Dagbani language

Dagbani (or Dagbane), also known as Dagbanli and Dagbanle, is a Gur language that is spoken in Ghana and Northern Togo. Its native speakers are estimated around 3,160,000. That number increases to more than 6,000,000 if mutually-intelligible languages such as Mamprusi are added. It is a compulsory subject in primary and junior high schools in the Dagbon Kingdom, which covers the north-eastern part of Ghana. Dagbani is the most widely spoken language in northern Ghana, specifically among the tribes that fall under the authority of the King of Dagbon, known as the Yaa-Naa.

Dagbon is a traditional kingdom situated in northern Ghana, and the Yaa-Naa is the paramount chief or king who governs over the various tribes and communities within the Dagbon kingdom.

It is closely related to and mutually intelligible with the Mampruli, Nabit, Talni, Kamara, Kantosi, and Hanga also spoken in Northern, North East, Upper East, and Savannah Regions. Dagbani is also similar to the other languages of the same subgroup spoken in other regions. This include the Dagaare and Wali languages, spoken in Upper West Region of Ghana, and the Frafra and Kusaal, spoken in Upper East Region of Ghana.