Language for running the affairs of the country

Read Article

Comments (27)

This article is closed for comments.

Read Comments Comments (27)

Nii Odoi 12 years ago

It does not matter what you say or think, English, as a language is what we must and should all embrace .Why ? It is spoken UNIVERSALLY. It is the only way out. Can you imagine Physics, Chemistry or even the language used in ...
read full comment

It does not matter what you say or think, English, as a language is what we must and should all embrace .Why ? It is spoken UNIVERSALLY. It is the only way out. Can you imagine Physics, Chemistry or even the language used in commerce such as banking being in Ga, Ewe or Dagomba ?

Stop crying and think about how current and future generations can master the English language and communicate efectively both locally and abroad.

English is everything for goodness sake.Try filling out a job application or preparing a resume in your Ghanaian language and see how far you go.Nowhere.
Vodoo Xebieso 12 years ago

The fool should just come out plainly to suggest adopting Akan/Twi as the national language instead of running in circles.

The fool should just come out plainly to suggest adopting Akan/Twi as the national language instead of running in circles.
CITIZEN ONE 12 years ago

For the past 5 years whenever this argument has arisen, I have always stipulated that on Twi speaking Akans of Ghana seem to have a problem with English as our official language. But in the back of their minds they only think ...
read full comment

For the past 5 years whenever this argument has arisen, I have always stipulated that on Twi speaking Akans of Ghana seem to have a problem with English as our official language. But in the back of their minds they only think about one native language their own. Twi is only largely spoken in the Capital Accra, because an overwhelming number of these folks migrated from their villages and towns to forcefully settle in Accra. Now if these people refuse to learn or make a concerted effort not to assimilate with he indigenous Gas, but out of warmth and embrace the indigenes rather accommodate these people by picking up their language, does that make Twi a better or dominant language for so many illiterates to force us all to adopt Twi as our official language? Is this out of pride or some intellectual motivation, because quite frankly there is not a rats ass chance of Twi, Ga, Ewe or Hausa over shadowing the mighty English language in any area of human development. If you are a Tennis Aficionado, even when when 2 Europeans play a finals in another European country, during the awards ceremony, both players from different language backgrounds speak English which gets translated to the language of the host country; China, France, Germany, Italy or you name it. That false pride and non-existent importance we attach to that Twi language is becoming more and more disgusting by the year, because every single year for the past 10 or so years, some Akan person, not too sure of themselves brings up this topic. Listen Mister, if you cannot speak and write English, you are very much unlikely to be literate in Twi or Ga, except to be able to read the bible. What other faculty or elective would you be fervently studying in Twi or Ga? Please get serious and recognize the futility of your dreams.

I have almost always proposed a thought to these Akanistas, that perhaps it would be wise to create a model Akan(Twi) only society somewhere up there, so you show us all how it's done, then maybe we will applaud you for a great effort, but please don't bring your nonsense to other regions that are ethnically and socially different from you. How the hell can you ask Hausa, Ewe, Ga and other language group kids to study Twi by force, when you make an effort to shield your children from learning any other Ghanaian ethnic languages.

Boy, I tell you, there are so many reasons why Ghana needs a taste of tribal war. Almost always fomented by AKANS!!!
Nii Odoi 12 years ago

Those Twi-speaking people are living in a fool's paradise if they even farthom that their language should be the one and only in our dear country.Simply put, it will never happen.The forces against such a proposal overwhelmin ...
read full comment

Those Twi-speaking people are living in a fool's paradise if they even farthom that their language should be the one and only in our dear country.Simply put, it will never happen.The forces against such a proposal overwhelmingly outweigh it.I mean it is not even close.

To them I say, keep your Twi and let us keep our Ga,Ewe, Gagomba or whatever and everybody will be happy.I don't want to speak Twi and I do not need to speak Twi.
obserer 12 years ago

That and that alone is the reason why.

That and that alone is the reason why.
Nana Bawuah 12 years ago

Just, because you have a poor knowledge of your mother tongue, does not mean the same applies to everyone else. After all your Ga language and culture is highly influenced by Akan.

Don`t you know the Ga embraced the Akan c ...
read full comment

Just, because you have a poor knowledge of your mother tongue, does not mean the same applies to everyone else. After all your Ga language and culture is highly influenced by Akan.

