Binyam Sisay Mendisu, Professor of African Languages and Linguistics and Associate Dean at The Africa Institute, Global Studies University (GSU), presented at the African Languages Conference (AFLC) 2026, held from February 23–24 in Accra, Ghana.
The conference took place from February 23–24, 2026, with the on-site program hosted at the ISSER Conference Hall at the University of Ghana, Legon, with sessions conducted online with live streaming and interpretation.
AFLC 2026, under the theme “Language Justice: African Languages for Social and Economic Development,” brought together scholars, educators, policymakers, technologists, translators, and community leaders to explore the role of African languages in education, governance, and digital innovation.
On February 24, Professor Mendisu delivered an individual presentation in Amharic as part of Sub-theme #4: Educational Transformation. Titled “Whose ‘Ability’ to Sustain? The Paradox of Language-in-Education in Africa,” the talk examined how language policies in education systems across the continent have affected learning outcomes and social inclusion.
The presentation highlighted that many education systems implemented in recent decades have not consistently improved learners’ social and economic outcomes. It identified the marginalization of local languages in formal schooling as a contributing factor and emphasized that sustainable education requires grounding in linguistic and cultural contexts. Professor Mendisu argued for educational models that foreground local languages while maintaining access to regional and international lingua francas, stressing the importance of mother-tongue education and context-sensitive policy design.
Since its founding in 2022, AFLC has become a multilingual platform aligned with the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022–2032). The 2026 edition included over 40 sessions in numerous African languages, alongside keynote lectures, institutional panels, workshops on language technology, and a public book exhibition showcasing publications in and about African languages.
Professor Mendisu’s participation reflects Global Studies University’s engagement in international scholarly forums and ongoing research in African languages, education systems, and language justice.
Binyam Sisay Mendisu, Professor of African Languages and Linguistics and Associate Dean at The Africa Institute, Global Studies University (GSU), presented at the African Languages Conference (AFLC) 2026, held from February 23–24 in Accra, Ghana.
Binyam Sisay Mendisu, Professor of African Languages and Linguistics and Associate Dean at The Africa Institute, Global Studies University (GSU), presented at the African Languages Conference (AFLC) 2026, held from February 23–24 in Accra, Ghana.
The conference took place from February 23–24, 2026, with the on-site program hosted at the ISSER Conference Hall at the University of Ghana, Legon, with sessions conducted online with live streaming and interpretation.
AFLC 2026, under the theme “Language Justice: African Languages for Social and Economic Development,” brought together scholars, educators, policymakers, technologists, translators, and community leaders to explore the role of African languages in education, governance, and digital innovation.
On February 24, Professor Mendisu delivered an individual presentation in Amharic as part of Sub-theme #4: Educational Transformation. Titled “Whose ‘Ability’ to Sustain? The Paradox of Language-in-Education in Africa,” the talk examined how language policies in education systems across the continent have affected learning outcomes and social inclusion.
The presentation highlighted that many education systems implemented in recent decades have not consistently improved learners’ social and economic outcomes. It identified the marginalization of local languages in formal schooling as a contributing factor and emphasized that sustainable education requires grounding in linguistic and cultural contexts. Professor Mendisu argued for educational models that foreground local languages while maintaining access to regional and international lingua francas, stressing the importance of mother-tongue education and context-sensitive policy design.
Since its founding in 2022, AFLC has become a multilingual platform aligned with the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022–2032). The 2026 edition included over 40 sessions in numerous African languages, alongside keynote lectures, institutional panels, workshops on language technology, and a public book exhibition showcasing publications in and about African languages.
Professor Mendisu’s participation reflects Global Studies University’s engagement in international scholarly forums and ongoing research in African languages, education systems, and language justice.
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