Taadi FM has launched a mother tongue essay competition for basic school pupils, aiming to promote linguistic diversity and preserve cultural heritage.

The launch ceremony was attended by key dignitaries, including Charity Baah, Public Relations Officer representing the Metro Director of Education, STMA; Sir Harry, a representative of the Ghana National Private Schools Association (Western Region); and Lord Kwame Segbeawu, Western Regional Chairman of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industries.

The event also received endorsement from the Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, and the Member of Parliament for Ahanta West, Mavis Kukuaa Bisiue.

Other notable attendees included Taadi FM’s General Manager, Elwood Akuoko Mantey, and Project Lead, Roslyn Nketeabea Epton.

Speaking on Taadi FM’s Good Morning Taadi programme on Friday, 21 February, Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson emphasized the importance of parents encouraging their children to speak their mother tongue.

He reaffirmed his commitment to promoting the use of indigenous languages among young people.

"The determining factor of intelligence is not the ability to speak English but a proper understanding of one’s mother tongue," he stated. Reflecting on his own experience, he shared that as a pupil in a rural school in Ahanta West, he initially struggled with English.

However, he noted that higher education later helped him articulate his thoughts clearly, demonstrating that early exposure to one’s mother tongue does not hinder intellectual growth.

He urged parents to avoid solely communicating with their children in English.

MP Mavis Kukuaa Bisiue also highlighted her personal experience, explaining that her inability to fluently speak Ahanta after living abroad for two decades became a challenge during her political campaign.

"My opponent used it against me.

The funny part is that while I left my homeland at a very young age, I understand everything in Ahanta, but I struggle to speak it fluently because I had no one to practice with while abroad," she explained.

She assured that efforts were underway to ensure the Ahanta language is taught in all schools within her constituency, aiming to safeguard the linguistic and cultural identity of the Ahanta people.

The competition requires participating students to identify a problem in their community, write about it in their native language, and suggest possible solutions.

The grand finale, scheduled for 7 March, will award winners with cash prizes, educational materials, and scholarship opportunities.

Taadi FM hopes this initiative will encourage children to develop strong writing skills in their mother tongue while fostering a new generation of language enthusiasts and cultural ambassadors.