the linguistic situation in ghana - sisu@ut · the linguistic situation in ghana yvonne...
TRANSCRIPT
THE LINGUISTIC SITUATION IN GHANA
Yvonne Agbetsoamedo
University of Ghana, Legon
Language distribution
Groups Region(s) Language(s)
Akan Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Eastern and Central regions
Agona, Akuapem Twi, Akyem,Asante Twi, Brong, Fante, Kwahu and Wasa
Mabia Northern Region, Upper
East, Upper West Region
Dagbane, Dagaare , Gurenne , Kusaal, 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 regions
Ga and Dangbe (Ada, Shai and Krobo)
Language distribution
Groups Region(s) Language(s)
Gurma North-eastern border with Togo
Konkomba, Moba and Bassari
Guang Distributed around areas in the Northern, Brong-Ahafo, Volta, Central and Eastern regions
Gonja, Gichode, Nchumburu, Krachi, Nawuri,Nkonya, Cherepong, Awutu and Effutu
Nzema Northern Region bordering Togo while the rest are in the Western region
Nzema, Sehwi, Anyi (Aowin), Ahanta and Anufo (Chakosi)
Grusi Upper-East, Upper-West and Northern
Kasem, Isaaleng, Chakali, Tampulma,Vagla and Mo
Language distribution
Groups Region(s) Language(s)
Buem northern part of the Volta region, concentrating around the town of Jasikan
Adele, Lelemi, Bowiri, Sekpele, Siwu, Selee, Logba and Avatime
Nafaanra the western end of the Brong-Ahafo region, bordering Cote d'Ivoire.
Nkuraeng, Nafaanra and Ntrubo-Chala
Other African Languages
Northern Nigeria and Niger and Zongo areas in Ghana
other West African languages spokenin Ghana such as the Chadic language, Hausa, and some Mande languages (Ligbiand 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 themissionaries, 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
1529-1925a. 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.