Ghana

English

[eng] 1 (National). De facto national language. 11,708,600 in Ghana, all users. L1 users: 8,600 in Ghana (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. L2 users: 11,700,000 (2010 census), based on literacy rate in English of respondents 15 years old and older.

2 (Provincial)

Farefare

[gur] 2 (Provincial). De facto provincial language in Upper East Region. 638,000 in Ghana (2013 UNSD), increasing. 588,000 Gur and Nankansi, 49,200 Namnam (2013 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 663,100.

Mampruli

[maw] 2 (Provincial). De facto provincial language in northeast North Region. 316,000 in Ghana (2013 UNSD), increasing. Total users in all countries: 326,000.

3 (Wider communication)

Akan

[aka] 3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language. 9,100,000 in Ghana, all users. L1 users: 8,100,000 in Ghana (2013 UNSD). Population includes 111,000 Agona, 85,900 Ahafo, 626,000 Akuapem, 3,820,000 Asante, 142,000 Asen, 124,000 Dankyira, 2,730,000 Fante, 443,000 Kwawu, and 15,400 other (2013 UNSD). L2 users: 1,000,000. Total users in all countries: 9,329,800 (as L1: 8,329,800; as L2: 1,000,000).

Éwé

[ewe] 3 (Wider communication). Recognized language (1951, Laws of the Gold Coast, Vernacular Literature Board Ordinance, as amended by Ordinance No. 44). 3,820,000 in Ghana, all users. L1 users: 3,320,000 in Ghana (2013 UNSD), increasing. L2 users: 500,000. Total users in all countries: 5,525,320 (as L1: 5,025,320; as L2: 500,000).

Ghanaian Pidgin English

[gpe] 3 (Wider communication). Brought to Ghana by settlers from New World in early 16th century during colony years. Lingua franca of Accra and Southern towns in Ghana. Used as trade language, in workplace, business, politics, media, school (all domains). 5,002,000, all users. L1 users: 2,000 (1990 UBS). L2 users: 5,000,000 (2011 V. Velupillai).

Hausa

[hau] 3 (Wider communication). Used as L2 in the north. 565,000 in Ghana, all users. L1 users: 275,000 in Ghana (2017 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 290,000 (2019 Joshua Project).

4 (Educational)

Dagaare, Southern

[dga] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (1951, Laws of the Gold Coast, Vernacular Literature Board Ordinance, as amended by Ordinance No. 44). 924,000 (2013 UNSD), increasing.

Dagbani

[dag] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (1951, Laws of the Gold Coast, Vernacular Literature Board Ordinance, as amended by Ordinance No. 44). 1,160,000 (2013 UNSD), increasing.

Dangme

[ada] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (1951, Laws of the Gold Coast, Vernacular Literature Board Ordinance, as amended by Ordinance No. 44). 1,020,000 (2013 UNSD).

French

[fra] 4 (Educational). 244,000 in Ghana (Beck et al 2018), L2 users.

[gaa] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (1951, Laws of the Gold Coast, Vernacular Literature Board Ordinance, as amended by Ordinance No. 44). 745,000 in Ghana (2013 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 793,400.

Gonja

[gjn] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (1951, Laws of the Gold Coast, Vernacular Literature Board Ordinance, as amended by Ordinance No. 44). 310,000 (2013 UNSD), increasing.

Kasem

[xsm] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (1951, Laws of the Gold Coast, Vernacular Literature Board Ordinance, as amended by Ordinance No. 44). 149,000 in Ghana (2013 UNSD), increasing.

Nzema

[nzi] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (1951, Laws of the Gold Coast, Vernacular Literature Board Ordinance, as amended by Ordinance No. 44). 299,000 in Ghana (2013 UNSD). Includes 27,800 Evalue (2013 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 412,000.

5 (Developing)

Abron

[abr] 5* (Developing). 1,170,000 in Ghana (2013 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 1,393,000.

