that the Nzema language was one of the 11 local languages in the curriculum of the basic and senior high school levels and was examinable.

Unfortunately, despite the high level of development of the language, interest in the teaching and learning of the language in the country’s educational institutions has waned drastically.

The Ellembele MP called for the inclusion of Nzema Language in the curriculum of Colleges of Education in the Western Region to train teachers of Nzema for Nzema schools.

The former Energy minister revealed that key contributing fsctor to the disinterest in the learning of the language is the lack of qualified teachers of Nzema at the basic level which is the foundation-building stage in the language learning process.

“…Things are not working because, the University of Education, Ajumako campus, produces only a handful of qualified graduates in the language every year which is not enough for the numerous schools. Even the few graduates who pass out have not been employed and are at home” he said.

Action On Statement

To ensure that, central goverment responds the the concerns raised the lawamkerds, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has referred the staement to the committees on Education, Culture, Tourism and Finance for a decision to be taken.

The referral is to enable the Ghana Education Service to embrace the concept of using the language at the basic schools or the lower primary, promote the Ghanaian culture and tourism and look at the financial considerations

Parliament To Use Languages

As part of its contribution towards promoting the use of local languages, the Speaker has announced the necessary facilities are being put in place including translators and the appropriate gadgets for a smooth take-off in the next Meeting of Parliament.

By: Christian Kpesese