President John Dramani Mahama has urged parents, teachers and traditional leaders to make the teaching and use of Ghanaian indigenous languages a priority among children to help preserve the country’s cultural heritage.
He said indigenous languages play an important role in preserving cultural identity, strengthening family relationships and passing traditions and values from one generation to another.
President Mahama made the call at the Guan Congress 2026 held at Anum in the Asuogyaman District of the Eastern Region.
The congress brought together traditional leaders, members of Guan communities and cultural groups to promote unity, preserve the identity of the Guan people and address development concerns affecting their communities.
The event was held in Anum for the first time in 30 years, providing an opportunity for members of various Guan communities to reconnect and discuss issues affecting their traditional areas.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, President Mahama encouraged Ghanaians across all ethnic groups to speak their indigenous languages at home and ensure their children also learn them.
He said the Bureau of Ghana Languages was prepared to collaborate with Guan communities to develop the orthography of their various languages as part of efforts to document, preserve and promote them.
President Mahama stressed that the responsibility of preserving indigenous languages should not rest solely with traditional authorities, noting that parents and teachers also have an important role in ensuring children remain connected to their linguistic and cultural heritage.
The National President of the Guan Congress and Ankobeahene of Larteh Ahenease, Enyineh Gyadu Nkansah III, said the congress was established to unite Guan communities and mobilise their resources for development.
He appealed to President Mahama and the Constitutional Review Committee to review aspects of the Chieftaincy Act to give chiefs who are not represented on the Houses of Chiefs more meaningful roles in traditional governance.
According to him, such reforms could contribute to resolving chieftaincy disputes and promoting peace.
The guest speaker, Buipewura Abdulai Jinapor II, Paramount Chief of the Buipe Traditional Area, also called on Guan chiefs to remain united and present a common position on issues affecting their communities.
He urged traditional authorities to protect Guan lands from encroachment while ensuring that their communities benefit fairly from national development.
Buipewura Jinapor II further encouraged the chiefs to support policies and initiatives that protect the interests of both present and future generations.
By: Prince Martey-Sogar