Adele

[ade] 5* (Developing). 11,000 in Ghana (2003).

Ahanta

[aha] 5* (Developing). 175,000 (2013 UNSD).

Akposo

[kpo] 5* (Developing). 7,500 in Ghana (2003).

Anufo

[cko] 5* (Developing). 91,300 in Ghana (2013 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 177,200.

Anyin

[any] 5* (Developing). 66,400 in Ghana (2013 UNSD).

Avatime

[avn] 5* (Developing). 27,200 (2013 UNSD).

Awutu

[afu] 5* (Developing). 129,000 (2013 UNSD).

Bisa

[bib] 5* (Developing). 243,000 in Ghana (2017 J. Leclerc).

Esahie

[sfw] 5* (Developing). 305,000 (2013 UNSD).

Hanga

[hag] 5* (Developing). 6,800 (2003 GILLBT), increasing. 4,100 in the traditional area, 2,700 elsewhere.

Kabiyè

[kbp] 5* (Developing).

Kulango, Bondoukou

[kzc] 5* (Developing). 27,000 in Ghana (2003 GILLBT).

Lama

[las] 5* (Developing). Several hundred or perhaps thousands in Ghana (1996).

Nawdm

[nmz] 5* (Developing).

Nkonya

[nko] 5* (Developing). 20,400 (2013 UNSD). 11,000 in the language area, the rest in the larger urban areas of Ghana.

Ntcham

[bud] 5* (Developing). 169,000 in Ghana (2013 UNSD).

Sisaala, Western

[ssl] 5* (Developing). 30,000 (2003 GILLBT). 219,000 Sisaala (2010 census).

Tafi

[tcd] 5* (Developing). 4,400 (2003).

Wasa

[wss] 5* (Developing). 273,000 (2013 UNSD).

Birifor, Southern

[biv] 5 (Developing). 183,000 in Ghana (2017 J. Leclerc), increasing. Total users in all countries: 187,310.

Buli

[bwu] 5 (Developing). 168,000 (2013 UNSD), increasing.

Chumburung

[ncu] 5 (Developing). 95,000 (2017 J. Leclerc), increasing.

Deg

[mzw] 5 (Developing). 42,900 in Ghana (2013 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 44,000.

Delo

[ntr] 5 (Developing). 10,900 in Ghana (2003), increasing. Total users in all countries: 18,400.

Ghanaian Sign Language

[gse] 5 (Developing). 152,000 (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 91,000–182,000 deaf signers, assuming 0.3%–0.6% of total population. Estimated 111,000 deaf people served by Ghana National Association of the Deaf (2019 GNAD).

Gikyode

[acd] 5 (Developing). 10,400 (2003), increasing.

Konkomba

[xon] 5 (Developing). 831,000 in Ghana (2013 UNSD), increasing. Total users in all countries: 915,700.

Konni

[kma] 5 (Developing). 3,800 (2003 GILLBT), increasing.

Krache

[kye] 5 (Developing). 83,000 (2017 J. Leclerc), increasing.

Kusaal

[kus] 5 (Developing). 535,000 in Ghana (2013 UNSD), increasing. 350,000 Agole, 70,000 Toende (2004 SIL). Total users in all countries: 549,000.

Lelemi

[lef] 5 (Developing). 72,000 (2017 J. Leclerc), increasing.

Nafaanra

[nfr] 5 (Developing). 89,000 in Ghana (2017 J. Leclerc), increasing.

Nawuri

[naw] 5 (Developing). 14,000 (2003 GILLBT), increasing.

Paasaal

[sig] 5 (Developing). 53,000 (2017 J. Leclerc), increasing.

Safaliba

[saf] 5 (Developing). 5,000 (2013 UNSD), increasing.

Sekpele

[lip] 5 (Developing). 23,000 (Ameka 2007).

Selee

[snw] 5 (Developing). 11,300 (2003 GILLBT).

