Why this matters
Ghana is a country of many languages. In the north alone you will hear Dagbani, Gurene, Dagaare, Gonja, Mampruli, Kusaal, Hausa and more, alongside English and Twi. Many people speak several languages fluently but read none of them comfortably, or read English slowly. A product that assumes fast English reading leaves out many potential customers. Designers who can make products clear for people with different reading levels and languages are valuable to fintechs, agritech companies, health services and NGOs.
Low literacy is not low intelligence. People who read little often manage complex money, stock and family matters entirely in their heads. Your job is to remove reading as a barrier, not to simplify the person.
Plain language first
- Use short, common words: "Send money", not "Initiate transfer".
- One idea per sentence. Keep sentences short.
- Put the most important word first: "Paid: 50 cedis" rather than "Your transaction of 50 cedis has been completed successfully".
- Avoid abbreviations people may not know.
- Use numbers as digits. Many people who read little words read numbers well, especially money amounts and phone numbers.
Icons, images and familiar cues
Icons help, but only when people recognise them. A floppy disk "save" icon means nothing to someone who never used one. Pair icons with short labels, and test whether people understand them. Pictures of real items, such as cedi notes, a bag of maize or a phone, can work better than abstract symbols. Colour helps but should not carry meaning alone.