Don`t you know the Ga embraced the Akan culture as well as certain characteristics of Akan chieftaincy? The Akan showed you, how to use stools as symbols of kingship/queenship. The Akan taught you, how to wear cloth in the Akan fashion.Other aspects of the Akan administration were also adopted by the Ga. The wei from which the mantse is chosen is known as the jaase and the head is called Jaasetse this was based on the Akan Gyaase whose function is to protect the king or Omanhene and perform menial tasks for him. A war captain among the Ga is known as Asafoiatse derived from the Akan Asafo (war company), and the asafo songs are mainly in Akan. The Akan military organisation was copied haphazardly by the Ga.

The system of incorporation and adaptation was extended to Ga traditional religion.This explains why some of the Ga deities do have Akan names, such as Otu and Akong gods.Likewise the horn language of the Ga chiefs is also, with a few exceptions, mostly Akan.

The Ga have had a long and intimate association with the Akan language, that had left an indelible mark on their language and linguistic culture. Therefore you will come across many Akan derived words in Ga.The Ga freely borrowed from other people’s culture and made it their own.

Why don`t the Ga people call for the removal of the presidential seat (chair) of state, since it takes the form of an Akan stool and is adorned with Adinkra symbols? Likewise you should call for the abolition of using the Afena (Akan sword) to swear the oath of office by the president.

Whether you like it or not Akan will remain to be the national language of Ghana and Ivory Coast. Whether officially or unofficially.
Nii Odoi 12 years ago

Keep dreaming and fantasizing, Mr Bawuah. Akan is NOT a natinoal language here in Ghana and the Ivory Coast for that matter.You see, this is what is wrong with your people.You make all these outrageous statements which have ...
read full comment

Keep dreaming and fantasizing, Mr Bawuah. Akan is NOT a natinoal language here in Ghana and the Ivory Coast for that matter.You see, this is what is wrong with your people.You make all these outrageous statements which have no credence whatsoever.

I love my Ga language, but that does not mean I should impose it on any anybody else as your people are attempting to do.
Nana Bawuah 12 years ago

You should rather keep dreaming!The Ga freely borrowed from the Akan culture and language and made it their own. Akan in general and Asante in particular, have never forced their culture onto other people. Go and ask the nort ...
read full comment

You should rather keep dreaming!The Ga freely borrowed from the Akan culture and language and made it their own. Akan in general and Asante in particular, have never forced their culture onto other people. Go and ask the northerners and other non-Akan groupings.

Do you think Akans only consist of Asantes, Fantes and Akyems? hahaha Asantes, Akyems, Fantes, Denykiras, Bonos, Ahafos, Akwamus, Nzemas, Kwahus, Akuapems and many others. Akan is the dominant language in any area of Ghana, maybe with the exception of southern Volta and some parts of northern region.

Akan IS the national language whether you like it or not. You should show unreserved to your former overlords the Akwamus for giving you a land to settle and educating you in the oldest and richest culture on earth "THE AKAN".
Nana Bawuah 12 years ago

Akans consist of Asantes, Akyems, Fantes, Denykiras, Bonos, Ahafos, Akwamus, Nzemas, Kwahus, Akuapems and many others other Akan states.

You should show unreserved gratitude to your former overlords the Akwamus ...

Akans consist of Asantes, Akyems, Fantes, Denykiras, Bonos, Ahafos, Akwamus, Nzemas, Kwahus, Akuapems and many others other Akan states.

You should show unreserved gratitude to your former overlords the Akwamus ...
manhyia 12 years ago

Nana Bawuah u are right

french people havr french as their national language

duthc peoaple speak dutch

chinese people speak chinese

Malaysians although they have over hundreds of languages have malay as their na ...
read full comment

Nana Bawuah u are right

french people havr french as their national language

duthc peoaple speak dutch

chinese people speak chinese

Malaysians although they have over hundreds of languages have malay as their national language.

Only we africans because of our tribalistic nature refuse to think of the consequences if we stop speaking our language.

People say that the English language is universal but come to any european country( except the UK) and u are forced to speak the local language, the language of the masses, if u want a job.

