Barau in Ghana: Preserve Hausa Heritage, Embrace Education, Innovation

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has urged young people to take an active role in preserving, promoting and modernising the Hausa language and cultural heritage.
Senator Barau made the call as Guest of Honour at the World Hausa Day 2026 celebration organised by Hausa Youth Ghana at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra, Ghana, at the weekend.
He commended Hausa Youth Ghana for its efforts towards promoting the Hausa language, culture and heritage, describing the initiative as a significant contribution to strengthening the relationship between Ghana and Nigeria.
The Deputy President of the Senate was accompanied by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army and Chairman, Northern Senators Forum, Senator Abdulazeez Yar’Adua; Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, Senator Muntari Dandutse; and Chairman, Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, Senator Lawal Adamu Usman.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, Senator Barau described World Hausa Day as an important platform for celebrating the rich heritage, language, culture and identity of the Hausa people, while promoting friendship, unity and mutual understanding among communities.

He noted that Hausa is more than a means of communication, stressing that the language has, for centuries, served as a bridge among people across West Africa and played important roles in commerce, scholarship, diplomacy, literature, traditional institutions and social interaction.
According to him, the widespread use of Hausa across national borders demonstrates the deep historical, cultural and social connections among African communities.
“Ghana and Nigeria share a long history of interaction in trade, education, migration, culture and diplomacy. The Hausa community in Ghana has also continued to make meaningful contributions to the social and economic development of the country while preserving its cultural heritage,” he said.
Senator Barau, who is the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, stressed that the continued survival of the Hausa language depends largely on its transmission from one generation to another.
He therefore urged young people to take the lead in preserving, promoting and modernising the language, while challenging Hausa youth in Ghana and across Africa to take pride in their heritage and channel it towards building a better future.
He encouraged them to pursue quality education, acquire modern skills, embrace innovation, establish businesses, create opportunities for others and contribute positively to the communities where they live.
As part of his support for education and the preservation of the Hausa language, Senator Barau awarded scholarships to two members of the Hausa community in Ghana to study Hausa Language at undergraduate or postgraduate level in Nigerian universities.
He also extended warm greetings to the Government and people of the Republic of Ghana, reaffirming the importance of the enduring friendship and strong relations between Ghana and Nigeria.