A dictionary is always the work of countless people, including all those who have contributed words or expressions, knowingly or unknowingly. Here we would mention only a few who have been major contributors, and express thanks to them for their help and support. This dictionary’s dedication already acknowledges the support of the late Chiana chief, Pɛ Ayagitam II.
Professor A.K. Awedoba of the Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, Legon has contributed several lists of words. In this we know he has drawn on the resources of those studying Kasem at the School of Ghana Languages and elsewhere. He has also taken the lead in settling the new orthography and spelling of Kasem on which this dictionary is based. We have made use of his collection of Kasem Proverbs, both to check the meanings of words and to include as examples.
The Bureau of Ghana Languages in Tamale, has been a support and help over many years, notably Mr. S.P. Wedjong of blessed memory in years past, and more recently Mr. Paul Agangba (now also sadly passed away), who has provided many helpful additions, as well as circulating drafts to fellow-linguists for comment. Mr Alexis Danti of the University of Cape Coast is among those who have provided valuable input. He also kindly produced 100 printed copies of the dictionary at his own expense.
Kasem Project staff, working under the auspices of GILLBT, have contributed in many ways, in writing and producing Kasem literature and in translation of the Bible into Kasem. This has all added to the language resources and enriched the dictionary. We have also drawn on the work of linguists in Burkina Faso who produced "Lexique Kassem-Français", published by SIL (2001) and which is now also available online at kassem-bf.webonary.org
We should also remember the work of Dr. John Callow and his wife, Kathleen. From 1962 into the 1970’s they compiled lexical files and lists, and started to format these into the beginnings of a Kasem-English dictionary.
Progress with this Dictionary has been helped considerably through means of the Annual Colloquium and Workshop conducted by the Department of Linguistics, University of Ghana, Legon, as part of the Trondheim–Legon Project.
To all these, and many more, we offer heartfelt thanks, and we also anticipate continuing additions and corrections through contributors to the comments facility in this Webonary edition.