The essence of language to human existence cannot be overemphasized. Language is a system people use in communicating with one another. It therefore forms a way of life of a people.

Language is an integral part of our culture, our heritage, our traditions which is passed on from one generation to the next.

The use of African languages is therefore very critical to the African people, because it gives us a sense of belonging. Our languages unify us and that explains why we mostly feel an inner joy whenever we hear people speak our language, especially when we are far from home.

There is however a need for us as Africans to engage in using our languages more or risk watching them fade away which would be tantamount to losing our identities.

The African Academy of Languages (ACALAN) has been flying the flag for Africa’s integration and development by empowering African languages since its formation in 2001.

The founding Executive Secretary of ACALAN, Mr Adama Samassekou of Mali and his successor, Professor  Sozinho Francisco Matsinhe both recognized the importance of effective communication in charting the course of development of any nation. They highlighted also that significant majority of Africans do not speak the colonial languages that were retained as official languages in most member states of the African Union, hence the need to empower African languages as languages of instructions and official languages.

The Acting Executive Secretary of ACALAN, Dr. Lang Fafa Dampha upon assuming his current position, built upon the foundation laid by his predecessors, by systematically bringing African languages to the discourse on development and demonstrating how important our languages are for the integration and development of the African continent.

He has since been at the forefront of this struggle since assumption of office in 2015. Even prior to becoming Ag. When he was Senior Research Programme Officer Executive Secretary, Dr. Dampha conducted and coordinated research and programme at the Academy.

ACALAN has made giant strides in recent years and unsurpringly, Dr. Dampha has been central to ACALAN’s activities. He has led by example, bringing his expertise and experience to the fore and charting the course for the academy.

He has demonstrated over time that he is a through researcher and has brought this quality to bear in his current position at ACALAN, by identifying problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

The Academy has just established a Pan-African School of Translation and Interpretation which is part of ACALAN’s core projects. ACALAN has also just launched its online TV, all dedicated to integrating African by promoting African languages in all domains of life in Africa. It is indeed a landmark achievement for ACALAN under the leadership of Dr. Lang.

Without a doubt, this will bring about a multiplier effect of promoting the knowledge and usage of African languages.

One can therefore say without any reservation that ACALAN under Dr. Dampha is moving in the right direction.