Former Minister of Education, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, has appealed for fresh action toward introducing a single indigenous Ghanaian language as a medium of instruction in schools nationwide.

He made this appeal while speaking at the 8th Opemsuo Lecture hosted by the Ashanti Professionals Club in Kumasi, noting that adopting a common local language for teaching would promote a shared sense of nationhood and enhance students’ academic performance.

His comments have reopened conversations about the role of language in education, especially at the basic school level, where instruction is currently delivered in different local languages based on geographical location.

Also speaking at the event, former First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei Owusu, expressed support for the increased use of Ghanaian languages but proposed that Akan should take precedence in daily communication within the Ashanti Region.

He admitted, however, that making Akan the sole instructional language across the country may pose difficulties given Ghana’s wide range of indigenous languages.

Emphasising the importance of linguistic confidence, he encouraged Asantes to actively use their language in commerce, vocational training, and everyday life. He argued that practical skills, such as vehicle repair, should be taught in Twi rather than foreign languages, stressing that local languages should not be viewed as inferior.

Meanwhile, the Ashanti Professionals Club called on the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to step up public education on the need for a unified language policy in schools, explaining that such a move would boost civic understanding and strengthen national unity.

The proposal is likely to generate continued debate around education policy, literacy advancement, and the preservation of Ghana’s cultural heritage.