Teaching In Local Languages in Ghana

The Education Minister of Ghana has asked heads and teachers of basic schools to desist from the use of the English language as the sole medium of instruction in the classrooms.

Sounds logical, since when concepts are explained in a language you properly understand, your chances of grasping it are very higher compared to the vice versa

My #OddQuestion is,  what local language can be added to the English for instruction since a typical class would not have all the students speaking one local language? Or students speaking same local language are now going to be grouped so that the teacher can use both English and local languages?

 

There are about 9 govt sponsored languages in Ghana (see below)

 

1.   AKAN (Ashanti, Fante, Akuapem, Akyem, Kwahu) (Written Twi)

2.   DAGAARE / WAALE Spoken in Upper Western Region (UWR)

3.   DANGBE                            "        Greater Accra.(G/A)          

4.   DAGBANE                          "         Northern Region (NR)

5.   EWE                                   "        Volta Region (VR)

6.   GA                                      "         Greater Accra Region (G/A)

7.   GONJA                                "         Northern Region (NR)

8.   KASEM                               "         Upper Eastern Region (UER)

9.   NZEMA                                "         Western Region (WR)

 

There are also over 20 non-govt sponsored local languages.

 

Assuming the nine (9) languages above are to be used, does it mean there would be 9 teachers for each class level? Example, Class 1   AKAN, DAGAARE / WAALE , DANGBE,

DAGBANE,EWE,GA,GONJA ,  KASEM , NZEMA , since its possible to have all these languages spoken by students at one class level

It’s a good thought; maybe the ministry should come together with the school heads on how this 'instruction' would be implemented with the students not feeling segregated. 

to be continued ....

Teaching In Local Languages in Ghana

The Education Minister of Ghana has asked heads and teachers of basic schools to desist from the use of the English language as the sole medium of instruction in the classrooms.

Sounds logical, since when concepts are explained in a language you properly understand, your chances of grasping it are very higher compared to the vice versa

My #OddQuestion is,  what local language can be added to the English for instruction since a typical class would not have all the students speaking one local language? Or students speaking same local language are now going to be grouped so that the teacher can use both English and local languages?

 

There are about 9 govt sponsored languages in Ghana (see below)

 

1.   AKAN (Ashanti, Fante, Akuapem, Akyem, Kwahu) (Written Twi)

2.   DAGAARE / WAALE Spoken in Upper Western Region (UWR)

3.   DANGBE                            "        Greater Accra.(G/A)          

4.   DAGBANE                          "         Northern Region (NR)

5.   EWE                                   "        Volta Region (VR)

6.   GA                                      "         Greater Accra Region (G/A)

7.   GONJA                                "         Northern Region (NR)

8.   KASEM                               "         Upper Eastern Region (UER)

9.   NZEMA                                "         Western Region (WR)

 

There are also over 20 non-govt sponsored local languages.

 

Assuming the nine (9) languages above are to be used, does it mean there would be 9 teachers for each class level? Example, Class 1   AKAN, DAGAARE / WAALE , DANGBE,

DAGBANE,EWE,GA,GONJA ,  KASEM , NZEMA , since its possible to have all these languages spoken by students at one class level

It’s a good thought; maybe the ministry should come together with the school heads on how this 'instruction' would be implemented with the students not feeling segregated. 

to be continued ....

Positive Path Forward

Acting with arrogance toward others does not add any positive value to your life. Being spiteful does not bring you any lasting sense of fulfillment.

It is completely understandable to be frustrated and angered by the words and actions of others. Yet the answer is not to add to the existing negativity with more negativity of your own.

Imagine taking the high road. Imagine putting your energy into positive pursuits instead of into negative reactions.

Your life is too precious to spend even a few moments of it consumed with hatred or arrogance or other kinds of negativity. For the sake of your own well being, turn your attention toward the good and beneficial things you can think and do.

Take the time to consider what adds value to your life and your world, and what takes that value away. Then commit yourself to living in such a way that adds more value.

Each moment is filled with countless possibilities, so choose the very best ones. Instead of getting mired in negativity, lift yourself higher by taking the most positive path forward.

Keep the goal in sight

When the goal is in sight, you're much more highly motivated to work toward it. So no matter how far away the goal is, keep it in sight and keep moving enthusiastically toward it.

When you can see that you're making progress, you are naturally encouraged to make more progress. So as you move forward, remind yourself how far you've come, and keep on going.

Nothing can take the place of a clear and meaningful purpose. So give yourself the energy to achieve by knowing exactly where you wish to go and why you want to get there.

Feel the achievement and the rewards that come with it as you work steadily toward it. Keep your vision focused on the goal as you move ever closer to that goal.

Effort becomes effortless and energy becomes far more abundant when you see the objective getting closer and closer. Make use of the power of your dream to make that dream come true.

