West African Languages Congress opens

Prof. George Benneh, Chairman of the National Council for Tertiary Education, has opened the 22nd West African Languages Congress in Accra with a call on countries not to neglect their native languages.

He said language is "perhaps the single most important element for the cultural identity of people" adding that a country that neglects its native languages does so at its own peril. The five-day Congress, which is under the theme "New trends in West African language Studies", is being organized by the West African Linguistics Society. The forum would be used to exchange information and research findings on languages of West Africa. About 60 professors, researchers and linguists from Ghana, Nigeria, Benin and Togo are among those attending. Dr Benneh noted that modern communication has made the world smaller and there is increasing pressure on young people to adopt Western fashion and modes of behaviour.

He explained that some of these changes are inevitable, "but if these young people, who are the future generation, are to lose the capability for effective communication in their African languages as well, that will spell the destruction of the very essence of our cultural identity." Prof Benneh said apart from education, the government has given Ghanaian languages an added boost in the political arena with its decision that formal education and the ability to express one's self in English should no longer be a condition for being elected to the District Assemblies. "This has made it possible to achieve true democracy at the grassroots level." He said the reforms in the educational sector have ensured that Ghanaian languages are given their rightful place in the school curriculum.

Prof. Gilbert Ansre, President of the Society, noted that "a wise national language policy ensures that the vast majority of the population use the language or languages they know best to participate in as well as benefit from the development process."