The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has said that 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.
Barau was in Accra, the capital of the Republic of Ghana, where he urged young people to embrace the promotion and preservation of their cultural heritage.
He made the remarks as the Guest of Honour at the World Hausa Day 2026 celebration, organised by Hausa Youth Ghana at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra, at the weekend.
He commended Hausa Youth Ghana for promoting the Hausa language, culture and heritage, describing the initiative as a significant contribution to strengthening relations between Ghana and Nigeria.
He was accompanied by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army and Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, Senator Abdulazeez Yar’Adua; the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, Senator Muntari Dandutse; and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, Senator Lawal Adamu Usman.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, the Deputy President of the Senate 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 much more than a means of communication, stressing that the language has, for centuries, served as a bridge among people across West Africa and played significant roles in commerce, scholarship, diplomacy, literature, traditional institutions and social interaction.
According to him, the widespread use of Hausa across national borders reflects the deep historical, cultural and social connections that exist among Africans.
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, urging young people to take the lead in preserving, promoting and modernising the language.
He challenged Hausa youth in Ghana and across Africa to take pride in their heritage and channel it towards building a better future.
He urged them to pursue quality education, acquire modern skills, embrace innovation, establish businesses, create opportunities for others and contribute positively to the communities in which they live.
In a significant gesture towards supporting education and the preservation of the Hausa language, Senator Barau awarded scholarships to two members of the Hausa community in Ghana to study the 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.