Sisaala, Tumulung

[sil] 5 (Developing). 105,000 (2003 GILLBT). 219,000 Sisaala (2010 census).

Siwu

[akp] 5 (Developing). 71,900 (2013 UNSD).

Tampulma

[tpm] 5 (Developing). 16,000 (2003).

Tuwuli

[bov] 5 (Developing). 11,400 (2003 GILLBT).

Vagla

[vag] 5 (Developing). 13,900 (2013 UNSD), increasing.

Wali

[wlx] 5 (Developing). 84,800 (2013 UNSD).

5 (Dispersed)

Fulfulde, Maasina

[ffm] 5* (Dispersed). 4,240 in Ghana (2013 UNSD).

Tem

[kdh] 5* (Dispersed). 134,000 in Ghana (2013 UNSD).

Yoruba

[yor] 5* (Dispersed). 460,000 in Ghana (2017 J. Leclerc).

6a (Vigorous)

Adamorobe Sign Language

[ads] 6a (Vigorous). 41 (Kusters 2012). Many of the approximately 3,500 hearing people in Adamorobe village also use Adamorobe Sign Language, to varying degrees of proficiency (Nyst 2007, Kusters 2012).

Cherepon

[cpn] 6a* (Vigorous). 132,000 (2013 UNSD).

Dwang

[nnu] 6a (Vigorous). 8,200 (2003 GILLBT). 1,600 Bekye, 3,300 Kenyen, 3,300 Wiase.

Gua

[gwx] 6a* (Vigorous). 17,600 (2013 UNSD).

Jwira-Pepesa

[jwi] 6a* (Vigorous). 18,000 (2003 GILLBT).

Kamara

[jmr] 6a (Vigorous). 3,000 (2003 GILLBT), increasing. Ethnic population: 5,000 (2003 GILLBT).

Kplang

[kph] 6a (Vigorous). 1,600 (2003 GILLBT).

Kulango, Bouna

[nku] 6a* (Vigorous). 15,500 in Ghana (1991).

Larteh

[lar] 6a* (Vigorous). 107,000 (2017 J. Leclerc).

Ligbi

[lig] 6a* (Vigorous). 15,000 in Ghana (2003 GILLBT). Total users in all countries: 19,000.

Logba

[lgq] 6a* (Vigorous). 7,500 (2003).

Nkami

[nkq] 6a* (Vigorous). 7,000 (2009 SIL).

Nyangbo

[nyb] 6a* (Vigorous). 6,400 (2003).

6b (Threatened)

Adangbe

[adq] 6b* (Threatened). Ethnic population: 6,000 (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012). Total users in all countries: 4,000.

Bimoba

[bim] 6b* (Threatened). 176,000 (2013 UNSD). Ethnic population: 200,000.

Chakali

[cli] 6b (Threatened). 6,000 (2003 GILLBT).

Chala

[cll] 6b* (Threatened). 3,000 (2003 GILLBT).

Kantosi

[xkt] 6b (Threatened). 2,300 (2003 GILLBT). 280–400 in Sandema District, probably about 280 in Kpaliwongo.

Nchumbulu

[nlu] 6b* (Threatened). 1,800 (2003 SIL).

8a (Moribund)

Animere

[anf] 8a (Moribund). 30 (2006 R. Blench). Only a few fluent speakers left in an ethnic group of several hundred (Dimmendaal and Voeltz 2007).

Dompo

[doy] 8a (Moribund). 65 (Blench 1999a), decreasing. Ethnic population: 970 (2000).

Unestablished

Baoulé

[bci] Unestablished. 4,060 in Ghana (2013 UNSD).

Foodo

[fod] Unestablished. 1,000 in Ghana.

Ibibio

[ibb] Unestablished. 59,000 in Ghana (2017 J. Leclerc).

Igbo

[ibo] Unestablished. 61,000 in Ghana (2017 J. Leclerc).

Mòoré

[mos] Unestablished. 140,000 in Ghana (2013 UNSD).

Ghana

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