LANGUAGES IN GHANA AND WHERE THEY ARE SPOKEN
Find the location of indigenous speakers of all Ghanaian Languages; trace your roots.
When Ghana became independent in 1957, the national leaders sought a new name that would represent the wealth and the symbolic gain of freedom from her colonial masters, Britain. It was an enviable feat that was really revered by people from far and near. The name Ghana was not just appropriate, but an emphatic statement to showcase the pride and the flamboyance of the new state. Like her namesake, the Ghana empire of the ancient past Medieval West Africa, she was known for the mineral wealth
Ghana is divided into 16 administrative regions, which are further divided into 216 administrative districts. There are currently 145 ordinary districts; 109 Municipal assemblies and 6 Metropolitan assemblies. Ghana is a highly multilingual country, with up to eighty (80) languages, spoken by the over seventy (70) ethnic groups. Even though each of these ethnic groups has its own distinct language, languages that belong to the same ethnic group are mutually intelligible (or comprehensible).
Out of these languages, the English language, which was bequeathed to Ghana by her colonial masters is the nationwide official language and lingua-franca. Among the indigenous Ghanaian languages, the most widely spoken is the Akan languages. Even though there many varieties or offshoots of the Akan language as an umbrella language, only three are recognized – Akuapim Twi, Asante Twi and Fante
Languages in Ghana are known to have emanated from the Old Ghana Empire. Through migration down south to the present-day location of the Republic of Ghana, other ethnic groups moved in to settle in Ghana in addition to the Mole-Dagbanis and the Bonos.
The Akan, Dagbani, Ewe, Ga-Adangbe, Bissa/Mande, Gurma, Fulani, Guan and Gurunsi are the major ethic groups in Ghana. The Akan, being the largest ethnic group among all the ethnic groups in Ghana, form over 47% of the Ghanaian population.
The languages are therefore classified under the various branches of the Niger-Congo languages family. The Akan, Bia, Guang in Tano, Ga and Dangme belong to the Kwa branch of the Niger-Congo family.
The Ewe language belong to the Gbe languages of the Volta-Niger branch Niger-Congo family. The Ewe language is spoken in Ghana, Togo and Benin, with pockets of it in Western Nigeria. Of the many dialects of the Ewe language spoken in Ghana, the most popular of them are Anlo, Tongu, Gbi, Vedome, and Krepi.
The Gurunsi, Dagbani, Mossi, Dagaare and Frafra in the Oti-Volta regions belong to the Gur branch of the Niger-Congo family.
The Nafaanra belongs to the Senufo languages branch of the Niger-Congo family.
The Wangara and Ligbi languages belong to the Mende languages branch.
The Mole-Dagbani ethnic group has four (4) languages (Dagbani, Mampelle, Frafra and Waali), which are spoken among the Mole Dagbanis of Northern region and those of the Upper West Region. For instance, the Dagbani and the Mampelle languages of the Northern region are mutually intelligible with the Frafra and Waali languages of the Upper West region and Upper East regions.
Of the over eighty languages, nine (or eleven) are government-sponsored or written and studied in Schools. From the Bureau of Ghanaian Languages, if the Akan languages are encapsulated as one, then the Government-sponsored languages become nine (9). If they are however classified into their individual Akuapim Twi, Asante Twi and Fante, the languages that are sponsored by the Government become eleven (11).
1. Akan (Akuapim Twi, Asante Twi, Fante)
2. Ewe
3. Dagbani
4. Dangme
5. Gonja
6. Nzema
7. Dagaare
8. Kasem
9. Ga
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Akan (Fante/Twi), Ghanaian Pidgin English, Ewe (Anlo/Tongu/Vedeme/Krepi/others), Abron, Dagbani, Dangme, Dagaare, Konkomba, Ga, Farefare, Kusaal, Mampruli, Gonja, Sehwi, Nzema Sisaala (Tumulung), Wassa, Bimoba, Ahanta, Buli, Bisa, Kasem, Tem, Cherepon, Birifor (Southern), Anufo, Wali, Larteh, Tiwu, Chumburung, Anyin, Nafaanre, Krache, Lelemi, Deg, Paasaal, Kabre, Awutu, Kulango, Bondoukou, Sekpele, Delo, Jwira-Pepesa, Gua, Tampulma, Ligbi, Kulango, Bouna, Nawuri, Vagla, Tuwuli, Selee, Adele, Nkonya, Gikyode, Dwane, Akposo, Logba, Nkami, Hanga, Nyangbo, Chakali, Ghanaian Sigh Language, Safaliba, Tafi, Fulfulde, Maasina, Adangbe/Dangme, Konni, Adamorobe Sign Language, Chala, Kamara, Kantosi, Nchumbulu, Kplang, Dompo, Animere, Hausa, Lama and Nawdm.
