Ga Traditional Council praises Haruna Iddrisu for ‘statesmanship’ in Google AI language dispute
The Ga Traditional Council has commended the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, for what it describes as his “gravitas and statesmanship” in resolving a dispute over the exclusion of the GaDangme language from a Google Artificial Intelligence pilot programme.
The Secretary of the Council, HE Nii Amarkai Amarteifio, said the Minister’s swift intervention helped to calm tensions and ensure that the linguistic interests of the GaDangme people were duly recognised within the global technology space.
The commendation followed a high-powered delegation led by the Minister to engage His Royal Majesty, King Tackie Tsuru III, over concerns surrounding the omission of the language at the piloting stage of the programme.
While acknowledging the Minister’s apology, the Council Secretary stressed that the GaDangme language has for centuries served as a vital medium of communication, particularly in broadcasting. He described its initial exclusion as “shocking”, given its historic role in national discourse and the cultural identity of the Ga people.
The remarks were made on Valentine’s Day at the Cantonments residence of HE Nii Amarkai Amarteifio when the Paramount Chief of the Lamashegu Traditional Area in Tamale, Naa Mahamadu Iddrisu, paid a courtesy call on him. The visit was to express gratitude to the Ga Traditional Council for what was described as diplomatic and tactical leadership in bringing the impasse to an amicable resolution.
In an unexpected personal tribute, Naa Mahamadu Iddrisu recounted a past act of kindness by the Minister. “Let me say this, some years back, Haruna Iddrisu at the America embassy in Accra here saved my daughter, when she presented herself for the application of Visa. A problem arose and my daughter had nowhere to turned to, suddenly Haruna stepped in, and provided all that my daughter needed. Haruna may not remember, but our family would forever be grateful for that singular gesture” he said.
The meeting was facilitated by Prince-Derek Adjei, a former President of the GaDangme Youth and a royal from La.
For his part, the Lamashe Naa, who was enskinned only a month ago, explained that his trip to Accra had a dual purpose. In addition to paying homage to the Ga Traditional Council, he said he had also come to commiserate with the Minister and the Deputy Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Mohammed Adam Sukparu, following a road accident.
The two officials were involved in a crash on the Bolga-Tumu Road on Thursday, February 12, 2026, while travelling on official duties in the Sissala West Constituency. They have since been receiving treatment at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra.
Naa Mahamadu Iddrisu underscored the centrality of tradition in Ghana’s national life, noting that the country’s collective identity is deeply rooted in its customs and institutions. As a royal, he said, the Minister understood the weight of chieftaincy and had acted promptly to ensure that no decision undermined the longstanding relationship between the state and traditional authorities.
Providing an update on the Minister’s condition, he assured the Council Secretary that Iddrisu was in good health and disclosed that he and the other victims of the accident were expected to be discharged by midday on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
