This update, developed with support from Google’s AI Research Center in Accra, allows Ghanaians to use voice commands in Twi for searching, typing, and translating. This integration enables millions of Twi speakers to interact with technology more naturally in their native language.
Other West African languages, such as Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, and Nigerian Pidgin, have also been added. "This technology will impact over 300 million people across the continent, empowering them to interact with the web through voice. It's an example of Google in Africa building tech solutions for Africans and beyond,” said Alex Okosi, Managing Director of Google Africa. This extension of voice support is part of Google’s broader mission to make information universally accessible. Matt Brittin, Google’s President for Europe, Middle East, and Africa, noted, "The coming decade will be Africa’s digital decade. Reaching 300 million people across Africa with Voice Search, Gboard voice typing, and Translate voice input is a major milestone."
With this addition, Twi joins recently supported African languages on Voice Search and Gboard, including Chichewa, Somali, Shona, and Tswana. Google’s expansion highlights its ongoing commitment to creating technology that meets the needs of African communities, marking a significant step toward digital inclusion for Ghana's Twi-speaking population.
