About

My research has focused on the syntax and semantics of Akan and other Kwa languages in Ghana. I’m also interested in exploring the structure of African languages. Crucial among my research is my work on serial verb constructions, grammatical relations, and the semantics and argument structure of Akan verbs. In the course of my career with University of Ghana, I've held the following administrative positions: Head of Department, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, and Pro Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs.

Education

PhD, Linguistics, University of Oregon, 1994
MPhil, Linguistics, University of Ghana, 1986
BA, English and Linguistics, University of Ghana, 1981

Research Interest

My research interests are:

• Syntax/Semantics
• Functional Typological Syntax
• Structure of African Languages
• Structure of Akan and other Kwa Languages

Publications

Journal articles

Abunya, Levina Nyameye, Asante, Rogers Krobea, & E. Kweku Osam. (2025). Animacy distinction in Kaakye. Contemporary Journal of African Studies 12(1), 183-222. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/contjas.v12i1.6

Abunya, Levina Nyameye & E. Kweku Osam (2022). Relativization in Kaakye. Legon Journal of the Humanities 33(1), 1-38. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ljh.v33i1.1

Duah, Reginald A., E. Kweku Osam & Nana Aba A. Amfo (2021). Event Types and (In)Directness of Causation in Akan. Cognitive Semantics 7, 54-84.

Agyepong, Dorothy P. & E. Kweku Osam (2020). The Semantics and Argument Realization Potential of Akan Verbs of Separation. Journal of West African Languages 47(1), 30- 49.

Marfo, Charles & Osam, E. Kweku (2018). Optimal Inflections as Asymmetry between Nominal and Verbal Reduplications in Akan. Ghana Journal of Linguistics 7(2), 33- 51. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/gjl.v7i2.2

Agyepong, Dorothy Pokua, Amfo, Nana Aba Appiah, & Osam, E. Kweku. (2017). Literal and Metaphorical Usages of ‘Eat’ and ‘Drink’ in Akan. Nordic Journal of African Studies 26(1): 62–78.

Kambon, Obadele, Osam, E. Kweku, & Amfo, Nana Aba (2015). A Case for Revisiting Definitions of Serial Verb Constructions: Evidence from Serial Verb Nominalizations in Akan. Studies in African Linguistics, 44 (2), 75-99.

Osam, E. Kweku, Charles Marfo and Kofi Agyekum (2013). The Morphophonology of the Akan Reduplicated Verb-form. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 9(2), 45-56.

Osam, E. Kweku, Reginald Duah and Afua Blay (2011). The So-called Postpositions in Akan: A Reconsideration. Journal of West African Languages Vol. 38 No. 2, 107-118.

Bobuafor, Mercy, E. Kweku Osam and Paul Agbedor (2006/07). Some Verbal Alternations in Ewe. Afrika und Übersee Vol. 89, 109-126. [Publ. 2009]

Osam, E. Kweku (2008). Imaging a President: Rawlings in the Ghanaian Chronicle. Legon Journal of the Humanities. Vol. 19, 109-134.

Osam, E. Kweku (2008). Verbal Alternations in Akan. Journal of African Languages and Linguistics, Vol. 29 (1), 97-118.

Osam, E. Kweku (2007). A Note on the Cross-dialectal Diffusion of Grammaticalization: The Case of Ma in Akan. Acta Linguistica Hafniensia, Vol. 40, 111-120.

Mathangwane, Joyce T. and E. Kweku Osam (2006). Grammatical Relations in Ikalanga. Studies in African Linguistics. Vol. 35 No. 2, 189-208.

Osam, E. Kweku (2002). Old Needs, New Methods: The Discourse of Ghanaian Personal Advertisements. Legon Journal of the Humanities. Vol. 13, 75-90.

Osam, E. Kweku (2002). Reflexive Marking and Related Functions in Akan. Journal of Asian and African Studies. No. 64, 141-151.

Osam, E. Kweku (2000). The Status of the Indirect Object in Akan. Journal of Asian and African Studies, Vol. 59, 171-177.

Osam, E. Kweku (1999). Adjectives in Akan. Afrika und Übersee, Vol. 82, 189-211.

Osam, E. Kweku (1998). Complementation in Akan. Journal of African Languages and Linguistics, Vol. 19, 21-43.

Osam, E. Kweku (1996). The History of Akan Complementizers. Journal of Asian and African Studies, No. 51, 93-103.

Osam, E. Kweku (1996). The Object Relation in Akan. Afrika und Übersee, Vol. 79, 57-83.

Osam, E. Kweku (1995). The Middle Construction in Akan. Journal of Asian and African Studies, No. 50, 59-72.

Osam, E. Kweku (1994). From Serial Verbs to Prepositions and the Road Between. Sprachtypologie und Universalienforschung Vol.47:1, 16-36.

Osam, E. Kweku (1993). Animacy Distinctions in Akan Grammar. Studies in the Linguistic Sciences, Vol. 23, No. 2, 153-164. [Publ Oct. 1996]

Osam, E. Kweku (1993). The Loss of the Noun Class System in Akan. Acta Linguistica Hafniensia Vol. 26, 81-106.

Osam, E. Kweku (1988). Linking Language and Culture: The Case of Akan Interjections. Legon Journal of the Humanities Vol. 4, 67-76.

Books
Agyekum, Kofi, E. Kweku Osam, and Apenteng Sackey (2011). Akan Terminology: English-Akan Linguistic and Media Glossary. Accra: Adwensa Publications.

Osam, E. Kweku. 2004. The Trondheim Lectures. An introduction to Akan: Its verbal and multiverbal systems. Legon: University of Ghana.

Edited Book
Osam, E. Kweku and Obadele B. Kambon (eds.) (2023). Aspects of Akan Verbal Semantics. Accra: Linguistics Association of Ghana.