The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), Malik Basintale, is calling on Ghana’s domestic airlines to incorporate local language translations in their in-flight announcements across all regional routes.
In a recent Facebook post, Mr. Basintale commended Africa World Airlines (AWA) for translating pilot announcements into Twi during a flight from Kumasi to Accra, a gesture he described as beautifully done and inclusive of native speakers from the Ashanti Region.
However, he noted with concern that the same practice was absent on a previous flight he took from Tamale to Accra.
“The plane had departed the great land of the Ya-Naa, yet no translation was offered in Dagbani,” he wrote.
He highlighted that such inconsistencies could alienate passengers who may not fully understand English.
“I can’t speak for Ho (Ewe), Takoradi (Fante), or Wa (Waala), since I haven’t used your services there, but I’m calling for the same beautiful translation into the local languages of areas you serve to help bridge the language barrier,” he added.
Mr. Basintale’s appeal is rooted in inclusivity. He believes that translating announcements into the widely spoken languages of each region can significantly enhance the passenger experience, particularly for elderly travelers and others less proficient in English.
“Language is not just a means of communication, it is a matter of identity and belonging,” he emphasized.
He urged airlines such as Africa World Airlines and Passion Air to adopt a consistent policy of translating in-flight information into the dominant local language of each route’s departure point.
“As a country with rich linguistic diversity, Ghana must ensure that everyone feels represented, even at 30,000 feet,” he concluded.
His appeal has since received attention on social media, sparking discussion around linguistic inclusion and customer experience in the country’s aviation industry.
