MPs To Start Speaking Ghanaian Languages in Parliament

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has announced that Members of Parliament (MPs) will soon be allowed to speak in their mother tongues during debates in the Chamber.

With this initiative now put in place, Parliament is about to sound a lot more Ghanaian.

The announcement was made at the launch of the Open Parliament Steering Committee Inauguration & Launch Action Plan on Monday 30th, June, 2025 in Accra.

According to Mr. Bagbin, this is part of the efforts to promote Ghana’s cultural identity and deepen citizen participation in democratic governance. He believes that the use of local languages will help make parliamentary proceedings more inclusive and relatable to the average Ghanaian.

“Very soon we will allow MPs to speak in their mother tongue. No society develops by using the language of another society. We want our languages to be heard on the floor. So, we are going to start very soon,” Mr. Bagbin said.

He stressed that the use of local languages is already allowed under Parliament’s Standing Orders. Specifically, Standing Order 63 permits MPs to speak in any local language, provided they can interpret and translate it into English to ensure everyone understands.

“It is captured in our standing orders for all MPs to use their mother tongue, provided they can simultaneously translate it into the official language of English,” the Speaker explained.

To ensure effective communication and smooth debates, Speaker Bagbin also announced plans to hire professional interpreters who are fluent in various Ghanaian languages. These experts will provide real-time translations during parliamentary sessions, making it easier for all MPs and observers to follow the discussions.

“Very soon, we will employ experts in these languages to come and support us as translators,” he added.

Also, he stated that Ghana had also joined the Francophonie, adding that he had engaged the Embassy to collaborate with the Parliamentary Training Institute to establish French classes.

He warned that any MP who could not speak French would not be allowed to accompany him to Francophonie conferences, urging members to start upgrading their French.

This isn’t the first time the Speaker has pushed for the use of local languages in Parliament. Back in February 2024, he first mentioned the idea, again referencing Standing Order 63, which supports the use of local languages with translation. However, the current announcement indicates that the plan is now ready to be rolled out.

Many see this initiative as a welcome change that will make Parliament more accessible to citizens who are not fluent in English.

Ghana is home to over 80 languages and numerous dialects. For years, English has been the only official language used in Parliament, and critics have argued that this leaves out large segments of the population, especially those in rural areas. By allowing MPs to speak local languages, Parliament hopes to bridge this gap and connect more directly with the people it serves.