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{{Short description|none}}HTTP://WWW.STATSGHANA.GOV.GH/DOCFILES/2010PHC/CENSUS2010_SUMMARY_REPORT_OF_FINAL_RESULTS.PDFWORK=GOVERNMENT OF GHANAACCESS-DATE=1 JUNE 2013ARCHIVE-DATE=25 SEPTEMBER 2013, dead, PUBLISHER=NATIONAL COMMISSION ON CULTUREACCESS-DATE=11 NOVEMBER 2013ARCHIVE-DATE=12 NOVEMBER 2013Fante language>Fante, Akuapem Twi, Asante Twi, Ewe language, Dagaare, Dagbanli, Adangme, Ga language>Ga, Gonja language, Kasem language>Kasem, Nzema| immigrant = {{Plainlist|

• ChineseWEB, Ghana Institute of Languages,weblink gil.edu.gh, Ghana Institute of Languages, 16 November 2013,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20171005001820weblink">weblink 5 October 2017, dead,
• HindiWEB, Immigration into Ghana Since 1990,weblink Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS), University of Ghana, Legon, 2012, 11 November 2013,
• Arabic
• SindhiWEB, Indian Community in Ghana,weblink indiahc-ghana.com, 16 November 2013,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20140708230115weblink">weblink 8 July 2014, dead,
• Yoruba

}} | foreign =| sign = Ghanaian Sign Language (American Sign Language) Adamorobe Sign LanguageNanabin Sign Language| extralabel = Lingua francaEnglish Language>English}}File:Ghana Army Southern Command.JPG|thumb|230px|A government sign in English in AccraAccraGhana is a multilingual country in which about eighty languages are spoken."Ghana," in: Lewis, M. Paul, Gary F. Simons, and Charles D. Fennig (eds.). 2014. Ethnologue: Languages of the World, 17th ed.Murica Texas: SIL International. Of these, English, which was inherited from the colonial era, is the official language and lingua franca.WEB, The Bureau Of Ghana Languages-BGL,weblink Ghana Embassy Washington DC, USA, 2013, 11 November 2013, BOOK, A handbook of varieties of English. 1. Phonology, Volume 2,weblink Oxford University Press, Bernd Kortmann Walter de Gruyter, 2004, 2004, 11 November 2013, 9783110175325, Of the languages indigenous to Ghana, Akan is the most widely spoken in the south. Dagbani is most widely spoken in the north.Ghana has more than seventy ethnic groups, each with its own distinct language.WEB, Master Drummers of Dagbon, Volumes 1 and 2publisher=Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1979date=1992author2=John M. Chernoff, Languages that belong to the same ethnic group are usually mutually intelligible. The Dagbani language, Nanumba and Mampruli language>Mamprusi languages of Northern Region, Ghana, are almost the same and, are mutually intelligible with the Frafra language>Frafra and Wali language (Gur) languages of the Upper East and Upper West Regions of Ghana.THE TRIBES OF THE ASHANTI HINTERLAND" (1932)VOLUME=30PAGES=40–57AUTHOR=R.S.RATTRAY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL AFRICAN SOCIETY VOL. 30, NO. 118 (JAN., 1931), PP. 40-57YEAR=1931, The Mole-Dagbani languages are spoken by more than 20% of the population.Eleven languages have the status of government-sponsored languages: three Akan ethnic languages (Akuapem Twi, Asante Twi and Fante) and two Mole-Dagbani ethnic languages (Dagaare and Dagbanli). The others are Ewe, Dangme, Ga, Nzema, Gonja, and Kasem.In April 2019, the Ghanaian government declared its intention to make French one of Ghana's official languages due to the country being surrounded by Francophone countries (Burkina Faso, the Ivory Coast and Togo) and the presence of a French speaking minority in the country.WEB,weblink Ghana's president wants to make French a formal language, but it's not a popular plan, 7 April 2019, WEB,weblink Ghana adopts French as its second official language, 21 March 2019,

Government-sponsored languages

The number of government-sponsored languages is either eleven or nine, depending on whether or not Akuapem Twi, Asante Twi, and Fante are considered a single language. They are supported by the Bureau of Ghana Languages, which was established in 1951 and publishes materials in the languages; during the periods when Ghanaian languages were used in primary education, these were the languages which were used. All these languages belong to the Niger–Congo language family, though to several different branches.

