Language

Languages in Ghana

Ghana is remarkably multilingual, with English as the official language and over 80 indigenous languages spoken across the country.

English (Official Language)

Proficiency: High, especially in urban areas and among educated population

Usage: Government, business, education, media

L2 Speakers: 9.8 million (out of 33.5 million population)

Advantages for Expats: Can navigate daily life entirely in English in cities

Ghanaian English:

• British spelling and pronunciation influence
• Local expressions and slang
• "Pidgin English" common in informal settings
• Some pronunciation differences from British/American English

Major Indigenous Languages

Akan Languages (most widely spoken)

Twi (Asante Twi and Akuapem Twi):

• ~44% native speakers
• 80% of Ghanaians speak as first or second language
• Dominant in Ashanti, Eastern, Central regions
• Most useful language for expats to learn

Fante:

• Akan dialect
• Spoken in Central and Western coastal regions
• Mutually intelligible with Twi to some degree

Other Major Languages:

Government-Sponsored Languages

11 languages have official recognition for government use:

• Akan dialects: Akuapem Twi, Asante Twi, Fante
• Ewe, Ga, Dangme
• Dagaare, Dagbanli
• Gonja, Kasem, Nzema

For Expats: Which Language to Learn?

English: Sufficient for daily life in cities

Twi: Most useful indigenous language

• Widely understood across Ghana
• Opens doors culturally
• Shows respect and integration effort
• Useful in markets for better prices

Common Twi Phrases:

Learning Resources

Twi Language:

• University of Ghana Twi courses
• "Learning Akan (Twi)" by Clement Akasah Appah
• YouTube channels: Learn Akan, Ghana Languages
• Apps: Ando, uTalk Twi
• Local language schools in Accra

Community Practice:

• Language exchange meetups
• Church services (often in Twi)
• Market interactions
• Local friends and neighbors

Language in Different Contexts

Business: English dominates

Government/Legal: English is official language

Education: English medium, local languages in early grades

Markets: Mix of English and local languages (especially Twi in Accra)

Rural Areas: English proficiency lower, local languages dominant

Taxis/Tro-tros: Mix of English and Twi

Cultural Considerations

Code-Switching: Ghanaians frequently switch between English and local languages

Respect: Learning even basic Twi phrases shows respect

Integration: Language ability accelerates cultural integration

Business: English proficiency assumed in formal business

Social: Ghanaians appreciate efforts to learn local languages

Regional Variation

Accra: English + Ga + Twi

Kumasi: Twi dominant

Volta Region: Ewe primary

Northern Region: Dagbani and other Northern languages

Coastal Areas: Fante, Ga, Ewe depending on specific location