Accra, Ghana — The African Academy of Languages (ACALAN), the specialized linguistic institution of the African Union, has officially launched activities marking its 20th anniversary during the 2026 edition of Africa Languages Week in Accra, Ghana, signaling a renewed continental push to position African languages at the center of sustainable development.
The two-day event, held from 23–24 February 2026 at the University of Ghana, Legon, was convened under the theme: “Sustainable Waters, Shared Voices: African Languages as the Conduit for Water and Safe Sanitation for the Africa We Want.” The gathering also featured the unveiling of ACALAN’s new logo, symbolizing a new phase in the Academy’s evolution.
In her opening address, Acting Executive Secretary Vicensia Shule called for bold, innovative strategies to expand the practical use and global visibility of African languages. She emphasized that development initiatives in water, sanitation, public health, governance, and technology can only succeed when communicated in languages people understand.
High-level strategic sessions focused on translating two decades of linguistic research into measurable, community-level impact. Stakeholders examined the continent’s linguistic imbalance, noting that while colonial languages dominate official communication, they exclude hundreds of millions of Africans from full participation in development processes.
Participants also highlighted emerging priorities, including artificial intelligence tools for African languages, media literacy, entrepreneurship education, and creative content such as animation to promote early language learning.
The forthcoming 20th anniversary celebrations, to run from September 2026 to 2027, will align with global efforts to protect linguistic rights while advancing the African Union’s vision of inclusive growth and cultural sovereignty.
As Africa Languages Week 2026 concluded, one message resonated clearly: Africa’s development future must be spoken in African languages.