List of All Languages Spoken in Ghana

List of All Languages Spoken in Ghana

In Ghana, there are approximately 80 to 84 languages spoken. These languages belong to various linguistic families, primarily the Niger-Congo language family. The distribution of languages reflects the country’s rich cultural and ethnic diversity.

Key Points:

1. Official Language:
   • English is the official language and is used for government, education, and business.

 

1. Major Local Languages:
   Some widely spoken languages include:
   • Akan (Twi, Fante): The most widely spoken language group in Ghana.
   • • Ewe: Spoken in the Volta Region.
     • Dagbani: Dominant in the Northern Region.
     • Ga: Predominant in the Greater Accra Region.
     • Hausa: Used as a lingua franca in some areas, particularly in trade.
     • Nzema: Spoken in the Western Region.
     • Gonja: Spoken in the Savannah Region.
     • Dagaare/Wale: Spoken in the Upper West Region.

 

1. Language Diversity:
   • These languages are spoken by various ethnic groups, including the Akan, Mole-Dagbani, Ewe, Ga-Dangme, and Gurma groups.
   • Some languages have multiple dialects, further increasing linguistic variation.

 

1. Languages in Education:
   • The government supports the teaching of 11 local languages in schools.

 

1. Endangered Languages:
   • Some smaller languages are at risk of extinction due to urbanization and the dominance of major languages.

 

The breakdown of all the languages spoken in Ghana.

Here is a comprehensive list of the languages spoken in Ghana, categorised by language families and regions:

1. Akan Languages

• Akan is the largest language group in Ghana, spoken predominantly in the southern regions.
• Languages/Dialects:
  • Twi (Asante Twi, Akuapem Twi)
  • Fante
  • Nzema
  • Bono (Brong)
  • Akyem
  • Wassa

2. Mole-Dagbani Languages

• Spoken in northern Ghana by the Mole-Dagbani ethnic group.
• Languages/Dialects:
  • Dagbani
  • Mampruli (Mamprusi)
  • Nanumba
  • Kusasi
  • Frafra
  • Dagaare/Wale

3. Ewe

• Predominantly spoken in the Volta Region.

4. Ga-Dangme Languages

• Found in the Greater Accra Region and some eastern parts of Ghana.
• Languages:
  • Ga
  • Dangme (Ada)

5. Gur Languages

• Spoken in the Upper East, Upper West, and parts of the Savannah Regions.
• Languages:
  • Kasem
  • Buli
  • Kusaal
  • Sissala
  • Chakali
  • Safaliba
  • Tampulma

6. Guan Languages

• Spoken in isolated areas of the Volta, Oti, Brong-Ahafo, and Eastern Regions.
• Languages:
  • Gonja
  • Nchumburu (Chumburung)
  • Efutu
  • Nawuri
  • Larteh
  • Anum
  • Kyerepong
  • Krachi

7. Mande Languages

• Spoken by the Mande people, mainly in the northern regions.
• Languages:
  • Ligbi
  • Bisa

8. Hausa

• A lingua franca, widely spoken in trade and by northern communities.

9. Other Minority Languages

• These are less widely spoken and often localized to specific communities:
  • Basari
  • Konkomba
  • Chala
  • Anufo
  • Mo/Deg
  • Tampulma

10. English (Official Language)

• Used for administration, education, and business across the country.

11. Creole/Trade Languages

• Pidgin English: Popular among the youth and in urban areas.
• Akan-based Creole: Used in some informal trade settings.