Culture values remain essential for Ghanaians, emphasizing the preservation of our mother tongue. It is disheartening that some Ghanaians cannot express themselves in their native language, highlighting the need for everyone to respect and uphold cultural values in communication. Clare Asantewa Afari, the Culture Officer for the National Commission on Culture, shared these sentiments on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM in Accra.
As a state institution mandated to present and preserve Ghana’s cultural life, the National Commission on Culture and its Centers annually celebrate UNESCO’s International Mother Language Day. The 2024 celebration, themed “Multilingual education: A pillar of learning and intergenerational learning,” is scheduled for February 21, 2024.
This celebration aims to educate Ghanaians on the significance of indigenous languages in our educational curriculum and personal development. The goals include fostering language appreciation at home, advocating for multilingualism in the educational sector, and preserving cultural values for the digital generation.
The speaker expresses hope for collaboration to make this cultural program a continuous presence on airwaves. International Mother Language Day, observed on February 21, commemorates the tragic 1952 incident in Bangladesh when students protested a language controversy. UNESCO officially declared this day in 1999, marking its first observance in 2000.
Globalization poses a threat to many languages, with at least 43% of the world’s spoken languages endangered. Celebrating International Mother Language Day is crucial to prevent language loss and preserve cultural heritage worldwide. As languages disappear, so does the associated cultural and intellectual heritage. The importance of this day lies in ensuring the continued existence of languages and the pride people take in their mother tongue. For further information or collaboration, contact AYM Kukah via email at kukahalexander7@gmail.com.
