Former Director of Operations at the Forestry Commission, Charles Owusu, has renewed his call for Akan (Twi) to be adopted as Ghana’s official language even ahead of English.
According to him, wherever one travels across Ghana, a significant majority of the population can either speak or understand Akan. He noted that this extends beyond the Akan-speaking regions to areas such as the Upper East, Upper West, Northern Region, and even parts of Greater Accra.
Owusu further argued that even in Ghana’s Parliament, when some Members of Parliament speak their native languages, many colleagues may not understand them. However, once a speaker switches to Akan (Twi), comprehension becomes almost universal.
He emphasized the need to make Akan an official language for teaching children in schools, for communication in homes, and for use in everyday national life.
Owusu therefore urged the country’s leadership to be bold and take steps to make Akan (Twi) the official language of Ghana, even before English.
Story: Nyamebeye Kofi Ansah Sasraku