Ohio University Launches Undergraduate and Master’s Programs in Asante Twi

Ohio University has introduced Undergraduate and Master’s degree programs in Asante Twi, marking a significant step in promoting Akan language, culture, and research on a global academic stage. The new programs, officially titled “Study Akan”, position Asante Twi as a language of literature, history, and scholarly exploration in Ghana and beyond.

The initiative aims to provide students with linguistic proficiency while deepening their understanding of Akan traditions, oral literature, and cultural identity. Asante Twi, a widely spoken dialect in Ghana, is a dominant language of communication in the Ashanti Region and other Akan-speaking areas.

According to the university’s Department of African Studies, the program is designed to equip students with critical language skills, fostering opportunities in diplomacy, academia, cultural preservation, and international research collaborations.

The introduction of Asante Twi at the graduate level is expected to attract linguists, historians, and cultural researchers interested in the Akan civilization and its contributions to African heritage.

This move aligns with a broader push by global institutions to preserve and promote African languages as essential tools for academic discourse, cultural diplomacy, and identity reclamation. Ohio University’s program is expected to set a precedent for other universities to adopt indigenous African languages as formal fields of study.