The Asante Professionals Club (APC) is advocating for a shift in Ghana’s official communication, urging the prioritisation of local languages to foster greater inclusivity and accelerate national development.

The call was made during the 8th Opemsuo Lecture Series, the flagship event of the APC, held at the Prempeh Assembly Hall in Kumasi. The lecture, a key component of the Club’s 10th-anniversary celebrations, focused on the theme “Impact of Ghanaian Languages on Sustainable Development in Ghana.”

According to Isaac Kofi Antwi, President of the Asante Professionals Club, the continued reliance on English, a legacy of colonial rule, creates a significant barrier between leadership and the majority of Ghanaians. “Only about 20 per cent of Ghanaians truly understand the national budget when it is read in English, yet we persist with a language that does not serve the needs of our people,” he stated.

Mr. Antwi emphasized that meaningful participation in governance is contingent upon citizens’ ability to comprehend official communications. He questioned the practice of politicians campaigning in local dialects only to revert to English once in office, adding, “If people don’t understand what leaders are saying, they cannot effectively express their views or contribute to national discourse.”

The APC plans to formally petition the Ministry of Education and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) to champion a national policy that adopts a Ghanaian language as the official language of the country.

Drawing parallels with other African nations, Mr. Antwi highlighted the success of countries like South Africa, Uganda, and Kenya in utilizing indigenous languages, such as Swahili, to promote national cohesion and inclusivity.

Former First Deputy Speaker of Parliament and ex-MP for Bekwai, Joe Osei Owusu, who chaired the event, echoed the sentiment, pointing to China’s developmental trajectory after embracing its local language as the official medium. “The use of local languages enhances participation and ensures that development efforts benefit all segments of society,” he explained.

However, Mr. Osei Owusu acknowledged that Ghana’s political landscape presents challenges to the adoption of a local language. He noted that despite evidence indicating Akan, particularly Twi, as the most widely spoken language, political considerations have hindered official adoption.

Despite these hurdles, he urged the people of Asanteman to champion the Akan language and encouraged parents to prioritize teaching their children their mother tongue and cultural values.

The APC views this discussion as integral to its broader mission of promoting cultural identity, inclusive governance, and sustainable development through comprehensive language policy reforms.

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