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, Agona, Akuapem Twi, Akyem, Eastern and Central Asante Twi, Brong, Fante, Kwahu and Wasa regions Mabia Northern Region, Upper Dagbane, Dagaare , Gurenne , Kusaal, East, Upper West Region 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 Ga and Dangbe (Ada, Shai and Krobo) regions Language distribution
Groups Region(s) Language(s)
Gurma North-eastern border with Konkomba, Moba and Bassari Togo 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 Nzema, Sehwi, Anyi (Aowin), Ahanta and Togo while the rest are in the Anufo (Chakosi) Western region
Grusi Upper-East, Upper-West and Kasem, Isaaleng, Chakali, Tampulma, Northern Vagla and Mo Language distribution
Groups Region(s) Language(s) Buem northern part of the Volta Adele, Lelemi, Bowiri, Sekpele, Siwu, region, concentrating around Selee, Logba and Avatime the town of Jasikan Nafaanra the western end of the Brong- Nkuraeng, Nafaanra and Ntrubo-Chala Ahafo region, bordering Cote d'Ivoire. Other African Northern Nigeria and Niger other West African languages spoken Languages and Zongo areas in Ghana 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.