“If Sissali Programme graduates are not employed, students will stay away” — Elizabeth Ndogowira Luri
Alarm has been raised over the declining enrolment in the Sissali Language Programme, with concerns that the continuous lack of employment opportunities for graduates could further discourage prospective students.The warning was issued by Elizabeth Ndogowira Luri, Speaker of the Sissala East Youth Parliament and a first-class graduate of the Sissali Language Programme, who cautioned that the future of the language is increasingly at risk if urgent steps are not taken.
The future of the Sissali language, she noted, is under growing threat as interest in its formal study continues to decline, raising concern among educators, cultural advocates and community leaders.
Ms Luri made these remarks while delivering the keynote address at the 14th Sissala Youth Forum Annual General Meeting, held under the theme “Preserving Voices and Heritage: Building a Future with the Sissali Language Project.” During her address, she drew attention to the worrying state of the Sissala Language Programme at the University of Education, Ajumako Campus.According to her, enrolment figures in the programme have been falling steadily, largely due to uncertainty surrounding life after graduation. She explained that many prospective students are discouraged by the absence of clear employment opportunities, particularly for the first cohort of graduates, making the programme appear risky in the eyes of young people and their families.
“When there is no visible career pathway, interest naturally declines,” she observed, stressing that students are unlikely to invest years of study in a programme whose future remains uncertain.
Ms Luri further attributed the declining enrolment to financial constraints that prevent many qualified students from enrolling, as well as negative public perceptions about the relevance and long-term prospects of studying the Sissali language.
To reverse the trend, she called for urgent and coordinated action from all stakeholders. She urged political leaders and relevant institutions to prioritise financial support for students admitted into the programme, noting that scholarships and sponsorships could significantly boost enrolment.
She also emphasised the need to ensure that graduates of the programme – especially those in the first cohort – are gainfully employed. According to her, visible employment outcomes would send a strong signal that the programme offers real and viable opportunities, thereby restoring confidence and attracting more students.
In a strong appeal to traditional authorities, Ms Luri proposed that chiefs across Sissala communities should each sponsor at least one individual to study the Sissali language. She described the initiative as a community-driven approach to safeguarding the language and strengthening cultural ownership.
Participants at the meeting have echoed similar concerns, stressing that preserving the Sissali language requires more than goodwill and rhetoric. According to the communique issued by the Forum, in order to address these issues the following points were proposed that:
1. All stakeholders, including our political leadership should prioritize extending financial support to students who have gained admission to study the programme as they is most likely going to pull people towards the programme.
2. Stakeholders should work assiduously to ensure the first cohort of students under this programme are employed to provide a clear and definite career pathway, which will motivate people to study the programme.
3. Strong community support particularly from the chiefs.
By Arafat Dimah