Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has called for Ghanaian languages to be taught in international schools across the country as part of efforts to promote cultural pride and national identity.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on October 27, the Effutu MP, said he had raised the issue in Parliament as far back as 2018, but it received little attention.
He explained that incorporating local languages into the curricula of international schools would not only promote Ghana’s culture but also enhance the country’s global image.
“I think I raised this thing in 2018 in Parliament, but nobody really listened. All the international schools in Ghana — we have diplomats coming in.
“They want to take something away from Ghana. None of the international schools has as part of its teaching curriculum a Ghanaian language,” he said.
Afenyo-Markin believes that international schools, while maintaining their independence, should be encouraged to include at least one Ghanaian language in their programs.
According to him, such an initiative would help foreigners, especially children of diplomats and expatriates, connect with the local culture during their stay in Ghana.
“At least the international schools should be encouraged. Though they have their independence and all, they have to factor in our culture and say, ‘Look, pick a Ghanaian language so that the child would learn.
“Especially those who come stay here five years as short-term diplomats or expatriates bringing their kids here, staying in Ghana for 10 years and all, it would be a source of pride for that child himself or herself, growing up back home and saying that I lived in Ghana when I was a little boy for 10 years, five years, and I can speak Twi, Ga, Ewe, Hausa, Dagbani, and Efutu,” he explained.
Afenyo-Markin said encouraging the teaching of Ghanaian languages in such schools would also help sell Ghana internationally.
“It’s how to sell the country. So we should not look at it differently, and I pray that the respected Minister of Tourism will take this up seriously. It’s something that we can do,” he noted.
The Effutu MP linked the idea to broader investment promotion efforts, explaining that investors consider culture and the people’s way of life before deciding where to invest.
“When we say investment, bringing investment to Ghana, it’s not all about just waiting for a policy document and saying, bring your money here. People consider all manner of things before they decide that, okay, I’m taking my money to this particular destination,” he said.
He added that Ghana’s reputation in the sub-region remains strong and must be preserved and enhanced through such cultural initiatives.
“Within the sub-region, we’re really advanced. Today, the Ugandan opposition visited me, and the way they were talking about Ghana — I don’t think we Ghanaians even talk about our country the way they see us. They’re so happy to say, look, you guys have achieved so much for yourselves, and they are so proud of us,” he said.
The Minority Leader stressed that promoting Ghanaian languages and culture could help create jobs and economic opportunities.
“If we get the parameters right — the little, little variables that can sell the country — if we get them right and rally around it, we should get there and create jobs through that and create opportunities for our people,” he added.
His comments come in the wake of a new directive by Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, instructing the Ghana Education Service (GES) to enforce the use of mother tongue instruction in all Ghanaian schools.
The directive is part of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening local language education and cultural identity in Ghana’s educational system.