By Marie Aziz Tunde
The Western Regional Station of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Twin-city radio in collaboration with the Western Regional Centre for National Culture and Love For Ahanta Project has launched an Ahanta Program which is the language of indigenes of Sekondi-Takoradi and its environs.
Ahanta however is a language that seems to be extinct in view of the fact that indigenes speak Fante. It is rare to hear indigenes speak Ahanta and visitors to the Metropolis are sometimes in disbelief that there is another language other than the widely spoken Fante.
It is against this backdrop that the Western Regional Director of GBC, Alfred Osmond Hughes in consultation with Management of the Corporation has decided to use its medium to re-awaken the Ahanta language.
The event which was held at the forecourt of Twin City Radio was the climax of the month-long activities of this year’s Heritage Month celebration. According to Mr. Hughes, the re-ignition of the Ahanta programme on its airwaves is in line with GBC’s mandate of promoting and projecting cultural issues with regard to the various Ghanaian languages, norms and customs and practices.
“Per its location, it is the mandate of the Twin-City radio to promote the Ahanta language which is the indigenous language of the people within the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis” Mr. Hughes added.
The Omanhene of the Essikado Traditional Council, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, who was Guest Speaker at the event said, ”language is one of the most important parts of any culture and for any culture to be understood, lived with and passed on, it will depend on language”.
Nana Kobina Nketsia and Ahanta himself bemoaned the fact that he can not speak the language but supported the need to put it back on radio as a first step of getting indigenes to identify with it. He said “through language,
people are able to communicate with one another, build relationships, and create a sense of community.”
The Convenor for the Love for Ahanta Project, Reverend Charles King Arthur also an Ahanta but can not speak the language appealed to parents to speak and teach their children to speak their native languages instead of only English.
“In most Ghanaian homes today, parents have made English their mode of communication which makes them feel displaced and even confused”, Mr. King Arthur emphasized.
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The Omanhene of the Apremdo, Traditional Area Nana Egya Kwamina XI who chaired the event commended the Regional Director of the Corporation and for that matter the entire Management of GBC for the move emphasizing that ”It will go a long way towards solidifying efforts at getting Ahanta’s to be proud of their language, speak and also teach their wards.”
The Programme “ AXINDA XI BOMUNLLHOLE “, Development of the Ahanta land.
will have several segments and also allow listeners to call in.
The event showcased the rich culture of Ahantaman performed by the Nananom Cultural Troupe.
