From French Roots to a Global Language Hub: The Remarkable Rise of KNUST ’s Department of Language and Communication Studies
By: Rose Adjei Asamoah
Born quietly in 1983 as a small French unit in a science focused university, KNUST’s Department of Language and Communication Sciences has transformed into one of the institution’s most vibrant, diverse, and fast-growing academic communities now shaping global communicators, cultural ambassadors, and media professionals for the future.
What began four decades ago as the French Language Department under the leadership of the late Prof. A. Owusu-Sarpong has blossomed into a dynamic, multi-disciplinary powerhouse. Its creation was bold for a science and technology university, yet visionary administrators understood early that language is the heartbeat of human connection and an indispensable tool across all fields. The department’s evolution accelerated in 2003 when Akan Language was introduced, prompting a
rebrand to the Department of Modern Languages. But the real transformation came in 2019, when the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) approved a major expansion, paving the way for new programmes in Linguistics and Media and Communication Studies. This milestone set the department on a path toward its current identity: the Department of Language and Communication Sciences. By 2023, the first cohorts of the new programmes had graduated marking the beginning of a new era.
Today, the department stands tall as one of the largest at KNUST, offering six undergraduates programmes that reflect its broadened mandate and global outlook: French and Francophone Studies, Media and Communication Studies, Akan Language and Culture, Chinese Studies, Linguistics and Spanish Studies. Alongside the successful introduction of Spanish, plans are underway to launch German. Existing programmes are also being refined, such as rebranding Akan Language to Akan Language and
Culture, to reflect both linguistic and cultural dimensions. At the postgraduate level, the department offers MA, MPhil, and PhD degrees in French, while
additional short courses - delivered both in-person and virtually- equip learners with practical language and communication skills.
Future Plans: Advancing Scholarship and Research
The upcoming academic year promises even more growth, with plans to launch: An MPhil in Linguistics and an MPhil in Media and Communication Studies. These additions reaffirm the department ’s commitment to advancing scholarship in language, media, and communication.
Driving KNUST’s Mission Through Service and Scholarship
Aligned with the University’s core mission of Teaching, Research, and Community Service, the department plays a vital role across all three areas:
Translation services across its array of languages, growing research output, especially from postgraduate scholars, and preservation of cultural heritage by teaching languages as carriers of identity, history, and social values while its staff uphold KNUST’s mission and vision through professional excellence, academic rigor, and community engagement.
Empowering Staff and Students for the Future
The department’s growth is matched by its commitment to people, its staff and its students. Staff benefit from research opportunities, access to grants, academic conferences, and professional development initiatives. Students enjoy a supportive, interactive learning environment through collaborative teaching, hands-on assignments, and dedicated supervision. When needed, the department provides formal documents such as commendation letters, introductory letters, and official reports to support students’ academic and professional journeys.
A Department Poised for Greater Heights
From its modest beginnings as a single-language department to its current status as a global centre for languages and communication, the Department of Language and Communication Studies continues to evolve with purpose and passion. As it expands into new linguistic and academic territories, it stands ready to equip the next generation of communicators, translators, media professionals, and cultural ambassadors, both in Ghana and beyond.