Ghana’s official reliance on English excludes between 75% and 80% of its citizens from full democratic participation and access to justice. This linguistic barrier creates a ‘hierarchy of citizenship’ where constitutional rights are unevenly accessible. Reforms are actively sought to integrate indigenous languages into governance systems to foster true inclusivity.
Professor Joseph Awetori Yaro, Provost of the College of Humanities at the University of Ghana, stated that language is a structure of power. He made these remarks at a symposium on “Access to Justice and Democratic Participation: The Role of Language.” The symposium brought together scholars from Indiana University and the University of Ghana. Professor Yaro highlighted that only about 20% to 25% of Ghana’s population is proficient in English. This leaves a vast majority unable to understand court proceedings, parliamentary debates, or civic education programs. This limits their engagement with crucial democratic institutions.
This situation directly impacts Ghana’s economic development and social cohesion. Lack of inclusive communication hinders effective public policy implementation and citizen participation in economic decision-making. The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) often relies on English, restricting its outreach to rural communities and informal sector workers. This reinforces existing inequalities and limits economic empowerment for a large segment of the population. The issue also affects the justice system, where court proceedings are in English. This places a heavy burden on interpreters, risking misinterpretations in legal meanings.
Professor Yaro emphasized that such linguistic exclusion prevents citizens from claiming rights and having their voices recognized. He pointed out that while Ghana is a stable democracy, this linguistic divide creates a contradiction. It undermines the very principles of equality and participation that democracy stands for. The debate also touched on how political language shapes economic narratives. It frames visions of national transformation and economic policy direction. Inclusive civic education in local languages is essential for realizing collective empowerment and socio-economic self-determination.
The symposium’s participants stressed the critical role of indigenous languages like Twi, Ga, Ewe, and Dagbani. These languages are vital for grassroots participation, especially through radio and digital platforms. However, formal state communication has not adapted to this linguistic reality. Weak regulation and limited professionalization of court interpreters pose significant risks to judicial fairness. This is especially true when translating complex testimonies in tonal languages, where small variations alter meaning. This can have direct economic consequences in legal disputes.
Emerging digital inequalities also raised concerns among the scholars. Artificial intelligence and translation systems often simplify or distort African linguistic expressions. This leads to a form of cultural and epistemic loss in digital communication. Professor Yaro called for several reforms. These include expanding indigenous languages in civic education and professional certification for court interpreters. Also needed are integration of local languages into education systems and stronger support for language institutions. Investment in technology that reflects African linguistic realities is crucial. He concluded that without inclusive communication, democracy remains incomplete and economic participation is hampered. This symposium underscores the urgent need for policy changes to address these profound challenges. It aims to ensure that all Ghanaians can participate fully in their nation's economic and political life. This is vital for Ghana's long-term prosperity and stability.