Topic: 2024-Indigenous Languages
Country: Ghana
Delegate Name: Lidija Habekovic
Language is an intrinsic part of culture. Without it, culture would dwindle and eventually become forgotten. Ghana recognizes the importance of preserving indigenous languages as an extremely important step in preserving indigenous cultures. With 73 indigenous languages spoken within its borders, Ghana is committed to preserving these languages as well as emphasizing the significance they have in our culture.
Ghana is home to 80+ languages, 73 being indigenous, and the rest being non-indigenous. Of these, around 11 are widely used, be it in schools or on the radio or TV. However, many Ghanaians are being discouraged from speaking their native languages. In schools, students are punished if they speak their native language, making them scared to speak it, and contributing to a larger problem: the fact that many native languages are going extinct. This is especially concerning to Ghana as it is home to so many indigenous languages; therefore, Ghana has implemented policies to preserve them. However, these policies have not had much of an impact, and Ghana recognizes much progress can be made to better preserve its indigenous languages.
While policies implemented with the intention to preserve indigenous languages have had some effect, Ghana acknowledges more progress can be made. Ghana is committed to preserving each language and the unique culture that is tied to it. Ghana also recognizes the challenges that are faced when trying to foster the usage of these languages, since many of them are only spoken, not written.
Ghana believes that shifting focus onto the community may be the answer. By implementing community-led initiatives to preserve languages, nations may see increased progress. Citizens, on average, feel more connected to their community than their government, and will likely be more on board with preservation initiatives if they are implemented by their community. Additionally, Ghana would like to re-evaluate its school teaching practices. It is concerning to see that students are penalized for speaking their native language, and Ghana is hoping to change that in the near future. Furthermore, Ghana believes it would be beneficial to incorporate indigenous languages into schools to a greater extent. Finally, Ghana believes it would be crucial to document its indigenous languages, so there will always be a record of them.
Ghana is looking forward to progressing in the preservation of its indigenous languages. Language preservation is a crucial part of cultural preservation, and culture is an extremely important part of every person’s life. Ghana looks forward to working with like-minded nations to come to a cohesive solution to combat the disappearance of indigenous languages.
