THE TOXICITY OF RIDICULE

A viral video of two JHS students struggling with English immediately after writing their English exams has sparked a mockery. In the video, the moment the boys switched to Twi, their confidence became undeniable. This reveals a critical truth that the English language is also a mere tool for communicating thoughts, ideas, experiences and emotions and it’s not different from Twi.

However, while we encourage those learning local dialects, we often penalize those practicing English. This mindset must shift. Mastering English shouldn’t be seen as erasing our identity. Instead, it should be seen as expanding the worldviews of Ghanaians and unlocking doors that remain closed to many.

LANGUAGE AND THE MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR CONTENT GAP

We see incredible creative talent across Ghana, yet much of our social media content is trapped within our borders because it is produced exclusively in local languages. This represents a massive loss in potential revenue to the Ghanaian content creators. Today, there are approximately 1.53 billion English speakers globally.

When a creator chooses English, they apply the same creative effort but gain access to an audience 50 times larger than the Ghanaian market alone. Sadly, we happily share contents created in English by Indians, Lebanese, Arabs and other people whose grammar and accents are terrible but will not forgive a Ghanaian who makes similar effort to reach out to larger followers to earn more from their content. So this becomes good dollars lost from our creative nature.

Consider Nigeria’s Mark Angel Comedy or Broda Shaggi; by utilizing English (and Pidgin English), they have secured tens of millions of followers and reportedly earn hundreds of thousands of dollars monthly in platform monetization and global brand deals.

Similarly, creators like Wode Maya have used English to turn African storytelling into a global business. Our local-language creators are equally talented, but without English fluency, they are working just as hard for a fraction of the reach and income.

THE ENGINE OF TRUE DIGITALIZATION

Beyond entertainment, English fluency is the "software" that runs our digital transformation. While we build fiber-optic networks and digital portals, a lack of fluency in English acts as a silent barrier to their use. Digitalization is effectively a "digital exclusion" if the interface remains a mystery to the user.

To move from a paper-based society to a digital powerhouse, our citizens must be linguistically equipped to navigate complex global apps, secure their data, and participate in the AI-driven "prompt economy." Without fluency in English, our digital highway remains a road with no entrance for many Ghanaians.

BRIDGING AN ECONOMIC LANGUAGE GAP

In the global marketplace, opportunity speaks English and other global languages. While Ghana uses it for governance, a lack of widespread fluency remains a silent economic gap. When citizens cannot navigate the language of international trade, they are effectively locked out of the modern economy.

Language barriers are, fundamentally, economic barriers that stifle national productivity and individual empowerment and prosperity.

GATEKEEPING GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge is power, but access is the key. The vast majority of the world’s scientific, technological, and digital breakthroughs are documented in English. No indigenous Ghanaian language currently holds this volume of data.

Without fluency, our people are cut off from the world’s most valuable intellectual resources. In this sense, English cannot be said to be not a “luxury” but an essential infrastructure for equal opportunity for all Ghanaians.

THE GLOBAL STANDARD OF INCLUSION

Nations like the US, Canada and Australia have many indigenous languages but utilize English to unify diverse populations and ensure an equal economic footing for all citizens. Furthermore, global icons in sports, music, and science, regardless of their native tongue, prioritize English to reach the world.

It is noteworthy that when they make an effort to speak English, we don't mock their accents. We ignore their mistakes. We must extend that same grace and encouragement to our own citizens as they strive to attain fluency in English language as a vital economic tool.

FROM SCHOOL SUBJECT TO LIFE SKILLS

Intricate that English language is a tool, not a foreign identity. We learn Ga, Ewe, Twi, Fante, etc, through everyday use and interactions. We must treat English with the same practical approach.

It shouldn't be a "subject" to be feared, but a living language we should learn to speak in our homes, markets, and workplaces. Fluency in a language is born from daily use and collective support, not just from textbooks classrooms.

THE MEDIA’S ROLE IN GROWTH

With about 563 FM stations and 132 TV stations currently operational, these media platforms are the fastest catalysts for this transformation. In terms of total hours, these traditional media platforms interfaces all age groups throughout the year; more than schools.

By normalizing everyday English through radio, TV, and social media, we can build national confidence. When the language becomes part of the daily atmosphere rather than a test of intelligence in classrooms, confidence and competence will follow naturally.

THE BILINGUAL BLUEPRINT

I’m not saying we should replace our rich heritage but to supplement it as an economic development and national cohesion strategy. Every Ghanaian should have at least a dual language ability; fluent in English for global engagement and rooted in at least one indigenous language for cultural identity. This balance ensures we are both globally competitive and locally grounded.

A NATIONAL MANDATE

Ghana stands at a crossroads. Observe any Ghanaian who has successfully ascended the global stage in media, music, art, or any professional endeavor and you realize that their breakthrough was fueled by English; not a local dialect.

Osibisa on my mind! This is a clear signal that the government must view English fluency not just as an educational goal, but as a primary driver of economic empowerment of Ghanaians for economic development.

We must formulate bold policies, backed by financial and technical resources, to achieve true national fluency. When we speak confidently to the world in a language the world understands, the world will respond with investments and cash inflows.