English has not been scrapped as a language of instruction in Ghanaian basic schools, the Ministry of Education has clarified. This was contained in a statement signed and issued by the Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, on Thursday, October 30.

The clarification comes at a time when the Ministry has directed the compulsory teaching of Ghanaian languages in basic schools, specifically for pupils from Kindergarten to Primary Three.

However, Dr. Clement Apaak explained that the new policy is to ensure that children are not only fluent in the English language but also in their home languages. He emphasized that the initiative is also intended to strengthen learning outcomes across all subjects.

“Teaching in a language the child does not understand or speak well creates major barriers to literacy acquisition. So, we are committing to revisit the policy, based on global evidence, to ensure that we are teaching effectively from KG to Basic Year Three to improve learning outcomes.

“This includes looking at how we can draw upon the success of Ghanaian programmes such as Complementary Basic Education to involve communities and extend early grade teaching beyond our 12 official languages,” he added.

According to the statement, “As evidence has shown, the practice in countries such as China, Finland, Japan and Malaysia indicates that proficiency in a home language or playground language is key to learning other languages effectively.

“It also helps in developing in young learners, national identity and appreciation of cultural values,” the statement said, adding that the Ministry of Education was keen to ensure that no learner was left behind in receiving the quality education they deserve. “It is their right. We respect their right. At the end, we are nurturing individuals into responsible national adults and global citizens.”

In 2023, Ghanaian historian, Nana Osei-Bonsu Sarfo-Kantanka, called on managers of educational institutions across the country to desist from punishing students who speak local languages while in school.

He said students should be encouraged to speak local languages to better understand the culture and heritage of the country.

The historian attributed his point to the fact that some foreign countries prioritize their local languages, thereby requiring that a person, upon arrival in the country, speak and understand the language.

Speaking to KMJ on Prime Morning, he said, “If you go to school, it is written ‘Speak English.’ If you spoke the local dialect, you would be spanked. All these things must be removed.”

“If you go to India, you have to learn Hindi to be able to study at the university. Why can’t we learn from them?” he quizzed.

Despite the fact that English is an international language that cannot be abolished, Nana Osei-Bonsu opined that it could be blended with local languages to activate the country’s heritage.

He also believes that Ghanaian languages are likely to fade out as generations pass if parents do not insist on speaking local dialects with their children.

Nana Osei-Bonsu encouraged people to make efforts to speak their local languages at all levels to maintain the cultural heritage of the country and its relevance.

“Even if just twenty people are speaking the language, it should be encouraged at all levels. If we’re able to do that, gradually ours will take over the so-called international language. In our houses, parents should be serious and speak our local languages with their children,” he entreated.

The country celebrates Ghana Month throughout March every year to commemorate her independence. The historian believes that people’s enthusiasm for the celebration is depleting as the years go by.

He attributes the dwindling interest partly to the trend of designers incorporating foreign products into their designs. The historian also indicated that opinion leaders can be blamed for the low interest among the public, as they have failed to insist on the inclusion of local languages in the school curriculum.

As to whether the late Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah would have maintained the country’s heritage if he were alive, Nana Osei-Bonsu said, “Who knows that he would have kept doing what he was doing because politicians are dictated to.”

However, Ghanaians are encouraged to project their culture globally by wearing locally made designs, eating Ghanaian food, and speaking local languages, among others, throughout March.

Earlier this year, Member of Parliament for Atwima Nwabiagya North, Frank Yeboah, urged Ghanaians to protect and preserve their indigenous languages. According to him, the country's indigenous languages play a crucial role in national identity and cultural heritage.

He made this statement during the commemoration of International Mother Language Day in February.

Addressing Parliament, he urged all citizens to recognize the value of their native tongues and take proactive steps to safeguard them. Mr. Yeboah highlighted the importance of community-driven efforts in language preservation, stressing that initiatives such as storytelling, oral history documentation, and intergenerational language transmission programmes must be actively promoted.

He encouraged schools, traditional authorities, and cultural institutions to collaborate to ensure that local languages remain relevant in contemporary Ghanaian society.

“Mr Speaker, we cannot afford to lose our indigenous languages, for in them lies the heart and soul of our identity as Ghanaians,” he stated. “Let us act now to protect and promote them, ensuring that future generations inherit not just the words, but the history, values, and wisdom they carry.”

He further called on policymakers to incorporate indigenous language education into the national curriculum and promote its usage in both public and private sectors.

The MP also emphasized the need for media platforms to dedicate more airtime to local languages, ensuring that they remain widely spoken and appreciated.

He concluded by urging all Ghanaians to take pride in their linguistic heritage, noting that preserving mother languages is not merely about communication but about protecting a rich legacy of knowledge and identity.