Ga Dangme Europe lamentsover gradual decline of standard of language

The Ga Dangme Europe group has bemoaned the fallen standard of the Ga language in the region, adding that the language is not being taught in public and private schools, making it lose its popularity.

The group contended that the cosmopolitan state in which the region finds itself, has deprived indigenes of their culture and language.

The group said that problems had reached 'the extent that Gas, in particular, have become so marginalised on their own land, such that disproportionately higher numbers cannot gain access to even the less expensive and affordable public schools.'

These came to light when members of the Ga Dangme Europe group paid a courtesy call on the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Twaiah II, at his Palace in Accra.

Lead by the Ga Dangme Italy President, Nene Awuye Agbettor, the group outlined a number of issues affecting the region, and how they could help in revamping the sinking image of the Ga Dangme State.

He said the group learnt with regret about the massive sale of land, including historical forest sites to foreigners and local developers, thereby depriving the indigenes from practicing their traditional urban agriculture.

Nene Awuye noted that the group had been monitoring news/stories from the region on the world web, and its members have expressed shock at the rate at which parcels of lands are being sold out, without thoughts of coming generations.

Lamenting, Nene Awuye Agbettor said history has it that 'our great fathers were not educated, but were able to keep forests and other historic monument for scientific reasons.'

Enumerating, Nene Awuye Agbettor noted that the 'GuaKoo' (Gua Forest), near Pokuase, which serves as a training grounds for priest and priestess of the Ga Dangme State, and where currently Numo Gblefo (Wulomo) was residing, had been sold out to a private developer.

He said this same historical forest serves as the entry point for all visiting chiefs to the Ga Land/Kingdom, and have to obtain permission before entering it.

Additionally, he said forests such as the Osabu Koo in Teshie, Gbobu Koo (Nugua), Dodowa Koo (Dodowa), and Korlewo Koo, near the present Children's Hospital in Accra, have been depleted, and that the ecosystems found in these forests destroyed.

Nene Awuye noted that the existence of the forests in the region helped the area to experience cyclonic rains, since the region was around a low pressure center.

He said the group learnt with uttermost surprise, when news broke on the internet, that a group of persons from La had also turn their anger on the forest behind the Ghana International Trade Fair Site, totally depleting it.

He said the group had met with the La Mantse on the massive blocking and reclaiming of the Kpeshie Lagoon by some residents of La.

He said urgent steps should be taken to halt their activities, since it could have very fatal effect during any heavy rainfall, adding that the all tributaries of the lagoon have been blocked, thereby depriving people of their livelihoods.

King Tackie Tawiah II, speaking through a linguist, noted that there were a lot of problems that needed tackling in the region.

He said, 'The Ga Dangme group is one of the smallest tribal groups in the country, and with divisions amongst us, we cannot strive ahead.'

The Ga Mantse further urged the group to unite as one people, and help revive the sinking image of the region, adding that the region was losing most of its youth, with especially young girls giving birth without fathers.