Forty indigenous Ghanaian languages are currently facing extinction, according to the Ghana Library Authority. Alhassan Betintiche Ziblim, the Executive Director, issued this urgent warning. He noted that while only a few languages have completely vanished, many more are now critically endangered.
This concerning trend highlights a significant cultural and historical loss for Ghana. The Authority stresses that without immediate and deliberate preservation efforts, the number of lost languages will continue to increase. The disappearance of these languages impacts cultural heritage and traditional knowledge.
This situation reflects a broader challenge within Ghana's cultural landscape. The country has already lost languages such as Boro, Mprɛ, and Dompo. Boro, once spoken in central-eastern Ghana, was reduced to a single speaker by the late 1800s. Mprɛ, from Butei, also disappeared in the 20th century. Dompo, a language of a hunter-gatherer community in the Bono East Region, is now considered extinct as its speakers shifted to Akan.
The Ghana Library Authority specifically identifies Nawuri, Tuwuli (Bowiri), Chala, and certain dialects of Anufo (Chakosi) as currently endangered. These languages could vanish within a single generation if younger people stop learning and speaking them. This mirrors a wider issue across Africa, where many indigenous languages have already been lost.
Interestingly, there is some disagreement on the exact number of lost languages. Ethnologue, a major language database, often lists fewer extinct Ghanaian languages than local researchers. This difference arises from varying definitions of what constitutes an 'extinct' language, especially when only a few elderly individuals retain some memory of it.
The discussion also includes Hausa, a major West African language with deep roots in Ghana. Despite its origins in Nigeria and Niger, media personalities like Alhaji A. R. Gomda and Alhaji Baba Sheriff argue for its inclusion among Ghana's own languages. Hausa is widely spoken in Zongo communities and serves as a common language for inter-ethnic communication.
Hausa's presence in Ghana stems from historical factors like trade routes, migration, and colonial-era recruitment. Its influence is evident in everyday Ghanaian speech. Words like "donkomi" (from Hausa "rangwame" for reduction) and "kafra" (from Hausa "gaafara" for forgiveness) demonstrate this impact. Place names such as Kasoa, Adabraka, and Nima also show Hausa and Arabic linguistic influence.
The Ghana Library Authority emphasizes that the fate of these languages is not predetermined. Languages like Boro and Mprɛ faded gradually, one generation at a time. The Authority urges every Ghanaian to play an active role in reversing this trend. Speaking indigenous languages at home and teaching them to children is crucial.
Using native languages proudly in public spaces like markets, streets, churches, or mosques is also vital. This active use is not just a duty but an act of preservation. The "SPEAK LOCAL GH" campaign promotes this idea, reminding Ghanaians that their languages are theirs to either lose or keep. This initiative aims to empower communities as authors of their own development.
The campaign's tagline, "Speak it, Preserve it, Pass it on," encapsulates its core message. It encourages engagement on social media platforms to foster a vibrant linguistic environment. A language spoken today is a language saved for tomorrow, ensuring the protection of Ghana's rich linguistic heritage for future generations.