The Akan language is predominantly spoken in the Ashanti, Bono, Central and the Eastern regions. Due to rural-urban migration however, these dialects of the Akan origin can be heard in the urban centres, as well as locations of vibrant commercial activities outside of these regions.
1. The Ghanaian Pidgin Language is usually commonly spoken among students. It is a common language used between the educated and their not-so-educated or illiterate household employees (security man, houseboy, errands personnel, etc). In cosmopolitan areas where youngsters converge on a purpose, many feel comfortable using the Pidgin English.
2. Ewe is spoken by the people of the Volta region.
3. Abron or Bono is spoken by the people of Bono and Ahafo regions, and the people of eastern Ivory Coast
4. Dagbani is spoken by the people of the Northern region.
5. Ga/Dangme is spoken by the 7 ethnic groups including the Krobos, Ada, Prampram, Shai, Ningo, Kpone and Osu-Doku. The language is spoken in the Accra plains in the Greater Accra region, part of the Akuapim mountains and the Afram plains basin, both in the Eastern region.
6. Dagaare/Waale is spoken by the people of the Upper West region
7. Adele is spoken by the people of Tutukpene and Nkwanta in the Oti region
8. Konkomba is spoken by the people of Saboba in the Northern region and some parts of the Oti region
9. Kusaal is spoken by the Kusaasi people of Bawku in the Upper East region
10. Mampruli is spoken by the people of Nalerigu in the North-East region
11. Gonja is spoken by the people of the Gonja area of the Northern region
12. Sefwi is spoken by the people of Western North region
13. Nzema is spoken by the people from the Nzema are of the Western region
14. Sisaala (Tumulung) is spoken by the people of Tumu in the Upper West region
15. Wassa, which is partially intelligible with Fante and Twi is spoken by the people of Western region
16. Bimoba is spoken by the people of Bunkpurugu in the North East region
17. Ahanta is spoken by the people of Takoradi in the Western region
18. Buli is spoken by the people of Sandema in the Northern region
19. Bisa is spoken by the Bissa people from the Mende ethnic group of the Upper East region. The language is also spoken in southern Burkina Faso, northwestern Nigeria and north most part of Togo.
20. Kasem is spoken by the people of Navorongo in the Upper East region
21. Tem or Kotokoli is spoken by the people of Koue, a small border town on the Ghana-Togo border in the northern part of the Volta region. The language is also spoken in Togo and Benin.
22. Cherepon is spoken in Koforidua and parts of Larteh, both in the Eastern region.
25. Birifor is spoken by the people of Bilema and Danvar in the Upper West region. There two variants of the Birifor language; Southern Birifor (Spoken in Ghana) and Northern Birifor (Spoken in Burkina Faso). These two varieties are not mutually intelligible
26. Anufo/ Chokosi is spoken by the people of Chereponi in the Northern region.
27. Wali is spoken in the Upper West region
28. Larteh is spoken by the people of Adawso and its environs in the Eastern region
29. Chumburung is spoken by the people of Ekumdipe in the Savana region and Yeji in the Bono east region. Of the 69,000 persons who speak the Chumburung language, 3,000 of them speak the Yeji (Yedji) dialect. The language is mostly spoken by people from the Chumburu tribe in the Chumburung kingdom, who can be found on either side of the southwestern divide of the Volta lake.
30. Anyin is spoken by the people of Aowin, Suaman, Abron North, Nzema south in the Western region of Ghana and some parts of the Ivory Coast.
