Parliament will begin using local languages on the floor of the House to promote Ghanaian culture and keep it from extinction.
According to Order 63 of the new Standing Orders, a Member of Parliament (MP) may use any of the local languages, subject to interpretation and translation to ensure everyone’s understanding.
This is expected to begin with the second meeting of the Eighth Parliament’s fourth session.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, stated that all necessary facilities, including translators and appropriate gadgets, would be put in place to ensure a smooth take-off. So, unless something goes wrong, the new measure will go into effect after the Easter break.
The use of local languages came up on the floor of Parliament yesterday, when the Second Deputy Minority Leader, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, made a statement advocating for the promotion and preservation of the Nzema language.
Mr Buah, who is also the National Democratic Congress MP for Ellembele in the Western Region, stated that the Nzema language was one of 11 local languages on the basic and senior high school curricula and was examinable.
Unfortunately, despite the language’s high level of development, interest in teaching and learning it in our educational institutions is rapidly declining.
This drew contributions from members who, in unison, advocated for the use of local languages in elementary schools to promote the languages and bring proper understanding to various subjects.
They stated that, as with the Asia Tigers, science subjects such as chemistry should be taught in local languages.
The Speaker then directed that the statement be referred to the education, culture, tourism, and finance committees for a decision.
The referral is intended to enable the Ghana Education Service to embrace the concept of using the language in basic or lower primary schools, promote Ghanaian culture and tourism, and consider financial implications.
On February 6, 2024, Parliament met again and started enforcing the new Standing Orders, which included a daily roll call of members and the recitation of the national pledge.
The previous Standing Orders, which were in force since 2006, have been replaced by the new ones.
The purpose of the roll call, which was recorded in order 14, is to increase the credibility of the attendance list and dispel any questions about who was in the chamber—especially during critical voting times.
The new Standing Order also aims to foster a sense of responsibility and discipline toward the voters who elected the MPs. On the other side, the national pledge is recited to foster love and patriotism for the nation.
The Speaker declared that the signing of the attendance books in the chamber and by the committees remained unaffected by the oral roll call.
