Accra: A research on the speaking of the Ahanta language has projected its extinction in the next two decades. The research indicated a decline in the language usage and transmission to younger generations as the current and older generations stuck to Fante and English. Besides, there are limited opportunities for its use in formal settings.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, at the launch of the Ahanta Language Renaissance Project, lauded the initiative by the Member of Parliament for Ahanta West Municipality to revive the language and also make it an area of study in schools. The project, spearheaded by Madam Kukua Bissue, aims to bring together various sector Ministries, academia, Chiefs, and key stakeholders to lay the foundation for the language to become a recognized official Ghanaian language.
Mr. Buah emphasized the importance of language as an instrument of identity, promoting cultural cohesion and unity of purpose. The Ahanta language is not widely used in formal settings like education or government, further hindering its transmission to new speakers. Social and economic factors, such as migration and urbanization, are also leading to language shift as individuals and communities adapt to new environments and dominant languages. The minister thus committed to supporting the training of 40 individuals to further the project's cause.
Professor Samuel Alhassan Issah of the Linguistics and Indigenous Language Department of the University of Education Winneba highlighted the significance of knowing one's indigenous language, referencing Chinua Achebe's assertion on the power of indigenous languages. He praised the MP for taking bold steps to create a generational legacy and encouraged all political and traditional factions to support the dream of elevating the Ahanta language.
Professor Issah also commended the pioneering works of Reverend Dr. Ntumy for developing the autography, which will serve as valuable material for further development. He noted that languages are integral to cultural identity and heritage, and their loss could erode a community's sense of self. Studies show that learning and using one's mother tongue can positively impact cognitive development and academic performance.
Madam Kukua Bissue, the first female MP for Ahantaland, stated that the project is not just a campaign promise but a legacy for future generations to be proud of. The committee constituted for the project has already consulted extensively, enabling the pilot phase with 20 teachers to take off soon. Madam Bissue emphasized that mainstreaming the Ahanta Language into the formal education system is a constitutional right that the people of Ahanta are exercising to promote and advance their identity, development, and cohesion.
Nana Eziaku IV, Divisional Chief of Agona and Acting President of the Ahanta traditional council, pledged their support to make the project a reality.
