Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, the Managing Director of CEOAFRICA and a prominent member of the African Languages Week Coordination Committee (ALWCC), has officially arrived in Accra for the celebration of African Languages Week (ALW) 2026. Hosted by the African Academy of Languages (ACALAN) at the University of Ghana, Legon, from February 23rd to 24th, 2026, this gathering marks a significant achievement as ACALAN, a specialized institution of the African Union (AU), leads the initiative to empower African languages as essential tools for education, integration, and economic growth. Prince Ilobanafor, recognized as a distinguished advocate for promoting African languages, brings extensive experience to this summit, having participated in and covered previous editions, including the landmark 2025 celebration Building on the momentum of those previous successes, Prince Ilobanafor expressed his excitement to be back at the forefront of this movement, emphasizing that “the use of indigenous languages is a powerful tool for bridging gaps and fostering connections across African borders.”
Upon his arrival, he underscored the strategic importance of this week, noting that the event serves as a critical period for reflection on the continent's cultural and developmental health.
He commended the new Ag. Executive Secretary of , African Academy of Languages (ACALAN)Prof. Dr. Vicensia Shule for her dedication towards promoting African Languages as a tool of continental development.
Prince Cletus further said that This year’s celebration is held under the vital theme: " Sustainable Waters, Shared Voices: African Languages as the Conduit for Water and Safe Sanitation for the Africa We Want ." Expressing his profound optimism for the initiative, Prince Ilobanafor stated, "The development of African languages as one of the main pillars of African cultures is therefore an indispensable factor in Africa's integration and development. We therefore call on our leaders and policymakers to provide the necessary support for our efforts to develop and promote our values and cultures." He noted that the Week is geared toward taking stock of how African languages are faring in the world of global languages to see where the continent stands today. As a powerful call to action, he urged governments at all levels to, within the requirements of their respective statutory functions, support and join in the celebration. He further maintained that, above all, the development and implementation of an all-inclusive national language policy in Africa is paramount to guarantee the preservation of all indigenous languages, especially those with a smaller number of native speakers.
Prince Ilobanafor clearly noted that "language is the natural custodian and preserver of the historical, literary, and intellectual treasures of indigenous culture," making its protection a matter of continental survival. He elaborated that African languages are more than just tools for communication; they are also carriers of cultural values and norms. Promoting their use helps preserve the cultural heritage of African societies and leverages language as a form of soft power. Supporting language education and cultural exchange programs creates an environment where Africa’s diverse cultures can flourish and engage positively with each other. This year's celebration is particularly significant as it coincides with ACALAN’s 20th Anniversary, continuing the mission established during the inaugural launch in Ouagadougou to ensure that all AU member states highlight native tongues as functional levers for the "Africa We Want."
The 2026 celebration acts as a strategic working summit for the ALWCC and project development experts to increase awareness and appreciation of Africa’s diverse languages while preparing project proposals for linguistic empowerment to ensure digital inclusion and justice. By ensuring that African languages play a key role in every AU member state’s journey toward middle-income status, the ALWCC aims to create empowered citizens capable of enhancing productivity and resolving conflicts amicably through their own linguistic heritage. Throughout the two-day event at Legon, participants will review reports from previous editions, finalize the strategic theme for the upcoming cycle, and advocate for the use of African languages in formal domains like science, technology, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). As Prince Ilobanafor joins these experts in Accra, his enthusiasm reflects a broader continental drive to transition from a reliance on colonial languages to a future where African voices for reparations, justice, and dignity are heard in their mother tongues.
Prince Cletus Ilobanafor landed in Accra with Dr Babajide Ojo, Former Senior Programme and Project Officer of ACALAN .