31. Nafaanra is spoken by the people of Banda Ahenkro, Jaman North, Jaman South, and Tain, all in the in the Bono region and Bole District of the Northern region
32. Krache is spoken by the people of Kete Krache in the Oti region.
33. Lelem/Buem is spoken by the people of Jasikan and Bodada in the Oti region
34. Deg/Mo are spoken by the people of Longoro and Bamboi in the Northern region
35. Paasaale is spoken in the Southern part of Tumu and Eastern part of Wa, both in the Upper West region and in the western Gonja district of the Northern region
36. Kabre/Kabye/Kabiye is mostly spoken by the people of northern Togo, Benin and Ghana
37. Awutu is spoken by some close to 200,000 coastal dwellers in Ghana. There are two other minor dialects; Afutu and Senya. Some of the principal places of abode are Winneba, Adina and Senya-Beraku.
38. Kulango is spoken by the people of Badu and Seikwa, in theTain District, and Buni in the Jaman North district of the Bono region. A smaller proportion of of speakers can also be found in and around Wenchi in the Bono region and Techiman in the Bono east region.
39. Bondoukou, is one of the varieties of the Kulango language. It is spoken by the people of Badu and Seikwa, in theTain District, and Buni in the Jaman North district of the Bono region. A smaller proportion of of speakers can also be found in and around Wenchi in the Bono region and Techiman in the Bono east region. Some of the communities include Asubingya (Asubinja) and Nkonsia.
40. Sekpele is spoken by the people of the northern part of Hohoe in the Volta region.
41. Delo, also called Ntrubo is spoken by the people of Pusupu in the Nkwanta South district of the Oti region
42. Jwira-Pepesa; Jwira is spoken by the people of Jwira North of Axim on the Bamiankaw – Humjibere stretch alon the Ankobra river in the Western North region; whereas Pepesa is spoken by the people Wassa Dompim along the Agona Nkwanta – Tarkwa road in the Western region.
43. Gua, also known as Gwa, is a Guan language, which dialects are spoken by many people across Ghana. It is spoken by the Gonjas in the Northern region, Larteh in the eastern region, some groups in the Oti region, Senya Bereku and Winneba, both in the Central region. Gua/Gwa is also sometimes referred to as Anum-Boso.
44. Tampulma is spoken in the Northern region.
45. Ligbi, is spoken by the people of Sampa, near Wenchi and Numasa all in the Bono region Brong-Ahafo region: Numasa, east of Sampa, northwest of Wenchi
46. Bouna is one of the Kulango languages that are spoken by some Kulangos in ivory Coast and across the border in Badu and Seikwa in the Tain district and Buni in the Jaman North district, all in the Bono region of Ghana.
47. Nawuri is spoken by the people of Kpandai and Kitara (in Salaga) in the Northern region and Krachi East and West and Nkwanta North and South in the Oti region.
48. Vagla is spoken by some 14,000 people in various communities in the Northern region. The Vaglas can be found in Nakwabi, Gentilpe, Soma, Tuna, Bole and Sawla.
49. Tuwuli, also known as Tuwili, Bowili, Bowiri, Liwuli, Siwuri or Bawuli is spoken in the Volta region. It is one of the Ghana-Togo mountain languages. The Tuwulis can be found in Amanfro on the Hohoe-Jasikan road in the Volta region.
50. Selee, also called Santrokofi is spoken by the ‘Balεε’ People of the mountainous portion (Benua, Gbodome and Bume) of the volta region and and across the border in Togo. It is considered one of the Ghana – Togo mountain languages
51. Nkonya is spoken by the Nkonya people of Biakoye district in the Oti region
52. Akyode or Gikyode is spoken by the people of some remote villages along the Ghana-Togo border in Nkwanta district of the Oti region.
53. Ikposo, is spoken by the Akposo people, who are mainly found in the plateau region of Togo, near Atakpame and across the border in Ghana. It is one of the Ghana-Togo mountain languages
60. Logba is spoken by the people of Adiveme in the Volta region
61. Nkami is spoken by the people of Amankwa or Amankwakrom in the Afram plains of the Eastern region. The language is endangered, as it is presently spoken by some 400 people.
62. Hanga is one of the Gur languages which is spoken in some communities near the Mole game reserve and some communities in the Damongo district, which include Murugu, all in the Savanah region.
