When most people think of the Twi language, Ghana immediately comes to mind—and rightly so. It’s a dominant tongue heard in homes, markets, and schools, especially across regions like Ashanti and Greater Accra. Twi, a dialect of the Akan language, is so deeply woven into Ghanaian life that it’s almost a national symbol.
But what many don’t realize is that Twi isn’t exclusive to Ghana. The language, carried by migration, history, and resilience, has made its way into other parts of Africa—and even across oceans. Here are four surprising countries where Twi is still spoken today:
1. Ivory Coast
Thanks to centuries of cross-border movement, many Akan-speaking people have long established roots in Côte d’Ivoire. Some migrated for farming or trade, while others fled conflict. During colonial times, Ashantis were also relocated across the border.
Today, Twi is spoken in communities close to Ghana’s western neighbor, keeping the language alive beyond Ghana’s borders.
2. Jamaica
Jamaica’s connection to Twi traces back to the transatlantic slave trade. Many enslaved Africans brought to the Caribbean were from the Akan ethnic group.
While colonialism erased much of their native languages, fragments of Twi still exist in Jamaican speech and traditions. Some Jamaicans continue to use Twi words, preserving a linguistic thread to their ancestors.
3. Benin
In Benin, especially in the north, pockets of Akan heritage still thrive. Migration across West Africa centuries ago brought Twi-speaking groups into the region. These families have passed down the language across generations, along with cultural practices rooted in Akan identity.
4. Suriname
Suriname, located in South America, might seem far removed from Ghana, but it shares an emotional and cultural bridge through history. During the slave trade, many West Africans were brought to this Dutch-speaking country.
Amazingly, some communities in Suriname have held onto languages like Twi, integrating them into their unique African diaspora traditions.
Twi’s journey through time and borders shows how language can endure through hardship, migration, and cultural blending. From Africa to the Americas, the Akan legacy lives on—spoken softly, but proudly, in unexpected places.
Source: NewsandVibes.com
