THE LINGUISTIC
SITUATION IN GHANA
Yvonne Agbetsoamedo
University of Ghana, Legon
[email protected]\[email protected]
Language distribution
Groups
Region(s)
Language(s)
Akan
Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo,
Eastern and Central
regions
Agona, Akuapem Twi, Akyem,
Asante Twi, Brong, Fante, Kwahu and Wasa
Mabia
Northern Region, Upper
East, Upper West Region
Dagbane, Dagaare , Gurenne , Kusaal,
Mampruli, Buli , Waale, Talni , Birifor),
Nanuni, Nabit , Konni, and Hanga-Kamara
Gbe
Volta region
Ewe (dominant), Fon, Aja and Mina
Ga- Adangme
Greater Accra and Eastern
regions
Ga and Dangbe (Ada, Shai and Krobo)
Language distribution
Groups
Region(s)
Language(s)
Gurma
North-eastern border with
Togo
Konkomba, Moba and Bassari
Guang
Distributed around areas in the Gonja, Gichode, Nchumburu, Krachi,
Northern, Brong-Ahafo, Volta, Nawuri,
Central and Eastern regions
Nkonya, Cherepong, Awutu and Effutu
Nzema
Northern Region bordering
Togo while the rest are in the
Western region
Nzema, Sehwi, Anyi (Aowin), Ahanta and
Anufo (Chakosi)
Grusi
Upper-East, Upper-West and
Northern
Kasem, Isaaleng, Chakali, Tampulma,
Vagla and Mo
Language distribution
Groups
Region(s)
Language(s)
Buem
northern part of the Volta
region, concentrating around
the town of Jasikan
Adele, Lelemi, Bowiri, Sekpele, Siwu,
Selee, Logba and Avatime
Nafaanra
the western end of the BrongAhafo region, bordering Cote
d'Ivoire.
Nkuraeng, Nafaanra and Ntrubo-Chala
Other African
Languages
Northern Nigeria and Niger
and Zongo areas in Ghana
other West African languages spoken
in Ghana such as the Chadic language,
Hausa, and some Mande languages (Ligbi
and Bisa)
The Ghanaian Educational System
 Kindergarten
 Primary school
 Junior High School
 Senior High School
 University (Undergraduate)
Language policy in education
 Bilingual education in Ghana commenced with the inception
of formal education in Ghana which began with the castle
schools and was later continued by the Christian missionaries.
The languages used were those of the home country (the
metropolitan languages).
Portuguese, Dutch, Danish and English were used as media of
instruction wherever and whenever the Portuguese, the Dutch,
the Danes and the English respectively were in power.
 The situation, however, changed with the arrival of the
missionaries, who resorted to the development of the local
languages in both their educational and proselytizing efforts.
 The Basel and Bremen missionaries were more successful in
this area than the Wesleyans.
 Between 1925 and 2002, there had been a lot of changes in the
Language policy in education.
A diagrammatic representation of the policy from the pre-colonial
era to the present (1529-2002) Owu-Ewie (2004)
PERIOD
1ST YEAR
2ND YEAR
3RD YEAR
4TH YEAR
1529-1925
a. Castle Schools Era
-
-
-
-
b. Missionary Era
+
+
+
-
1925-1951
+
+
+
-
1951- 1955
+
-
-
-
1956- 1966
-
-
-
-
1967- 1969
+
-
-
-
1970- 1973
+
+
+
+
1974-2002 (Sept)
+
+
+
-
Present
-
-
-
-
The policy since 2007 to date
 Nine Ghanaian languages are used as media of instruction at
the lower primary level, that is from class one to three.
 The languages are Akan (Fante and Twi), Nzema, Ga, Ga –
Adangbe, Ewe, Gonja, Kasem, Dagbani, and Dagaare.
 Ghanaian language is taught as a subject at the upper primary
to the university level.
Language use in the media
 They include radio, television stations, newspaper and social
media.
 There is a blend of English and the local language in radio
broadcasting.
 On TV however, the dominant language is English.
 In the print media, English dominates to a very large extent.
 More often than not, people communicate with English on
social media.
References
 Agbedor, P. K. 1994. “Language Planning for National Development: The Case of
Ghana.” Unpublished PhD thesis. University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Ameyaw-Akumfi, C. (2002, May 17). English only, no more vernacular. People’s Daily
Graphic. Accra, Ghana. Retrieved on May 18, 2002 from ghanaweb.com.
 Ameyaw-Akumfi, C. (2002, July 16). New language policy for primary and basic
education. The Statesman. Accra, Ghana. P. A7.
 Ameyaw-Akumfi, C. (2002, August 29).Government approves new language policy.
Accra Mail. Accra, Ghana. Retrieved on August 30, 2002 from ghanaweb.com.
 Andoh-Kumi, K. (1994). Topics in Ghanaian language education (Unpublished).
 Gbedemah, F. K. K. (1975). Alternative language policies for Education in Ghana. New
York: Vantage Press.
 Owu-Ewie, C. (2003). Improving mother tongue education in Ghana at the lower primary
level (P1-P3): A study of schools in Shama Ahanta East Metropolitan Assembly in Ghana.
MA Thesis: Ohio University.