Ga Community Slams Ministry Over Language Exclusion
The Ga community has expressed outrage and disappointment over the Ministry of Education’s decision to exclude the Ga language from its AI tools development initiative. The ministry had announced plans to develop speech recognition and AI tools in local languages such as Twi, Ewe, and Dagbani, as part of a $37 million investment by Google in Africa.
According to the press statement issued by Oboade Notse, King, Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, the exclusion of the Ga language is discriminatory and unacceptable. The statement warns that if the issue is not addressed, it may exacerbate the marginalization of the Ga and Ga-Dangme communities in the Greater Accra region.
The Ga community is threatening to take drastic action, including a massive demonstration and legal action, if the ministry does not reverse its decision. The community argues that the exclusion of the Ga language undermines self-esteem, fosters social isolation, and perpetuates systemic disunity.
According to reports, the Minister of Education, Honorable Haruna Iddrisu, had announced the initiative, highlighting its focus on non-standard speech to make digital learning more accessible. However, the Ga community is questioning the ministry’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
The ministry has been urged to address the matter with urgency, with the Ga community awaiting clarification on whether the exclusion was an oversight or intentional. The incident has sparked concerns about the government’s commitment to promoting local languages and cultures.
The outcome of this controversy is being closely watched, with many awaiting the ministry’s response to the Ga community’s demands.
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Author: Korkor Anumu
