President John Dramani Mahama has issued a compelling call for heightened emphasis on the teaching and utilization of local languages among children, asserting that this vital endeavor is crucial for safeguarding Ghana’s rich cultural heritage. The President’s remarks, delivered during the Guan Congress 2026 event held at the Guan community in the Asuogyaman District of the Eastern Region, underscored the importance of indigenous languages in maintaining cultural identity, strengthening family bonds, and ensuring the continuity of traditions across generations.
According to the President, indigenous languages are instrumental in preserving a nation’s distinct identity, fostering familial cohesion, and transmitting ancestral knowledge to younger generations. His statement comes after a lengthy address by Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, who emphasized the vital role of language in cultural expression. Gomashie highlighted the Bureau of Ghana Languages’ commitment to collaborating with Guan communities to develop the orthography of their various languages, a crucial step in documentation and preservation efforts.
The event represents a significant return to Anum after 30 years, providing a platform for members of the Guan community to reconnect and deliberate on issues directly impacting their traditional areas. The congress brought together traditional leaders, Guan communities, and cultural groups, all united in their shared goal of fostering unity and exploring opportunities for development within their communities.
Furthermore, President Mahama stressed the importance of parental involvement in this endeavor. He explicitly urged Ghanaians, regardless of their ethnic background, to embrace and speak their indigenous languages at home, and to encourage children to learn them. The President’s emphasis is on fostering a connection to one’s linguistic and cultural roots, reinforcing the vital role of parents and teachers in shaping a generation steeped in heritage.
The President underscored the necessity of not relegating language preservation solely to traditional authorities. He advocated for the role of parents and teachers in ensuring that children remain deeply connected to their linguistic and cultural foundations. The National President of the Guan Congress, Enyineh Gyadu Nkansah III, powerfully stated that the congress was established to bring Guan communities together, harnessing collective resources for sustainable development. He appealed to President Mahama and the Constitutional Review Committee to consider reviewing aspects of the Chieftaincy Act to give chiefs who are not represented on the Houses of Chiefs meaningful roles in the traditional governance system. Specifically, he advocated for reforms to resolve chieftaincy disputes and promote peaceful coexistence within the community. The guest speaker, Buipewura Abdulai Jinapor II, further called on Guan chiefs to unite and speak with one voice on issues affecting their communities, advocating for the protection of Guan lands from encroachment while prioritizing the fair benefit of communities from national development initiatives. He urged traditional authorities to safeguard Guan lands and to actively support policies that foster the interests of present and future generations.
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Source: Adom Online
