When English became the safest Ghanaian language

Ghana has discovered a remarkable approach to promoting equality among its indigenous languages by subordinating them to English. This discovery was revealed by Ebenezer Ahiator, the Executive Secretary of the Bureau of Ghana Languages, speaking before Parliament's Committee on Chieftaincy, Culture, and Religious Affairs. The rationale behind this approach is clear: if one language is designated as the national language, speakers of the remaining languages may feel that their languages have been relegated to a secondary status.

Thus, a solution was proposed - to make English the national language, thereby ensuring that no Ghanaian language feels marginalized. The argument has since proliferated on social media platforms, where it has transcended the realm of linguistics to encompass issues of history, tribalism, and politics. The debate surrounding a national language in Ghana is particularly complex due to the unique positions of various languages within the country.

For instance, Twi, which is widely spoken across Ghana, is often viewed as a symbol of Akan dominance, while speakers of other languages such as Ewe, Ga, Dagbani, Dagaare, Gonja, Nzema, Fante, Kasem, Gurene, Dangme, Likpakpaanl, and many others, see their languages as repositories of rich cultural heritage. Thus, the question arises: if giving a particular language a national status risks making the others feel inferior, what has English been doing all along?

English occupies prominent positions in various spheres of Ghanaian life, including politics, education, justice, and the workplace. Despite English's status as a globally recognized language and its general neutral status, it holds a position of privilege in Ghanaian society. There are concerns that by elevating one language over others, the government is inadvertently privileging a particular group and potentially stifling the cultural diversity that makes Ghana a unique nation.