Let’s Break The Neck Of Linguistic Imperialism- Professor Kofi Agyekum

The Dean of Linguistics of University of Ghana,Legon, Professor Kofi Agyekum has called for the decolonisation of what he terms ; Linguistic Colonialism in Ghana and Africa in general . He made this call when he spoke as the Special Guest Speaker at a Book launch at the Christ The King Parish Hall at Cantonment in Accra recently. The occasion was the launching of the Akwapim version of the 1992 Ghana Constitution translated by Lawyer Kwasi Opare a native of Akwapim.

The learned Professor argued that much as Ghana and some African countries have liberated themselves from political colonisation,these countries continue to use alien languages rather than their mother tongue in all aspects of their lives. This he said is not correct ,to say the least .He postulated that : Language is the purest manifestation of one’s culture ; Language is used to transmit socio- cultural and behavioural tenets of people and , Language is used to preserve cultural values and heritage and also used to dabble in and simplify numerous activities in the lives of a people. He lamented that as Ghanaians who have been independent since 1957 ,we are still held bondage by the use of someone else’s language as a means of communication and transaction . “This behaviour has led to the fact that we esteem the foreign language far above our mother tongue making us live artificial pride and ego” . He stated that speaking someone’s language doesn’t necessarily make you a better scholar as some people naively believe .” God knew why he made us the way we are and our mother tongue is better than any othe language so we must be proud of speak our local dialects than rattling tattling the foreign languages we are so glued to . “We must use our local language in all transactions ; trade, education, science, mathematics, technology, finance, media, administration etc . It’s by doing this that our indigenous languages will be preserved and treasured . I shudder to advocate that if we are not very careful , we will lose our own dialects in the not too distant future cos we communicate with our children in foreign language and this is not the best “, he decried . He grieved that as a result of language imperialism, all our books, documents, gatherings, meetings, functions and engagements have been in foreign language to the detriment of the less or the uneducated majority who may be more wise than the elites. He repeatedly called on the authorities to decolonise and break the neck of this obnoxious system of ‘LANGUAGE IMPERIALISM’ if even it demands a national dialogue. Touching on the translated Constitution of the 1992 into Akwapim Twi he praised the translator for a very giant academic breakthrough. He intimated that countries like : Bolivia,South Africa and Tanzania have done a similar thing and this has tremendously impacted on the country’s political exercise , understanding and participation. He reasoned that the day’s occasion would forever be remembered as a day of Akan studies and literacy upliftment . The day marks a jubilant day the non English speakers would also be part of our constitutional dispensation. He praised the translator unceasingly for his historic endeavour for the constitution closer to the masses . Despite it being in Akwapim Twi it can benefit all Akan language speakers of about 44% of the country’s population which cover 9 out of the 16 regions of Ghana , even to non Akans who understand the Akan language across the country . He once again praised the translator for taking this bold arduous task that took him eight long years to complete his work. “Elsewhere, this would have been a national event because it’s extremely great achievement and the translator deserves a national award for his effort. “We all have to celebrate the trail blazer for this applaudable feat , in fact Mr Kwasi Opare Esq. must be rewarded and celebrated by the state ” ,he postulated. The erudite Professor appealed to the traditional leaders,academia, duty bearers, students, the legal fraternity, politicians and all well-meaning Ghanaians to patronise and use the book in their daily lives. An auction of first 20 copies of the book yielded 25,000 ghc. The chairman for the occasion was Nana Ansah Kwao, the chief of Adumasa in Akwapim Traditional Area also lauded the work of Lawyer Kwasi Opare for his wonderful piece .