History

The Bureau of Ghana Languages is an agency of the government of Ghana that focuses on Ghanaian languages, including the publication of materials in them. It was founded in 1951, originally as the Vernacular Literature Bureau, and later given its current name. It has two offices, one in Accra and the other in Tamale.

It focuses on these languages: Akuapem Twi, Asante Twi, Fante, Ewe, Dagbani, Dangme, Dagaare, Ga, Nzema (Nzima), Kasem(Kassena) and Gonja.

The Bureau of Ghana Languages (BGL) is the focal point for the development, promotion, orthographic control, and learning of Ghanaian languages and other cultural aspects. It also influences Government Policies on Ghanaian languages through the coordination of all agencies involved in promoting Ghanaian languages.

In 1958 it was converted into a department under the Ministry of Information. It was later transferred from the Ministry of Information to the Ministry of Education in 1963. The Bureau has since 1 December 1989 been under the National Commission on Culture by the PNDC Law 238. The Bureau of Ghana Languages is a government institution involved in the educational and cultural efforts of the nation. It is a unique institution because, as a government publishing house, it is the only institution of its kind that publishes exclusively in Ghanaian languages.

Past Directors

NameBeginning of termEnd of term
R.C. Whitaker19511953
John A Hamilton19531956
Edwin L. Read Jr.19561958
Samuel K. Otoo19581968
Samuel K. Otoo19681972
Felix S. Konu19731982
Daniel E. K. Krampah19821995
John N. Nanor19952001
J. C. Abbey20012005
A.A . Arries-Tagoe20052005
Francis E. Kwaw20052018
William Boateng2018Date