The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Suriname to Ghana, H.E. Fidelia Graand-Galon, has called for the establishment of educational institutions in Suriname and other Caribbean countries to teach Ghanaian and other African languages, describing the initiative as an important step toward reconnecting descendants of enslaved Africans with their cultural roots.
Speaking in an interview with 1960news.com on the sidelines of the launch of Ahanta Heritage Month 2026, the ambassador said many Afro-descendant communities in Suriname and across the Caribbean have lost their ancestral languages after centuries of slavery and colonial rule, leaving them disconnected from an important part of their identity.
According to her, a discussion with another ambassador in Ghana made her realise that the ancestors of many people in Suriname originated from several ethnic and linguistic groups in present-day Ghana, yet their descendants no longer speak those languages.
She explained that today, many people in Suriname communicate primarily in Dutch, which is the country’s official language, as well as other European and locally developed languages, while only fragments of their original African languages remain.
“In my country, we have different languages influenced by African, English, Portuguese and Dutch traditions, but the original African languages have largely disappeared. We mostly remember only a few words and names,” she said.
The ambassador noted that this linguistic disconnect has created barriers for many Afro-descendants who wish to reconnect with their ancestral homeland.
“If no one translates for me, I don’t understand what is being said. We want to understand and communicate in the languages of Africa, especially those spoken in Ghana,” she stated.
She revealed that although she knows a few Ghanaian expressions, including “medaase,” she believes much more needs to be done to preserve and teach African languages to descendants living in the diaspora.
“I want to know more than just a few words. Sometimes we even mispronounce words because it has been about 400 years since our ancestors left Africa,” she explained.
As an example, she recounted how a word she had long known in Suriname carried a different pronunciation and interpretation when she arrived in Ghana, highlighting how centuries of separation have altered language and cultural understanding.
Ambassador Graand-Galon stressed that language education should not be limited to universities but should also be introduced at the primary and secondary school levels, or through dedicated institutions where people can voluntarily study African languages and culture.
She said such educational initiatives would deepen cultural ties between Ghana and the Caribbean while helping descendants of enslaved Africans rediscover their heritage.
The envoy also encouraged stronger exchanges between Ghana and members of the African diaspora, saying many Afro-descendants are eager to visit the land of their ancestors.
According to her, these visits should not only allow people to reconnect with their roots but also create opportunities for mutual learning and cultural exchange.
“Many of our people want to come back to Ghana to see where their ancestors came from, and they also want Ghana to see what they have achieved over the years. Let there be an exchange,” she said.
Beyond language and cultural reconnection, Ambassador Graand-Galon said descendants of enslaved Africans are also seeking historical clarity about the transatlantic slave trade.
She noted that many people in the diaspora grew up hearing narratives that their ancestors were sold by fellow Africans, and called for greater historical engagement to establish the truth.
“Some of us were told that our fathers and mothers sold us into slavery. That is the story we know. We want the truth. People may say that is not what happened, but we need the evidence so we can better understand our history,” she said.
Her remarks formed part of broader discussions during the launch of Ahanta Heritage Month 2026, an initiative aimed at preserving the history, culture and identity of the Ahanta people while promoting conversations on historical justice, cultural restoration and stronger ties between Ghana and the African diaspora.
By 1960news.com