63. Chakali is one of the Gurunsi languages which is spoken in a number of villages in the Wa east district of the Upper West region. They are bordered by Wali and Bulingu speakers.
64. Ghanaian Sign Language is spoken among the deaf in Ghana. It is used as a means of instruction in special Schools for the deaf.
65. Safaliba, also known as Safalaba, Safalba, Safale_ba, Safale̱ba, Safali or Safareba is spoken by the people of Gbenfu villages (Sawla, Kalba, Bote), Manfuli, Tanyire and Mandari, all in the Northern region.
66. Nyangbo-Tafi is spoken in the Volta region. It is one of the Ghana-Togo mountain languages of the Kwa family.
67. Frafra, also called Farefare is spoken by the people of Bolgatanga in the Upper East region.
68. Maasina Fulfulde is a Fula language which is considered the first language of the Fula people. It is spoken by some people in Mali, Ivory Coast and the northern part of Ghana. In Mali, the Maasinankoore, which is a dialect of the broader Maasina Fulfulde language, is the national language. In Ghana, the language is mostly spoken in the upper east and the Northern regions, even though the Nomadic work of the Fula people has made the language spread in smaller pockets to places where they settle and ply their trade.
63. Adamorobe Sign Language (ADSLa) is spoken/used/signed by the people of Adamorobe. Adamorobe is a small community located in a bowl-shaped valley near Aburi in the Eastern region. The sign language was locally developed for the deaf community in Adamrobe. This became necessary due to the unusual occurrence of hereditary transmission of deafness. Due to the high incidences (about 11% of the population being deaf in 1961), the then chief banned marriages among deaf suiters. This and other interventions brought the rate down to about 1.1% in 2012. The language is used by the deaf and most of the hearing in the community. This sign language is different from the urbanized sign language like the Ghanaian sign language, which is highly related to the American sign language.
64. Chala is spoken by the people of Ekumdip and Jadigdbe village in the northern region and Nkwanta; Odomi and Ago in the Oti region
65. Kamara is spoken by over 8,000 speakers in the Larabanga village, Hang language area close to Damongo and a small community near Bole in the Savana region
66. Kantosi or Yadase is spoken by some 3,900 people spread across Sandema, Navrongo, Nalerigu and Bolgatanga in the Upper east region and Kpaliwogo, near Wa in the Upper West region.
67. Nchumbulu is a dialect of the Guan language, which is spoken in some parts of Oti, Bono east, Savana and the Northern regions.
68. Kplang is a Guan language, which is partly intelligible with the neighbouring dialects of the Chumburung language, including Yeji (Yedji). It is spoken by the people of Sene district, Yeji town and its environs, including Prang, all in the Bono east region.
69. Dompo is spoken by a small group of people in Banda in the Bono region. The location of the speakers of this language is surrounded by the speakers of the Nafaanra language. The language is described as a highly endangered language, as speakers are abandoning it and adopting the Nafaanra language. Reports have it that as low as just 65 people in ten households are still speaking the language. The community where these ten houses are located is referred to as “Dompofie”, which means, “home of Dompo”
70. Animere, also called Kunda or Anyimere is spoken by the Benimbere people of Kecheibe and Kunda villages in the Northern part of Volta and some parts of the Oti region.
71. Hausa originated from, and is mainly spoken by the people of Chad. It however became a de-facto cross-border lingua franca among Muslim traders in Sudan, Cameroon, northern part of Nigeria, Niger and Ghana. Not all Hausa speakers are from the Hausa tribe.
72. Lama, which is also sometimes called Lamba or Losso is spoken by a section of people in Togo, Benin and Upper east regional border town of Guenri in the Yendi district.
74. Nawdm is spoken by the Nawdma or the Losso people in the Ho and Kpando area of the Volta region. They originally migrated from Togo to settle in Ghana and the Ivory Coast
75. Koma or Konni is spoken in the Mamprusi District of the Northern region
The writer, Frank Owusu-Asamoah is a passionate Project Leader, a techprenure and a columnist.
Acknowledgements: The following sources provided some data for this work.
1. Joshua Project and link tonet.
2. https://www.ethnologue.com/
4. Rogers Krobea Asante, UEW (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322209720_Introducing_Nkami_A_Forgotten_Guang_Language_and_People_of_Ghana)
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