The rising concern about the denigration of local languages has taken center-stage once again.
This time, coming from former Speaker of Parliament, Prof Aaron Mike Oquaye.
The statesman is peeved about the way the Twi language is used as voice-overs to promote foreign content on Ghanaian televisions.
According to him, it does not augur well for the culture and leaves him worried about the way the foreign values are promoted at the expense of the locals.
“I beg our actors and scriptwriters to come out with Ghanaian films. I get sick anytime I hear Twi words or Ga words pushed through some European or Asian lips. The practice should be slopped if we should develop as a people,” he said.
At the University of Ghana, he made these remarks during the Okyenhene Ba Dr. Jones Akwasi Amoako Alta Open-inaugural Alla’s memorial lecture.
Prof. Oquaye is concerned about what may be left of the indigenous assets since he feels that the Ghanaian entertainment sector gives too much weight to European and Asian content.
These are the issues that divide a country. Never could it occur in Malaysia. In India, that will never take place. In none of the Asian nations can it ever occur, he continued.
In order to advance societal ideals, he wants film industry producers to make a concerted effort to create domestic material.
