Chinese learning centre for W/Africa established at UCC

A regional Centre for the training of local Chinese teachers in West Africa has been inaugurated at the Confucius Institute at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) in the Central Region. 

The establishment of the centre, which marks a significant milestone in language education and international collaboration, is aimed at strengthening linguistic and cultural ties between Ghana, the sub region and China.

The initiative is a collaboration between the UCC and China's Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC), a response to the increasing economic and diplomatic engagements between Ghana and China.

The ceremony was attended by key stakeholders in education, language development, diplomats and students.

Significance

The Central Regional Director of Education, Emmanuel Essuman, said the Chinese language had been added to the curriculum by GES as an elective subject at the secondary level.

Therefore, he said it was important to recruit and train teachers who would help students understand the Chinese language and culture.

Mr Essuman said the center was expected to enhance the capacity of local Chinese teachers, equip them with modern teaching techniques and resources to effectively deliver Chinese language instruction across Ghana and other West African countries.

“The world is evolving and language plays a crucial role in global integration," he said, adding that "Chinese in our secondary school curriculum will open more doors for students”.

The Pro Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Professor Denis Worlanyo Aheto, expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for the partnership.

“Language is a carrier of identity and history. As we embrace the Chinese language, we are also embracing a wealth of knowledge that will strengthen Ghana’s ties with China,” he added.

Deepening ties

The Deputy Director-General of the China Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC), Hu Zhiping, also said that the initiative reflected a growing recognition of the importance of China-Ghana relations in a rapidly globalising world.

He, therefore, encouraged students to embrace the chance to learn about Chinese culture and language to enrich their personal and professional lives.

The Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute, UCC, Professor OU Yamei, also said that the centre would create job opportunities for Ghanaians, particularly in areas such as translation, trade facilitation and diplomacy.

She said some of them could serve as intermediaries in the growing Ghana-China business and cultural relations.

Prof. Yamei said the department already had 15 centers of learning across the country, reinforcing its commitment to expanding Chinese language education in the country.

For his part, the Director of Confucius Institute, Ghana, Prof. Amo Ofori, said Ghana had been engaging in trade with China since independence, making the introduction of the Chinese language an essential step in enhancing the long-standing collaboration between the two countries.