Dr Emmanuel Nicholas Abaka, a language specialist at the University of Education, Winneba, has said that indigenous languages are the best tools the nation could use to hasten her socio-economic development. He said strenuous efforts must be made to ensure the effective teaching and learning of Ghanaian languages in all basic schools in the country. Speaking at a symposium organized by the Departments of Ghanaian Languages, University of Education, Winneba (UEW), to round off activities marking this year's 'International Mother Tongue Day' Dr, Abaka, said the only means by which the youth could properly and freely develop their talents to facilitate the real economic emancipation the nation was yearning for was through the ability to express themselves well in their mother tongue. The theme for this year's celebration was: 'The Role of Mother Tongue in National Development'. Dr Abaka cited Japan, South Korea, China, India, Malaysia and other developed nations that had successfully made meaningful impacts in their socio-economic developments through effective and sustained usage of their indigenous languages. He said unless the teaching and study of the indigenous Ghanaian languages at the basic level of education was encouraged and sustained, it would be difficult for the nation to advance in her socio-economic development at all levels. Dr Abaka said the time had come for Ghanaians to change their attitudes towards the speaking of their indigenous languages, adding that “We can never substitute our indigenous languages with English”, because it is one's indigenous language which gives him or her true identity. Mr E Avea Nsoh, Department of Gur-Gonja Education, UEW, reminded the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) of their responsibility to ensure the implementation of the education policy calling for the teaching and learning of all Ghanaian Languages for which books had already been written. Mr Nsoh, a Senior Lecturer of the University of Education, Winneba, was not happy that efforts to secure funds for the printing and publication of written Ghanaian languages had not received favourable response from both the Ministry of Education and the GES. He described the situation as a great setback to the development of the indigenous Ghanaian languages and urged the government to do something about it without delay. Source: GNA