Abstract:
This article explores current public perceptions in Ghana about the
National Literacy Acceleration Programme (NALAP), a mother tonguebased
bilingual medium of instruction (MTB-BMoI) policy for early
childhood education. The researchers conducted an exploratory
study of public reactions towards the Minister for Education’s statement
on revamping the program made at the Shared Prosperity
Forum held in Accra, Ghana. The article includes an overview of the
history of early childhood education language of instruction (LoI) in
Ghana and the rationale for the NALAP. Conversations with education
officers and parents about their views on the NALAP were analyzed.
The findings reflect strong negative feelings about the program
among many Ghanaians who express a preference for English-only
LoI. The paper discusses the importance of bilingual LoI in early childhood
as well as the need to obtain public support, especially among
parents, to facilitate full implementation of the program in Ghana.
Recommendations for public engagement are proposed.
