Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, has ordered the Ghana Education Service (GES) to enforce the compulsory use of local languages as the medium of instruction in all schools across the country, marking a significant shift in the nation’s education policy.
The directive, announced during the launch of the Free Tertiary Education Programme for Persons Living with Disabilities, is part of the government’s broader education reform agenda aimed at improving learning outcomes and preserving Ghana’s linguistic heritage.
Mr. Iddrisu said the policy, which takes effect immediately, underscores President Mahama’s “reset agenda” for the education sector. “From today, the use of mother tongue instruction is compulsory in all Ghanaian schools,” he said. “The GES is to ensure strict enforcement of this directive.”
The minister emphasized that early instruction in local languages has been shown to enhance comprehension and cognitive development among young learners. The initiative is expected to primarily impact basic education, where foundational language skills play a critical role in academic success.
While the move has drawn praise from advocates of cultural preservation and inclusive education, education analysts say effective implementation will require adequate teacher training and the development of teaching materials in multiple Ghanaian languages.
