Gov’t to enhance use of ‘local languages’ in basic education – MoE
The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has reaffirmed the central government’s commitment to strengthening the use of local languages as a key driver of educational success in basic education.
According to him, learning in local languages offers a strong foundation for lifelong learning, calling for more investment in early childhood education to give every Ghanaian child the best possible start.
The Education Minister said this during a visit to one of the Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP) classes in Abelenkpe, under the Ghana Education Outcomes Project (GEOP), which supports out-of-school children through the education outcomes funding.
The UK Minister for Development, Baroness Chapman, who was also present at the ALP classes, expressed her pleasure in partnering with the Government of Ghana and other stakeholders to expand education in local languages across the country.
The United Kingdom Development Minister noted this initiative would help children return to school, and emphasized that lasting progress depended on strong partnerships and system strengthening.
The event brought together key stakeholders from the World Bank, Plan International, GEOP, KPMG, Bridges Outcome Partnership, and other partners, reflecting a shared commitment to transform education in Ghana.
In a related development, the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has called for Ga and Dangme to be made compulsory subjects in all public and private basic schools across Ga and Dangme communities starting next academic year.
Speaking at the 85th anniversary celebration of Odorgonno Senior High School, His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II said, “It has become our responsibility to bring back Ga culture and language into our classrooms.”
King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II highlighted profoundly in his speech the value of culture. “Our culture is who we are; it is the base of ethnicity; it is our heritage brought to the fore, making da emand of us not to lose it.”
Raising concern about the steady decline of Ga and Dangme, especially among the youth, the Ga King said, “Language is the vessel of culture. To lose it is to lose our story, our values, and our identity.”
Making the languages compulsory in government and private schools, Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II explained, would reconnect younger generations to their roots while instilling pride and belonging.
The Ga Mantse further noted that mother-tongue instruction would improve academic performance.
“Teaching Ga and Dangme are not only about culture; it is about creating well-rounded, confident, and high-achieving students.
“Our children will learn better when they begin with what they know best—their own language,” he said.
He called on the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to enforce the directive by recruiting and training teachers and providing adequate textbooks and audio-visual learning materials.
“This is a cultural necessity, not just an educational reform. If we do not act now, the risk of losing our language, and with it, our identity, will only grow,” the Ga mantse cautioned.
His Royal Majesty added, “We want to partner with the Ministry of Education to integrate the Ga language in our GES curriculum”, he affirmed, calling for a collective effort to ensure that students learn about their roots.