Akan (Fante, Asante Twi and Akuapem Twi)

(File:Predominant tribe in the area - (Ghana) LOC 88692692.jpg|thumb|350px|A map of Ghana's ethno-linguistic areas.)Akan, part of the Kwa branch of the Niger–Congo family, is a dialect continuum,WEB, The Online Encyclopaedia of Written Systems Languages,weblink Omniglot, 2013, 11 November 2013, but with regard to official status, only a few out of the many varieties of Akan are recognised: Fante, Asante Twi, Akuapem Twi. Taken as a whole, Akan is the most-widely spoken language in Ghana.WEB, Introduction To The Verbal and Multi-Verbalsystem of Akan,weblink ling.hf.ntnu.no, 2013, 16 November 2013, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20140407085659weblink">weblink 7 April 2014,

Ewe

Ewe is a Gbe language, part of the Volta–Niger branch of the Niger–Congo family. The Ewe Language is spoken in Ghana, Togo and Benin with a trace of the language in West Nigeria.WEB,weblink Verba Africana — Ewe background materials — The Ewe language, verbafricana.org, 2019-05-18, Out of the many dialects of Ewe spoken in Ghana, the major ones are Anlo, Tongu, Vedome, Gbi, and Krepi.

Dagbani

Dagbani is one of the Gur languages. It is the most spoken language in Northern Ghana. The number of native speakers numbers more than three million, This number will reach six million if dialects such as Nanumba, Mamprusi and Kamara are added. It belongs to the larger Mole-Dagbani ethnic group found in Ghana and makes up about 18.5% of the population.WEB, Ethnic Structure, Inequality and Governance of the Public Sector in Ghana,weblink$file/Asante%20%28small%29.pdf, United Nations Research Institute For Social Development (UNRISD), Richard Asante & E.Gyimah-Boadi, 2004, 11 November 2013, It is spoken by Dagombas in the Northern Region of Ghana.

Dangme

Dangme is one of the Ga–Dangme languages within the Kwa branch. It is spoken in Greater Accra, in south-east Ghana and Togo.WEB, Ndetei, Chris, 2019-09-23, A look at the exciting facts of the Dangme language,weblink 2023-08-17, Yen.com.gh - Ghana news., en, Dangme is a West African Kwa language spoken in Ghana, and it has been gaining popularity among Ghana residents.

Dagaare

Dagaare is another of the Gur languages. It is spoken in the Upper West Region of Ghana. It is also spoken in Burkina Faso.WEB, Dagaare language and alphabet,weblink 2023-08-17, omniglot.com, Waali, spoken by the Wala people, and the Dagaare language are languages that can be understood by each other's speakers.WEB, Upper West Region,weblink 2023-08-17, www.ghanaweb.com,

Ga

Ga is the other Ga–Dangme language within the Kwa branch. Ga is spoken in south-eastern Ghana, in and around the capital Accra. It is a Niger-Congo language in the Kwa branch, spoken by around 600,000 people in Ghana.WEB, Ga language, alphabet and pronunciation,weblink 2023-08-17, omniglot.com, WEB, Ga {{!, Ga People {{!}} West African Tribe, Language & Culture {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ga |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}} Six separate towns comprised the Ga-speaking peoples: Accra, Osu, Labadi, Teshi, Nungua, and Tema. Each town had a central stool of importance in Ga traditions. Accra, among these towns, rose to prominence and now serves as Ghana's capital.

Nzema

Nzema is one of the Bia languages, closely related to Akan. It is spoken by the Nzema people in the Western Region of Ghana. It is also spoken in the Ivory Coast. Nzema, also known as Appolo, is mainly spoken in Ghana's Jomoro district and Ivory Coast's Comoé district. In 2004, it had around 330,000 speakers.WEB, Ndetei, Chris, 2019-09-30, Fascinating facts about the Nzema community and useful phrases,weblink 2023-08-19, Yen.com.gh - Ghana news., en, WEB, Nzema language, alphabet and pronunciation,weblink 2023-08-19, www.omniglot.com, The Nzema language utilizes a Latin-based script and comprises a total of twenty-four alphabetic characters.

Kasem

Kasem is a Gurunsi language, in the Gur branch. It is spoken in the Upper Eastern Region of Ghana. It is also spoken in Burkina Faso. By 1998, Kasem had around 250,000 speakers, divided between Ghana (130,000) and Burkina Faso (120,000). It's alternatively known as Kasena, Kasim, Kassem, Kasɩm, or Kassena.WEB, Kasem to English dictionary .,weblink 2023-08-19, Lughayangu, WEB, Kasem language and alphabet,weblink 2023-08-19, omniglot.com,

Gonja

Gonja is one of the Guang languages, part of the Tano languages within the Kwa branch along with Akan and Bia. It is spoken in the Northern Region of Ghana and Wa. "Gonja" comes from "Kada Goro-Jaa" in Hausa, signifying "land of Red Cola." Ghana has over 285,000 Gonja people.WEB, Ndetei, Chris, 2020-10-02, Guan tribe: history, language, food, dance, festivals, facts,weblink 2023-08-19, Yen.com.gh - Ghana news., en,