There was a time in Europe where local languages were seen as inferior. If u had wanted to be educated u had to speak latin. Even in the pastors in the church preached in latin and the people , although attending church every sunday,understood nothing. People who translated the bible into local languages were killed or punished.

Then later , ruling elite realised that despite all the pride in sepaking and expressing themselves in LATIN the people were still illiterate and the education system was bad.- because the majority could not express themselves well.

people say that african languages can not express scientific ideas and phenonemoms btu does not chnage the fact that african languages can not be used. If the for example the bible was translated in several affrican languages including twi then i am sure that scientific report can be translated.

TO citizen one, nii odoi and minor case, speaking english does not make u superior or white. U are still africans . ur skin and hair colour shows it . And what i think is that our arguments are tribal minded which will not help us at all.

I rest my case

MINOR CASE 12 years ago

See how the haters have lined up to bash the writer of this article. My Ewe friend speaks better Twi than me an Akan. In any case it is not necessary to make Twi the national language ,it has become the common language of G ...
read full comment

See how the haters have lined up to bash the writer of this article. My Ewe friend speaks better Twi than me an Akan. In any case it is not necessary to make Twi the national language ,it has become the common language of Ghanaians every where and others are worried. I have attended parties and funerals of non Akans and its all Akan music. This language binds Ghanaians together as one people in the eyes of non Ghanaians and must be encouraged.
Okuoko Gyeabour 12 years ago

You are semi-literate as your level of communication skills in English is infinitesmally abysmal, so stop populating ghanaweb with your badly written and horrible articles. You are an utter disgrace to Legon.

You are semi-literate as your level of communication skills in English is infinitesmally abysmal, so stop populating ghanaweb with your badly written and horrible articles. You are an utter disgrace to Legon.
EMMANUEL OSEI-POKU 12 years ago

Gyeabour do you get the message or you are in to mark my piece...The reader getting the message is the most important thing to me

Gyeabour do you get the message or you are in to mark my piece...The reader getting the message is the most important thing to me
Okuoko Gyeabour 12 years ago

You are semi-literate as your level of communication skills in English is infinitesmally abysmal, so stop populating ghanaweb with your badly written and horrible articles. You are an utter disgrace to Legon.

You are semi-literate as your level of communication skills in English is infinitesmally abysmal, so stop populating ghanaweb with your badly written and horrible articles. You are an utter disgrace to Legon.
Okuoko Gyeabour 12 years ago

You are semi-literate as your level of communication skills in English is infinitesmally abysmal, so stop populating ghanaweb with your badly written and horrible articles. You are an utter disgrace to Legon.

You are semi-literate as your level of communication skills in English is infinitesmally abysmal, so stop populating ghanaweb with your badly written and horrible articles. You are an utter disgrace to Legon.
Ken Ntiamoa 12 years ago

What the hell do you mean by "infinitesmally abysmal?"

Ken

What the hell do you mean by "infinitesmally abysmal?"

Ken
Nii Odoi 12 years ago

You know damn well what he meant. It was just a spelling mistake.The correct spelling is " infinitesimally ". Are you happy now ?

It is a known fact that standards have fallen at Legon regarding the way some of the Legon p ...
read full comment

You know damn well what he meant. It was just a spelling mistake.The correct spelling is " infinitesimally ". Are you happy now ?

It is a known fact that standards have fallen at Legon regarding the way some of the Legon products write English these days.
Okofo Dartey Samuel 12 years ago

Osei, a word of advice to you: If you really want to survive and communicate meaningfully on this platform, double check the way you weave words to form sentences. It appears you have a message to relay but you lack coherency ...
read full comment

Osei, a word of advice to you: If you really want to survive and communicate meaningfully on this platform, double check the way you weave words to form sentences. It appears you have a message to relay but you lack coherency in your delivery as well as sound linguistic competence. If you think of publishing an article next time, give it to a good editor or a student of English language to plug the grammatical leakages. Apart from your political science notes, read good novels and listen to good communicators. I look forward to reading your next article.
Okofo Dartey Samuel 12 years ago

The right word in the heading is 'prove' not 'proof.'

