‘Take study of languages seriously’
The German Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Christoph Retzlaff, has called on students to take the study of languages seriously in order to reap the numerous benefits as they begin their careers in various disciplines.
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Opening the 10th edition of the National German Cultural Festival at the Goethe-Institut in Accra, he charged the students, who were drawn from various parts of the country, to concentrate on their books, follow their dreams and aim for the very best after their graduation from universities and other institutions.
He said Germany, a country of science and technology, had very good relations with Ghana, adding that there were scholarships and fellowship schemes available for qualified Ghanaian students and urged them to take advantage of them.
German Language
The ambassador revealed that though the German Language was not officially on the curriculum of most schools, there were several clubs throughout Ghana teaching German with the support of the Goethe-Institut in Accra.
“I studied both French and English as foreign languages while in school. Both have been instrumental in the development of my career as a diplomat and improvement in my personal life,” he told the students.
Welcoming over 500 students to the festival, Ms Anne Eberhard, Director of the Goethe-Institut, said the festival had developed over the past 10 years and encouraged the study of the German Language in various second cycle and tertiary institutions throughout the country.
She stated that the theme “Die Zukunft Beginnt Jetzt” (The Future Starts Now) is based on Ghana’s 60th independence anniversary as well as the 60th anniversary of relations between Ghana and Germany. Consequently, it is meant to challenge students to deploy their creative skills as they looked to the future.
Participating schools
A number of schools, colleges and universities from the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Volta and Central regions took part in the festival, which involved performance competitions in music, dance, drama, poetry and spoken word in German. It was won by the Goethe-Institut in Accra.
Participating schools included University of Cape Coast, the Ghana Institute of Languages (Kumasi), University of Education, Winneba, School of Translators, Accra Academy SHS, Goethe-Institut, Cradle Grace Montessori School, (Accra), Wesley Girls SHS (Cape Coast), Opoku Ware SHS (Kumasi), Vakpo Adomi JSS (Vakpo), Danadi Complex School (Kasoa) and Ningo SHS (Ningo).
A fast-rising young musician, Blaq Originata, entertained the students with some of his compositions at the festival, organised by the Goethe-Institut, Ghana Association of Teachers` of German and the German Academic Exchange Service.
