ACCRA, Ghana — Ghana has taken another important step in preserving and developing African languages with the official launch of the standardised orthographies for Kusaal, Likpakpaanl and Sisaali.
Held at the National Theatre in Accra, the event brought together government officials, traditional leaders, language experts and members of the Kusaasi, Konkomba and Sissala communities to celebrate a major milestone in language development.
The launch was led through the Bureau of Ghana Languages under the leadership of Ebenezer Ahiator Esq. Although organisers acknowledged a few challenges during the event, the outcome was widely viewed as a victory for culture and language preservation.
Speaking at the launch, Ghana’s Minister responsible for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, who also serves as Chair of the Ewe Cross-Border Language Commission under ACALAN, stressed the importance of protecting indigenous languages. Her message highlighted that when societies neglect their languages, they risk losing their history, identity and knowledge systems.
The launch of these orthographies provides a standard writing system that can support teaching and learning, improve literacy and expand the use of local languages in publishing and digital technologies.
The event was chaired by Hon. Cletus Apul Avoka and attended by several national leaders including Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Hon. Mahama Ayariga; Transport Minister and Member of Parliament for Saboba, Hon. Joseph Nikpe; Member of Parliament for Bimbilla, Hon. Dominic Nitiwul; and Hon. Nyindam, Member of Parliament for Kpandai.
Their participation reflected broad support for strengthening indigenous languages as part of national development.
The launch also advances the mandate of the African Academy of Languages (ACALAN), which promotes African languages as tools for education, integration and development across the continent.
Importantly, the initiative supports Agenda 2063 Aspiration 5, which calls for an Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, shared values and ethics.
Following the successful launch, attention is expected to shift toward the next stage—supporting the formal teaching of these languages in schools and expanding their use in modern communication spaces.
Language is more than communication. It carries memory, identity and the stories that shape communities. By investing in indigenous languages today, Ghana is helping secure that heritage for future generations.
