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Language Rights Online: Preserving Dagbani Heritage In the age of global connectivity, the right to access and create knowledge in one’s mother tongue is a fundamental digital right. This session explores the journey of the Dagbani Wikimedians User Group, a pioneering Wikimedia affiliate in Ghana that has transformed the digital landscape for the Mabia languages. From a vision born in the Wikipedia Incubator to the successful launch of four live Wikipedias (Dagbani, Gurene, Dagaare, and Kusaal), we have moved beyond simple translation to build a full-scale digital ecosystem. We will share how we mobilized a grassroots community of students and educators to bridge the gap between traditional oral heritage and modern technology. Key highlights of our model include: \* Institutional Stewardship: Establishing sustainable Wiki Hubs at institutions such as KNUST, TACE, BACE, and BIMBICO. \* Mass Advocacy: Reaching non-internet users through the Dagbani Wikipedia Saha TV program on Sagani TV and partnerships with the Dagbani Teachers Association. \* Technological Future-Proofing: Leveraging Mozilla Common Voice, NLP, and the Spell4Wiki app to ensure indigenous languages are represented in the future of AI and voice technology. Participants will gain insights into a scalable roadmap for language preservation, discovering how a dedicated volunteer movement can reclaim digital spaces, advocate for linguistic equity, and ensure that indigenous heritage is preserved for the 21st-century digital world.
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