Get the goal in sight and keep it there as you enjoy your own effective effort to move forward. Keep the goal in sight, no matter what, and achievement is yours.

Follow @Quabynah

Ebola Prevention Tips

1. Wash your hands regularly, both front and back up to your elbow.

2. Use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol as often as possible when water is not available.

3. Do NOT eat any kind of wild game or bush meat, most especially bats, monkeys, gorillas, forest antelope and porcupines.

4. Watch where you eat and don't eat meat unless you're sure of the source.

5. Whatever animal products you consume should be cooked thoroughly.

6. Avoid sharing clothes with strangers.

7. Watch out for symptoms of Ebola around your neighbourhood.

8. Avoid areas where an outbreak has been reported.

9. Report any unauthorized movement of corpses in your area especially those brought in from abroad.

10. Don't touch or go near anyone who has been confirmed to have Ebola and if you absolutely must, then wear protective gear.

Arm yourself with adequate information about Ebola and avoid spreading rumours that will cause fear and panic. Information is key and knowledge is power. Protect Yourself.

Ashaiman GCB burgled

A branch of the Ghana Commercial bank (GCB) at Ashaiman was last Thursday raided by some unidentified armed robbers, who entered the bank through the roof.

Nobody has been apprehended in connection with the incident.

The suspects were said to have entered the bank, near the main Ashaiman lorry terminal through the roof, but preliminary investigations revealed that no money was stolen.

Owing to the situation, management of the bank has suspended operations until Monday to enable the bank officials to access the situation and carry out some maintenance work.

Sources at the bank told DAILY GUIDE that the incident occurred at midnight.

According to reports, the suspects scaled the fence wall and climb the bank's mast, which was situated behind the building, to gain access to the roof of the building.

They removed the roof of the building, which is made up of concrete slabs.

The suspects, according to reports, entered the strong room where the chunk of money was kept after the day.

They could not break the safe and escaped after ransacking the banking hall.

Superintendent William Daah, Divisional Crime Officer in Ashaiman, when contacted by DAILY GUIDE, confirmed the break-in and explained that police had commenced investigations into the matter to arrest the perpetrators of the crime.

According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that no money was stolen, but the police have asked officials of the financial institution to conduct further checks in the building

U20 Fifa WWC : Ghana vs Korea DPR

Korea DPR have put one foot in the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup with a Ri Un-Sim-inspired 3-0 win over Ghana in Toronto. The North Korean No10 scored twice to cap a fine performance that could yet see her team through to the last eight by the end of the night if Canada fail to beat Finland.

Opening-day victories had left both teams knowing that another win would all but secure their place in the knockout phase and, from the offset, Korea DPR always looked more likely to secure it. Indeed, it took them just six minutes to take the lead, and the goal was all down the improvisation of Ri.

Right-back Song Kyong-Hui had done well with a positive overlapping run and cross, but the ball arrived at an awkward height for the team's talisman. Undeterred, Ri simply adjusted her body, stooping low on the six-yard line to direct a a delicate header in off the far post.

An unusual early substitution followed, with the referee picking up a knee injury and making way for her fourth official, but the pattern of the game remained unaltered. Ghana could have found themselves further behind, in fact, had it not been for keeper Victoria Agyei saving well with her legs on two occasions, first from Ri Hyang-Sim and then from Song.

Ri remained the North Koreans' most likely source of a goal though, and with 66 minutes played she came within millimetres of doubling hers and her team's tally. Rising to meet another cross from the right, she again sent a header towards goal only to see the ball rebound off he underside of the crossbar and be scrambled to safety.

The Korea DPR star would not be denied, though, and with 12 minutes remaining she got her second goal, glancing into the empty net after nipping in ahead of Agyei to meet an outswinging free-kick from Jon So-Yon. And there was still time for the North Koreans to add a little sparkle to the scoreline.

The opportunity to do so arrived in stoppage time when Agyei missed the ball with a wild attempted clearance and caught Ri Kyong-Hang on the neck. A penalty was the inevitable the consequence, and though Agyei guessed right, Jo Son-Yon's spot kick was accurate and powerful enough to leave her with no chance of keeping it out.

Ghanaian Fans Granted Asylum In Brazil

The Ghanaian fans seeking asylum in Brazil after the 2014 World Cup have been granted an initial one-year stay in the country.

The over 200 Ghanaian supporters applied for asylum in Brazil under the reported pretext of a religious conflict in the West African state after Ghana's first round exit from the World Cup.

Ghana's Sports Ministry is yet to get a response from the findings expected to be made through investigations to be carried out by the Ghanaian embassy in Brazil.

The asylum seekers have however been granted an initial one-year permit by Brazilian authorities to stay and work in their country.

Some of the supporters have even filtered into neighboring countries such as Argentina and Ecuador with others making their way north to the USA.

