Bureau of Ghana Languages

Bureau of Ghana Languages
Flag
Language centresAccra and Tamale
Largest city Accra
Sponsored languages
Demonym Ghanaian
Type Government Agency
Leaders
 •  Agency Chair Ghana Francis E. Kwaw
Establishment
 •  Vernacular Literature Bureau 1 January 1950 (1950-01-01) 
 •  Active 1951 
 •  Renamed Bureau of Ghana Languages 1957 
Area
 •  Total 238,535 km2
92,099 sq mi
Population
 •  2014 estimate 27,000,000
 •  Density 32.12/km2
83.2/sq mi
Calling code 233
Website
http://www.ghanaculture.gov.gh/index1.php?linkid=331&page=4&sectionid=602

The Bureau of Ghana Languages is an agency of the government of Ghana that focuses on Ghanaian languages, including publication of materials in them.

It was founded in 1951, originally as the Vernacular Literature Bureau,[1] and later given its current name. It has two offices, one in Accra and the other in Tamale.

It focuses on 11 languages: Akuapem Twi, Asante Twi, Ewe, Mfantse, Ga, Dangme, Nzema, Dagbani, Dagaare, Gonja and Kasem.[2]

Vision

An institution that provides effective and excellent services for the promotion, orthographic control and learning of Ghanaian languages and other cultural aspects through pragmatic strategies and influencing government policies.

Mission

The mission of the Bureau of Ghana Languages is to provide services in Ghanaian languages to individuals, organizations, institutions and the general research into Ghanaian languages, writing, translation of non-local language documents, assessment, editing and publication of documents in Ghanaian languages and to influence government policies on Ghanaian languages.

Profile

The Bureau of Ghana Languages (BGL) is the focal point for the development, promotion, orthographic control and learning of Ghanaian languages and other cultural aspects. It also influences Government Policies on Ghanaian languages through the co-ordination of all agencies involved in promoting Ghanaian languages.

History

In 1958 it was converted into a Department under the Ministry of Information. It was later transferred from the Ministry of Information to the Ministry of Education in 1963. The Bureau has since 1st. December, 1989 been under the National Commission on Culture by the PNDC Law 238. The Bureau of Ghana Languages is a government institution involved in the educational and cultural effort of the nation. It is a unique institution because, as a government publishing house, it is the only institution of its kind that publishes exclusively in Ghanaian languages.

List of Directors

Main articles: Bureau of Ghana Languages and Heads of the Bureau of Ghana Languages
Heads of the Bureau of Ghana Languages
Name Beginning of term End of term Region
R.C. Whitaker 1951 1953
John A Hamilton 1953 1956
Edwin L. Read Jr. 1956 1958
Samuel K. Otoo 1958 1968
Samuel K. Otoo 1968 1972
Felix S. Konu 1973 1982
Daniel E. K. Krampah 1982 1995
John N. Nanor 1995 2001
J. C. Abbey 2001 2005
A.A . Arries-Tagoe 2005 2005
Francis E. Kwaw 2005 Date

References

  1. ↑ Ghana, National Commission on Culture, "About Us - Cultural Institutions and Agencies"
  2. ↑ Ghana, National Commission on Culture, "The Bureau Of Ghana Languages-BGL" (Page 2 of 6)


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