Which language(s) do they speak in Ghana?

You have spent a considerable amount of time looking at photographs from Ghana. You have seen images of the fantastic breakfast spots in Accra, the national parks, and the beaches in the Central area. And then you made up your mind that you would travel to Ghana this summer. After booking your travel and beginning your preparations, you came to the shocking realization that you are not familiar with the language spoken in your destination country. Don’t worry about it; we’ve got you taken care of.

Because in all honesty it is not that difficult. The majority of individuals in Ghana are fluent in English. Since it is the official language, instruction in all academic topics is provided in English. In addition, most street signs, restaurants, and other printed materials are written in English. It shouldn’t be too tough to communicate, in particular in the southern and central parts of the country. Although it may be slightly more challenging in the north, there is almost always someone nearby who can speak it or utilize sign language. There is not the slightest bit of need to be concerned about communication. Try out DuoLingo if you are unsure of how well your English skills are already developed.

However, this is not all. In addition to English, there are a great number of other languages that are spoken in Ghana; each of these languages also has its own set of dialects. If you want to leave a positive impression on everyone you meet in Ghana, you should make an effort to learn the fundamentals of a few different languages. In most cases, we would recommend that you begin with learning Asante Twi. The most widely used language in Ghana is called Twi, which is a member of the Akan language family along with Fante and Akuapem Twi. Although it is more common in the south, you might also encounter people in the Volta or Northern regions who are able to (at the very least) understand what is being said. And always keep in mind that you do not need to be flawless and proficient in the language. Just the fact that you are trying demonstrates that you are making some effort.

We recommend that you pick up some basic Twi phrases if you are going to be traveling through Ghana; but, if you are going to be remaining in one place for a longer period of time, it is best to find out what language the locals speak and concentrate on mastering that language. For instance, you might want to look at Ewe (from the Volta Region), Ga (from the Accra Region), or Dagbani (from the Northern Region).

For the time being, we will concentrate on Asante Twi, and we will teach you some phrases that are commonly used.

Welcome – Akwaaba

Good morning – Maakye

Good afternoon – Maaha

A toast to the evening – Maadwo

How are you doing? That’s te sn.

I am well – Me ho yɛ

Fine – ɛyɛ

Thank you – Medaase

We will see each other again – Ybhyia

Okay – Yoo

I have been paying attention, mate.

Kafra – Sorry

No – Dabi

Yes – Ane

My name is [your name] – Me din de [your name]

I am originally from [your city/country]; my family name is Mefiri [your city/country].

Mete [where you reside] is my home city. I live in [where you live].

You can purchase the Learn Akan e-books or watch their videos if you are interested in acquiring additional knowledge. A vocabulary book and flashcards are available for purchase from Jolanda Mensah as well. You can also watch her films online, although you should be aware that they are only available in Dutch. When you go to Ghana, you can look for books in either a business that specializes in selling them or on the market itself.

You can also take a look at our very own DIY Twi Verbs Flashcards, which you will receive as a thank you for supporting Tinyhouse Ghana (starting at one euro).

We strongly recommend that you surround yourself with Ghanaian speakers so that you can perfect your pronounciation. In Ghana, without a doubt, but also in the place you call home. You could discover someone who wants to learn your native language in exchange for you teaching them your language, if you look hard enough. We have no doubt that participating in this will provide us with a rich cultural experience.

We are sending positive vibes your way in the hopes that you have an incredible experience in Ghana. We can only hope that you were successful in educating yourself on the fundamentals. And if you are traveling with us, we will be able to assist you in any way we can on your journey. Every single one of our tour guides hails from Ghana and is more than happy to instruct you in the local tongue. We can’t wait to get the party started!