"We didn't tell Brazilian authorities that there was conflict in Ghana and for that they should grant us asylum," one of the granted asylum seekers Hamidu Ahmed told Asempa FM.

"Each and every one of us came here with his own reason which is definitely not a conflict situation.

"We have received our papers and some of us have already started working. Some of us work in industries and others work in the construction sector.

"Some have however left into neighboring Argentina, Ecuador and the likes. Others are also traveling by road to the USA."

Work On It

Stop taking refuge in the promise of quick fixes or the familiarity of worn-out excuses. Make the effort, do the work, and fulfill your best possibilities.

Even if you can't get it perfect, work on it. Even if you can't get it all done right away, work on it.

Work on it with commitment and persistence. You know you're capable of creating new, worthwhile, meaningful value, so do what you know you can do.

This day is a unique opportunity that you'll only get once. Work on it, and lock in the value of that opportunity while you can.

Don't sacrifice the chance to make a lasting difference for a little fleeting, momentary pleasure. Persist, focus, do the work and enjoy the far greater pleasure of a job well done.

Life will get even better when you work on it. Use the powerful opportunity of this day to do just that.

Follow me on Twitter @Quabynah

Ghana Turns To IMF For Help

Ghana will turn to the International Monetary Fund for help after the west African country's currency plunged roughly 40 per cent this year against the dollar, making the cedi the worst performing currency in the world in 2014.

The opening of conversations with the IMF about a rescue is a volte-face for John Mahama, Ghana's president, who has long insisted his country would resolve the economic crisis using homegrown solutions.

Ghana is the second sub-Saharan African country to turn to the IMF for help so far this year, after Zambia announced in June it was seeking talks with the Washington-based multilateral body.

Seth Terkper, Ghana's finance minister, said Mr Mahama had "directed to open discussion with the IMF" to support Ghana's growth programme. Speaking to the FT, Mr Terkper said the most immediate concern was to "to stabilise the cedi and reduce the [fiscal] deficit".

The Ghanian currency has plunged to 3.7 cedi per US dollar, down from 1.9 in January 2013, beating even the war-ravaged Ukrainian hryvnia and the Syrian pound.

Nearly three years after the start of oil production, which was meant to further strengthen the country's fiscal position, the public purse is looking empty. Ghana is battling a double-digit fiscal deficit after a 75 per cent increase in public salaries over two years. Inflation is rising rapidly as the cedi plunges.

Ghana ran a fiscal deficit equal to 10.1 per cent of gross domestic product in 2013. The government has promised to lower the deficit to 8.5 per cent this year, but observers believe it would struggled to reduce it below 10 per cent.

In its annual review of the Ghanaian economy, the IMF in May warned that under current policies, the fiscal deficit would stay at about 10.2 per cent this year and 9.3 per cent in 2015, far below the official target.

"We would like to have a complementary plan with the World Bank and the African Development Bank [on top of the IMF programme] to achieve our objective to become an upper middle-income economy," Mr Terkper said.

The Ghanaian request of a bail out is likely to shake some investors, as Ghana was seen as a model of economic and political development in the continent. In 2007, Ghana become the first country in sub Saharan Africa – with the exception of South Africa – to tap the sovereign bond market, raising $750m through a 10-year bond.

The country has this year repeatedly postponed a return to the hard currency sovereign bond market. But Mr Terkper said that Ghana was still planning to issue a $1bn, 10-year bond in the next few weeks. "The market will take a better view of our policies when we are talking with IMF. Hopefully, the market and development partners will have more confidence," he said.

The financial concerns have put pressure on the government of President Mahama, which stands accused by the opposition of mishandling the economy. Mahama's party, the National Democratic Congress, introduced a new public sector salary structure in 2010 designed to motivate workers and improve service delivery. The government's wage bill consumes roughly 70 per cent of the country's tax revenue.
 

Forbes on Ghana

"Ghana has the world's largest manmade lake and the 1-gigawatt Aksombo Hydroelectric Plant, built to supply electricity to Africa's largest aluminum smelter. But the smelter has been idle since 2009, a casualty of low aluminum prices and persistent electricity shortages that have forced the government to divert the power elsewhere.

Ghana is a typical example of the world's worst-managed economies: It's a country that shouldn't be poor, but it is. The West African nation's gross domestic product per capita fell 9% last year to $621, ranking it 154th out of 184 countries tracked by the International Monetary Fund, below resource-impoverished Haiti. With a $3 billion trade deficit last year and $4.9 billion in external debt, Ghana is struggling to pay its bills even as it sits on some of the world's biggest reserves of gold and bauxite, as well as considerable amounts of offshore oil, which is being developed by Anadarko Petroleum and others.

"Ghana's problems are mostly homegrown," said Peter Allum, the IMF's mission chief to Ghana, in February. Forbes ranks Ghana ninth on our list of the world's worst economies."