For the first time in the history of Ghana, the 1992 constitution of Ghana has been translated into one of the local dialects – Akuapem Twi, by Lawyer Kwasi Opare Esq. and launched in Accra on Wednesday, this week.
The purpose of the Akuapem version of the 1992 constitution is to give the general Twi speakers an alternate constitution that is easy to read, easy to understand and accurate, just as the English version.
The 1992 constitution, as the supreme law of the land, provides for the sharing of powers among a President, Parliament, Cabinet, Council of State and an independent Judiciary. Through its system of checks and balances, it avoids bestowing preponderant power on any specific branch of government.
According to the Translator, the rationale behind his efforts is to break the barrier of language that has barricaded and marginalised a greater majority of the populace and prevented them from getting access and understanding of our own governance system and structure.
According to him, he realised that so far, nobody or organisation or group has thought through to translate our Constitution into major Ghanaian languages, to bring the people closer to the principles of the laws that grant them their rights, liberties and obligations as citizens.
Mr Opare asserted that his translation would be of benefit to the country’s parliament, tertiary institutions, institutions, schools, churches, etc., so that most Ghanaians who can read and write English and Twi very well will make good use of the translation.
He further revealed that it took him two years to do this translation that entailed a lot of efforts, brainwork and cost to come this far.
The Translator, who is a lawyer by profession, hails from AkropongAkuapem in the Eastern Region. He holds LLB from University of London and was called to the English Bar in Middle Temple, UK.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief of Adumasa, Nana Ansah Kwaw IV, who was the chairman for the occasion, said indigenous languages are the vibrant tapestries of the culture and identity.
He noted that language is not a mere means of communication and that it affirms one’s identity. On the subject of identity, he said Ghanaians must make a cautious effort to stop their children from apologising that they are Ghanaians.
Nana commended Lawyer Kwasi Opare Esq. for translating the constitution into a language which will give more meaning to the people (Ghanaians) it protects.
