“LET’S TRANSLATE THE SCIENCE BOOKS” – Okyeame Kwame on Compulsory Mother Tongue Policy in Schools

Ghanaian music legend Okyeame Kwame has strongly endorsed the government’s new policy making local language instruction compulsory in schools, calling it “the most sensible thing I have seen today,” while challenging authorities to translate science textbooks into indigenous languages to further enhance learning.

The rapper and education advocate made the statement following the Ghana Education Service’s announcement that mother-tongue teaching will become mandatory nationwide, a significant shift in Ghana’s educational approach aimed at strengthening foundational learning.

“Now let’s translate all the science books into all the lettered local languages and teach it in the mother tongue,” Okyeame Kwame urged, arguing that this additional step would make complex scientific concepts more accessible to young learners.

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu stated the policy forms part of broader reforms designed to improve literacy rates while preserving Ghana’s cultural heritage. The move aligns with research showing that instruction in a child’s first language enhances understanding, retention, and academic performance.

Okyeame Kwame has long championed this cause, criticizing Ghana’s preference for foreign languages in education as “disrespectful to our pride and culture” as far back as 2019. He believes extending mother-tongue instruction to science and technology subjects could demystify these fields and boost student confidence in STEM education.

While the policy has reignited debates about language in education, the government has emphasized its commitment to making local language instruction a permanent feature of Ghana’s educational landscape, with Okyeame Kwame’s support adding significant cultural weight to the initiative.

Source:NKONKONSA.com