Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Catherine Ablema Afeku has reiterated the need for Ghanaians to value local languages and speak them with their children.
According to her, speaking of local languages bind and for those living in the diaspora, the language makes them different from other Africans who cannot communicate in their mother tongues.
Mrs Afeku made these points at this year’s International Mother Tongue Day Celebration organized by the Bureau of Ghana Languages (BGL) in Accra.
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Speaking on the theme “Linguistic Diversity and Multilingualism Count for Sustainable Development”, the Tourism Minister encouraged Ghanaians to develop interest in learning their languages and teaching their children during infancy.
This, she observes, will help to develop a sense of belonging and respect for their culture at early ages.
“English is part of our language now but it’s important that we take a close look at our local dialects. We need to make our dialects a daily ritual even in our homes, schools, hospitals and everywhere” she stated.
Mrs Afeku urged Ghanaians to regard any support for language policy as a step towards our own socio-economic, cultural and political good.
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She called on the Bureau of Ghana Languages to partner with private organizations to support Bureau’s cause in promoting the teaching and learning of local languages.
“We all need to support in our own small way so as a ministry, I will urge them to partner private organizations like NGOs so they can get the needed support they need. We will help them as a ministry but it is important that their leadership also take this matter up” he urged.
Oh his part, the Acting Director of the Bureau of Ghana Languages, Peter Essien, bemoaned the lack of resources to promote the writing of local languages and the provision of teaching and learning materials to enhance the study of Ghanaian languages.
Mr Essien called on the government and stakeholders to focus on monitoring the local language policy in Education in the country.
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He also emphasized the need to adhere to the policy in order to strengthen national unity and patriotism.
The International Mother Tongue day was instituted by UNESCO to be celebrated on the 21st February every year to raise awareness on the importance of mother tongue and its instruction in early years of schooling.
Ghana, through the institutions that promote the development of the indigenous languages such as the University of Education, Winneba, the Bureau of Ghana Languages (BGL), the Bible Society of Ghana and Ghana Institute of Languages and Bible Translation (GILLBT), also observed the day.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s leading Twi-speaking radio station, Adom FM and it other affiliate brands is partnering the Bureau of Ghana Languages for this years International Mother Tongue Day.
As part of the celebrations, some Members of Parliament will be expected to read in eleven selected Ghanaian languages from selected books that the BGL will provide.
Watch some more pictures of the even below:
VIDEO+PHOTOS: Place premium on local languages – Ghanaians told
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