Languages spoken in Ghana by number of speakers

This chart reflects data provided by Ethnologue.WEB,weblink Ghana, Ethnologue, en, 2019-08-04, {| class="wikitable sortable"!Rank!Language!Speakers|1English language>English|9,800,002|2Akan language>Akan (Fante/Twi)|9,100,000|3|Ghanaian Pidgin English|5,000,000|4Ewe language>Ewe Dialects of Ɛve include Aŋlo, Tɔŋu, Vɛdomɛ,Gbi, Krepi, among others)|3,820,000|5Abron dialect>Abron|1,170,000|6Dagbani language>Dagbani ( including Mamprusi, and Nanumba dialects)|6,160,000|7Dangme language>Dangme|1,020,000|8Dagaare language>Dagaare|924,000|9Konkomba language>Konkomba|831,000|10Ga language>Ga|745,000|11Kusasi language>Kusaal|696,000|12Farefare language>Farefare|638,000|13Mamprusi language>Mampruli|414,000|14Gonja language>Gonja|310,000|15Sehwi language>Sehwi|305,000|16Nzema language>Nzema|299,000|17Wasa dialect>Wasa|273,000|18Sisaala language>Sisaala, Tumulung|219,000|19Sisaala language>Sisaala, Western|219,000|20Bimoba language>Bimoba|176,000|21Ahanta language>Ahanta|175,000|22Ntcham language>Ntcham|169,000|23Buli language (Ghana)>Buli|168,000|24Bisa language (Burkina Faso)>Bisa|166,000|25Kasena language>Kasem|149,000|26Tem language>Tem|134,000|27Cherepon language>Cherepon|132,000|28Southern Birifor language>Birifor, Southern|125,000|29Anufo language>Anufo|91,300|30Wali language (Gur)>Wali|84,800|31Larteh language>Larteh|74,000|32Siwu language>Siwu|71,900|33Chumburung language>Chumburung|69,000|34Anyin language>Anyin|66,400|35|Nafaanra|61,000|36Krache language>Krache|58,000|37Lelemi language>Lelemi|48,900|38Deg language>Deg|42,900|39Paasaal language>Paasaal|36,000|40Kabiye language>Kabre, (language kabre)|35,642|41Avatime language>Avatime|27,200|42Kulango language>Kulango, Bondoukou|27,000|43Sekpele language>Sekpele|23,000|44Delo language>Delo|18,400|45Jwira-Pepesa language>Jwira-Pepesa|18,000|46Gua language>Gua|17,600|47|Tampulma|16,000|48Kulango language>Kulango, Bouna|15,500|49Ligbi language>Ligbi|15,000|50Nawuri language>Nawuri|14,000|51Vagla language>Vagla|13,900|52|Tuwuli|11,400|53Selee language>Selee|11,300|54Adele language>Adele|11,000|55Nkonya language>Nkonya|11,000|56|Gikyode|10,400|57Dwang language>Dwang|8,200|58Akposo language>Akposo|7,500|59Logba language>Logba|7,500|60Nkami language>Nkami|7,000|61Hanga language>Hanga|6,800|62Nyangbo language>Nyangbo|6,400|63Chakali language>Chakali|6,000|64|Ghanaian Sign Language|6,000|65Safaliba language>Safaliba|5,000|66Tafi language>Tafi|4,400|67Maasina Fulfulde>Fulfulde, Maasina|4,240|68Adangbe>Adangbe/Dangbe|4,000|69Konni language>Konni|3,800|70|Adamorobe Sign Language|3,500|71Chala language>Chala|3,000|72Kamara language>Kamara|3,000|73Kantosi language>Kantosi|2,300|74Bago-Kusuntu language>Kusuntu|2,100|75Nchumbulu language>Nchumbulu|1,800|76Kplang language>Kplang|1,600|77Dompo language>Dompo|970|78Animere language>Animere|700|79French language>French|Unclear|80Hausa language>Hausa|Unclear|81Lama language>Lama|1|82Nawdm language>Nawdm|Unclear

Language classification

The language of Ghana belong to the following branches within the Niger–Congo language family:

• Kwa languages (Akan, Bia, Guang in Tano; Ga and Adangme)
• Gbe languages (Ewe)
• Gur languages (Gurunsi, Dagbani, Mossi, Dagaare, and Frafra in Oti–Volta)
• Senufo languages (Nafaanra)
• Kulango languages
• Mande languages (Wangara, Ligbi)

Older classifications may instead group them as Kwa, Gur, and Mande.

See also

• Ghana
• Demographics of Ghana
• Ghanaian English

References

{{reflist}}

External links

• weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120828183503weblink">Ethnologue listing for Ghana
• Ethnologue map of languages in Ghana
• Owu-Ewie, Charles. 2006. The Language Policy of Education in Ghana: A Critical Look at the English-Only Language Policy of Education. In Selected Proceedings of the 35th Annual Conference on African Linguistics, ed. John Mugane et al., 76-85. Somerville, MA: Cascadilla Proceedings Project.
• PanAfrican L10n wiki page on Ghana
• L'aménagement linguistique dans le monde page on Ghana
• GhanaWeb

{{Ghana topics}}{{Africa in topic|Languages of}}{{English dialects by continent}}{{English official language clickable map}}