Ghana has marked a new milestone in the promotion of its indigenous languages. On 5th September 2025, the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Ajumako Campus, saw the first batch of students offering Sisaala and Likpakpaaln successfully complete their four-year degree programmes. The students are now subject to graduate in December 2025, pending official confirmation.
The two programmes were introduced by the Faculty of Ghanaian Languages Education in 2021 under the Department of Gur–Gonja Education. This department oversees languages largely spoken in the northern parts of Ghana and currently has the widest spread of language units, including Gonja, Dagbani, Dagaare, Kasem, Kusaal, Gurene, and now Sisaali and Likpakpaaln.
Sissala is a Gur language spoken mainly around Tumu in the Upper West Region and across the border in Burkina Faso. Likpakpaaln, widely known as Konkomba, is spoken predominantly by the Konkomba people in the Northern Region. Their inclusion in the UEW curriculum was a deliberate step to ensure that these important languages are given academic attention and trained teachers for Ghana’s schools.
As part of their training, students majoring in Sisaala and Likpakpaaln were also given the opportunity to pursue minors in other fields such as English, French, German, and Linguistics. This cross-disciplinary approach equips graduates with broader skills to meet both national and international academic and professional demands.
UEW–Ajumako Campus remains the only institution in Ghana solely dedicated to the academic study of Ghanaian languages from the bachelor’s level through to the PhD. The Faculty of Ghanaian Languages Education is made up of four departments:
- Department of Akan–Nzema Education – offering Asante Twi, Akuapem Twi, Fante, and Nzema.
- Department of Ewe Education – with Ewe as the sole language.
- Department of Ga–Dangme Education – offering Ga and Dangme.
- Department of Gur–Gonja Education – housing Gonja, Dagbani, Dagaare, Kasem, Kusaal, Gurene, Sisaali, and Likpakpaaln.
By completing their degrees, the pioneer Sisaala and Likpakpaaln students have paved the way for future students and signalled Ghana’s growing commitment to preserving and promoting its rich linguistic diversity.
Editor: Ama Gyesiwaa Quansah
