In today’s globalized world, many African languages are at risk of dying out as younger generations opt for more popular languages like English or French. This trend is not unique to Africa, but it is a significant concern that threatens cultural diversity and heritage. Fortunately, individuals like Dr. Grace Karikari are working hard to promote African languages and cultures through Kenkan Books.

About Dr. Grace

Dr. Karikari is a Ghanaian-born author, YouTuber, public health educator, and researcher based in the United States. Dr. Grace Karikari (Dr. Gee) is an assistant professor, educator scholar, and researcher at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health. Assistant Professor at the University of North Dakota, Grace Karikari Ph.D., MPH, CHES is a Ghanaian academic making sure that Ghanaian kids in the diaspora don’t lose their knowledge of their local Ghanaian languages.

Her journey with Kenkan Books

As a mother of two young children, she noticed a lack of fun and engaging educational resources to help promote the speaking and learning of the Ghanaian languages for families in the diaspora.

To address this issue, Dr. Karikari and her family took the initiative to develop basic learning materials called KENKAN Books. The name KENKAN was derived from the Asante Twi word for “read.” The mission of KENKAN Books is to produce educational materials that provide children with the opportunity to learn and practice different local languages of African countries.

At present, KENKAN Books have publications in Ewe, Ga, and Twi languages. They are continuously working on expanding their resources to cover more African languages. KENKAN Books have brightly colored and illustrated pages that make them fun and easy for children to read and learn from. These books aim to promote African languages and culture while empowering children to learn more about their roots.

Dr. Karikari’s efforts to promote the speaking and learning of the Ghanaian languages are highly commendable. By creating fun and interactive learning resources for children, she is helping to preserve African heritage and promote cultural diversity.

As Africans, we all have a role to play in supporting and promoting our heritage. We can start by speaking our local languages at home and teaching them to our children. Parents can also encourage their children to read African literature and expose them to African culture through music, art, and food.

It is essential to support initiatives such as KENKAN Books that promote the learning of African languages. As we embrace globalization, we should not forget our cultural identity and roots. It is through our languages and culture that we can preserve our heritage and promote cultural diversity.

Dr. Grace Karikari is an inspiration to us all. Her efforts to promote African languages and culture are a reminder that we all have a part to play in supporting Mother Ghana and promoting Africa at large. We should continue to celebrate and promote the diversity that makes Africa unique.

Dr. Karikari’s efforts to promote African languages and culture are truly inspiring. Through her KENKAN Books initiative, she is not only providing a valuable resource for families in the diaspora but also promoting the importance of preserving local languages and culture.

Overall, Dr. Karikari is a shining example of what it means to be a responsible and engaged citizen. By promoting the use of local languages and working to improve health outcomes in underserved communities, she is making a positive impact both locally and globally.

As individuals, we all have a part to play in promoting African languages and culture. Whether it’s by speaking your local language at home or supporting initiatives like KENKAN Books, we can all contribute to the preservation and celebration of African culture. Let us all join in and do our part to support Mother Ghana and promote Africa at large.

Website: https://www.kenkanbooks.com/

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