Founder of the Kasa Tumi Language Watch Foundation, Dr. Nana Animah Wiafe-Akenteng
Founder of the Kasa Tumi Language Watch Foundation, Dr. Nana Animah Wiafe-Akenteng, has commended the Ministry of Education for its decision to promote the use of local languages as a medium of instruction in schools, describing the move as “appropriate bold and long overdue.”
Speaking on OTEC FM’s Breakfast Show, Nyansapo, hosted by Kwaku Owusu Boateng (KOB) on Monday, October 27, 2025, Dr. Wiafe-Akenteng lauded the Education Minister for championing what she called a visionary policy that aligns with Ghana’s cultural and linguistic identity.
“This is a bold initiative that should have been implemented long ago,” she said. “We must learn from other nations that have successfully adopted their local languages in education and seen significant progress in literacy and cultural preservation.”
Call for effective implementation
Dr. Wiafe-Akenteng emphasized that effective implementation would require adequate preparation and resourcing. She urged the government to ensure the availability of educational manuals and teaching materials in Ghanaian languages to support the transition.
“The government must procure more educational manuals to make this policy work smoothly,” she advised. “We also need to tap into the knowledge of our best lecturers who are well-versed in Ghanaian languages to guide the process.”
She further called for the training of more teachers in local languages to enhance effective teaching and learning at the basic level.
“Yes, we can do it,” Dr. Wiafe-Akenteng asserted confidently. “It will not only improve learning outcomes but also help us sell our culture to the world.”
Benefit of using local languages in education
Dr. Waife-Akenteng also noted that the use of local languages in education could have broader social benefits beyond the classroom.
“Using our local languages will help check indiscipline, indecent dressing, as well as hate speeches and insults on social media spaces,” she observed. “When people understand their roots and values through language, they behave more responsibly and respectfully.”
“Yes, we can do it,” she asserted confidently. “It will not only improve learning outcomes but also help us sell our culture to the world.”
The Kasa Tumi Language Watch Foundation, she added, will continue to advocate for the preservation and promotion of indigenous languages as key pillars of national development.\
Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com
