Main content

Tongue and talk: Keeping language alive in Africa

Justice Baidoo explores endangered languages like Twi and Ahanta across Africa

Justice Baidoo, a journalist in Ghana, is teaching his two young children how to speak the ancient African language of Ahanta. He home schools them with lessons several times a week in an effort to keep the indigenous language alive in a continent where many are disappearing due to the over dominance of English and French, and in more recent years the added power of American culture through mass media, online and through mobile phones.

Justice hears how locals are trying to revive Ahanta by setting up a radio station and running regular dedicated church services attracting a one-thousand-strong congregation before travelling across Ghana to hear people speaking the endangered language of Animere in the village of Kunda.

He also hears about efforts to languages that are dying out in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa - and how gaming companies in Africa are using indigenous languages in their stories to help teach young gamers their mother tongue.

Producer: Ashley Byrne and Justice Baidoo in Ghana
A Made in Manchester production for BBC World Service

Available now

50 minutes

Last on

Wed 14 May 2025 23:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 9 Nov 2024 12:06GMT
  • Sun 10 Nov 2024 03:06GMT
  • Sun 10 Nov 2024 14:06GMT
  • Sun 10 Nov 2024 17:06GMT
  • Wed 13 Nov 2024 10:06GMT
  • Thu 14 Nov 2024 00:06GMT
  • Sat 10 May 2025 11:06GMT
  • Sun 11 May 2025 02:06GMT
  • Sun 11 May 2025 13:06GMT
  • Sun 11 May 2025 16:06GMT
  • Wed 14 May 2025 09:06GMT
  • Wed 14 May 2025 23:06GMT