FGLE-UEW Celebrates Ghanaian Languages with Weeklong Cultural Event

The celebration kicked off on Monday with a grand launch, setting the stage for a series of engaging events, including inter-level traditional games, cultural drumming and dance, quiz competitions, and traditional food contests, which culminated in a grand durbar on Friday. Each activity served as a platform for cultural exchange and dialogue among the diverse communities at UEW.

At the grand durbar, Prof. Samuel Alhassan Issah, Dean of FGLE, highlighted the event's theme, emphasising the wisdom of African ancestors and the profound impact of speaking one's mother tongue. Quoting Nelson Mandela, he remarked, "Speaking one's own language touches the soul."

Prof. Issah stressed the importance of appreciating and preserving indigenous languages as vital elements of identity and cultural heritage. He called for the promotion of Ghanaian languages within the educational system to foster inclusivity and preserve cultural heritage.

“Recognising the value of linguistic diversity and multilingualism is crucial for national development,” Prof. Issah stated.

He advocated for collective efforts toward a linguistically inclusive educational system and society, invoking the philosophy of Ubuntu, "I am because we are," and emphasising that languages flourish when spoken and cultures thrive when lived.

Keynote speaker Prof. Samuel Awinkene Atintono, Principal of the Accra College of Education, underscored Ghana's linguistic diversity as a valuable resource. He lamented that many Ghanaian children are deprived of the opportunity to learn in their native languages, despite the benefits of mother-tongue education. Prof. Atintono called for a robust language education policy to support Ghanaian languages in education and urged UEW’s College of Languages Education (CoLANGE) to engage with communities to develop more languages for educational purposes.

He commended CoLANGE for incorporating three new languages into its Bachelor of Education in Language programme and encouraged innovation in teacher education programmes to align with the economy’s needs.

Representing Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual, Vice-Chancellor of UEW, Prof. Victor Antwi, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, emphasised the importance of preserving Ghana's cultural heritage for future generations.

He praised the cultural displays, particularly noting a poem in Akuapem promoting peace and unity. Prof. Antwi urged Ghanaians to prioritise their shared destiny over political differences, highlighting the need to record and showcase traditional dances, dresses, songs, and poems in schools nationwide.

Prof. Dominic Danso Mensah, Principal of CoLANGE and chairman of the grand durbar commended the organising committee for their efforts in showcasing diverse cultural talents and skills. He stressed that cultural integration breeds national cohesion and teaches individuals to coexist harmoniously, acknowledging the unique attributes of each culture.

The weeklong event aligned with UEW's values and Ghana's emphasis on national cohesion and integration, showcasing rich cultural displays by various Ghanaian language groups. It highlighted the importance of preserving Ghana's linguistic and cultural heritage, promoting intercultural dialogue, and contributing to national development.