Representatives of Africa\u2019s cross-border language commissions are calling for stronger support, better coordination and more sustainable funding to help protect and promote African languages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The call came during a coordination meeting of the African Academy of Languages (ACALAN), held virtually on Google Meet and chaired by the Acting Executive Secretary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The meeting brought together language leaders to discuss the current state of their comAfrican language commissions meeting under ACALAN have called for renewed structures, youth inclusion and sustainable funding to strengthen indigenous languages and support Agenda 2063.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
missions, ongoing work and ways to improve cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Participants included Dr. Komla Rafael Kodjo Kadjawu, Secretary of the E\u028be Commission; Prof. Fary Silate for the Fulfulde Commission; Louis Esono for the Betifang Commission; Prof. Aldin Mutembe for the Kiswahili Commission; and Mrs. Margaret Nankinga representing the Luganda and Lusoga commissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the main concerns raised was low participation. Out of ACALAN\u2019s 24 language commissions, only seven responded to recent communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Representatives shared updates on membership and activities. The E\u028be Commission reported members from Ghana, Togo and Benin and noted changes in membership over time. Similar updates were shared by the Luganda, Lusoga, Betifang and Kiswahili commissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Betifang Commission said it continues to stay active through social media and publications. The Kiswahili Commission shared updates on regional meetings and public engagement activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Fulfulde, discussions focused on bilingual education, creating scientific terms in the language and continuing work to harmonise spelling systems. Participants also discussed the importance of recognising Fulfulde\u2019s original writing tradition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Limited funding remained the biggest challenge across commissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To keep language work moving, participants proposed smaller commission structures, stronger communication and more opportunities for young people to take leadership roles. The meeting also introduced an ACALAN artificial intelligence project that aims to involve all 55 African Union member states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The discussions reflect Agenda 2063 Aspiration 5, which seeks \u201cAn Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, values and ethics.\u201d<\/strong> Participants agreed that protecting African languages is not only about culture\u2014it is also about education, inclusion and Africa\u2019s long-term development.<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":1443,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false},"categories":[337,10],"tags":[40,237,33,31,366,328,367,365,22,364],"class_list":["post-1437","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-agenda-2063","category-news","tag-acalan","tag-african-languages","tag-african-union","tag-agenda-2063","tag-cross-border-languages","tag-ewe-language","tag-fulfulde","tag-indigenous-languages","tag-kiswahili","tag-language-policy-in-africa"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n