K.B Asante: Inadequate command of language betrays faulty education
Language portrays character and upbringing. Our chiefs engage linguists who are masters of the spoken language and good upbringing to convey their thoughts to the people.
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Kwame Nkrumah employed Okyeame Akufo to convey his thoughts to his Twi-speaking audience. Okyeame Akufo had a command of language and diction which even non-Twi-speaking audiences could understand. Education at home and school in former times promoted command of language. Things have changed and today it is difficult to understand even some of those who speak on the airwaves.
I wonder whether we have no more Hammonds and Komla Dumors who spoke so well on the airwaves of the world and enhanced Ghanaian reputation. I believe even today we have the men and women who can carry on the tradition provided we identify them and give them the proper recognition or training.
Much importance was placed on erudition in my time at school. Those who won the reading competition were also good at writing or putting thought to paper. I did not realise it was 10 long years since one of my admirers at reading and composition died. He is Justice Francois. I was surprised when I received a personal invitation to attend a ceremony to remember him. I did not believe he had gone for so long. Francois was good at reading and composition. I do not know any law but I was enlightened when I read some of his judgements. They threw light on the law in beautiful and easily understood language.
At school we were encouraged to read widely even on subjects which were not examinable. Thus I read the Times Law Reports when I was in London. The language was superb and instructive and easy to understand. I learnt that when a sovereign entity came down to the marketplace to conduct business it was bound by the rules of the market and could not plead sovereign immunity. This knowledge enabled me to advise sensibly when I was responsible for purchases in the Acheampong regime.
We should go back to the old practice and encourage more Francois to emerge. I am sure my friend would turn in his grave if he heard some of the readings on radio and television. Frankly, some of what I hear is bad. Readers pause where they should not and put on excruciating accents. I believe GBC has a school and I suggest all who read the news on radio and television should be trained at the school which should be organised to deal with the needs of Ghanaians. This is an area where we could go for aid from our “development partners.” I am sure the BBC would be pleased to help.
Those who influence the public, especially the young by their diction, should be trained and given certificates without which they should not pollute the ears and mouths of the youth. Radio and television should help educate the public, especially the young.
The media should help improve the command of English which is the official language. We the people have a responsibility to help correct the faults in our educational system. Inadequate command of English makes understanding of government policies and edicts difficult. Governance and democracy themselves are at peril when language does not communicate well. Command of language must be improved in our schools and those who represent us must know what they say.
