Assessing Students' Attitudes toward the Study of Ghanaian Language in Private Basic Schools in the Western North Region of Ghana

The study assessed students' attitudes toward the study of a Ghanaian language in private basic schools. The population consists of students, a Ghanaian language teachers, the head teacher, and the proprietor of Saviour Academy in Bibiani, Western North Region of Ghana. The study sought to accomplish two primary objectives: to ascertain students' attitudes toward learning a Ghanaian language and to ascertain the factors that contribute to this attitude. Semi-structured interview guide was used for the data collection. The collected data were transcribed and coded manually, using descriptive coding method. The analysis of the data was guided by Grounded Theory. The study's findings indicated that upper primary students have a negative attitude toward the study of a Ghanaian language. However, students at the Junior High School level do not have a negative attitude toward the study of a Ghanaian language, but they devote less attention to it than they do to other subjects. School culture, a lack of recommended textbooks, a shortage of or a limited supply of professional Ghanaian Language teachers, parents' attitudes and perceptions of the society, and non-Ghanaian Language teachers' perceptions of a Ghanaian language studies contribute to students' low or negative attitudes toward the study of a Ghanaian languages. Ghanaian Language teachers should adopt student-centered teaching method with fun for teaching Ghanaian Language. Parents and the schools should encourage speaking of Ghanaian Language at homes and in schools respectively, since it is a recommended written and spoken Language in Ghana.