Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, is advocating for the decolonization Ghana’s language and promotion of African languages.
Gyakye Quayson is worried that despite being independent for over six decades, Africans still rely heavily on European languages such as English, French, and Portuguese.
“Why should we keep relying on top European languages when we have our own truly defining African languages and rich cultures like Swahili, Hausa, or Akan?” he questioned in his Independence Day message.
He advocated for elevating one of Ghana’s local languages into a common official status across Africa.
“Languages are not just a tool for communication but also form a solid foundation for our cultural identity and sources of pride,” he stressed.
Gyakye Quayson urged Ghanaians to work together to promote the use of local languages in governance, education, and business.
“If we continue to think in the language of the colonizer, we will continue to see ourselves through their eyes,” he cautioned.
The Assin North MP stressed the importance of decolonizing Ghana’s minds, institutions, and policies to reclaim dignity and self-reliance.
“Let us work together, breaking borders, across ethnicities and cross generations to build a tall Africa speaking for itself and determining its own course,” he said.