The right word in the heading is 'prove' not 'proof.'
EMMANUEL OSEI-POKU 12 years ago

Samuel All I am in for is to make you get the message as a reader...the most important thing ahead of marking scripts

Samuel All I am in for is to make you get the message as a reader...the most important thing ahead of marking scripts

Okofo Dartey Samuel 12 years ago

I do get the import of your concerns my friend. Inasmuch as message is important, every good communicator knows words are the clothes of thought. If your diction is impeccable, your message sinks well with the masses. I have ...
read full comment

I do get the import of your concerns my friend. Inasmuch as message is important, every good communicator knows words are the clothes of thought. If your diction is impeccable, your message sinks well with the masses. I have the hunch that the potential is there therefore you need the linguistic competence as a complement. Once again, I look forward to reading a better piece from you.
Okofo Dartey Samuel 12 years ago

I do get the import of your concerns my friend. Inasmuch as message is important, every good communicator knows words are the clothes of thoughts. If your diction is impeccable, your message sinks well with the masses. I have ...
read full comment

I do get the import of your concerns my friend. Inasmuch as message is important, every good communicator knows words are the clothes of thoughts. If your diction is impeccable, your message sinks well with the masses. I have a hunch that the potential is there therefore you need the linguistic competence as a complement. Once again, I look forward to reading a better piece from you.
Nationalist 12 years ago

Mental slavery has kept all Africans below the desperation line. Why can't we train our Children in our God given Language? Do you settle family problems with English Language? We really and desperately love to be enslaved ...
read full comment

Mental slavery has kept all Africans below the desperation line. Why can't we train our Children in our God given Language? Do you settle family problems with English Language? We really and desperately love to be enslaved. One can multiply when He or She creates. Love yourself, love your language and love your Culture. Language is God given Knowledge, God given skills and God given confidence. Understanding these monumental foundations one can easily be motivated into perfect Education. We have become despicable failures. We buy someone else books, foods, cloths, cars, soap, personal grooming kits, medicines and the list goes on and even our budgets are heavily subsidised. What happened to your Oil, Gold, Cocoa, Timber, Diamond, Cash Crops etc. Shameful to talk about Infrastructures because we simply do not have Human Resources. The Lord never instructed you to forsake your language. Israel is The Example of which every Nation should learn from.
Mohammed 12 years ago

A common national language among Ghanaians is an excellent idea. However forget about using Twi. It will never be accepted to represent the nation. Period.

A common national language among Ghanaians is an excellent idea. However forget about using Twi. It will never be accepted to represent the nation. Period.
someone else 12 years ago

...that it's written in English. And thus the medium undermines the message.

...that it's written in English. And thus the medium undermines the message.
C.O.D 12 years ago

Folks! If we really crave for self-reliance and true development, we must select one language spoken by every Ghanaian. Someone`s language, though as popular as it may be worldwide, will never get us to the promised land. A p ...
read full comment

Folks! If we really crave for self-reliance and true development, we must select one language spoken by every Ghanaian. Someone`s language, though as popular as it may be worldwide, will never get us to the promised land. A president speaking to his countrymen/women in a foreign language is done and popular but only in Africa.We can never ever get it right learning another`s language whilst we practically think in our own. The Jews were in Egypt for over 400 years but kept their language intact. Now look at them. We must change that for our own good and look inside for our forward marching rather than looking outside. I pray for the day when our leaders will emerge with the balls to call for a referendum on that. USA did it and and gained massively.
ob 12 years ago

bro right no country can develope With Foreign Language .Language is culture and is about improving and adding value to what you have.Go to Indonesia,Sri lanka Pakistan China,all Europeans countries Island ,Finland norway,all ...
read full comment

bro right no country can develope With Foreign Language .Language is culture and is about improving and adding value to what you have.Go to Indonesia,Sri lanka Pakistan China,all Europeans countries Island ,Finland norway,all using their Language.

27 Comments

Welcome,

SIGN IN

Welcome,

RESET PASSWORD

Hello,

Terms and conditions

REGISTER

Language for running the affairs of the country

Read Comments .st0{display:none;fill:#14BDD3;} .st1{display:none;} .st2{display:inline;fill:#FC0F0F;} .st3{display:inline;fill:#FFFFFF;} .st4{display:inline;fill:none;stroke:#000000;stroke-width:6;stroke-miterlimit:10;} Comments (27)

Read Comments Comments (27)