The Regional Training Center for Local Chinese Teachers in West Africa has held a maiden Chinese language training program in Ghana for approximately 50 local Chinese teachers.
The four-day training program held at UCC drew its participants mainly from the three Confucius Institutes in Ghana: the University of Cape Coast, the University of Ghana, and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
In his welcome address at the opening ceremony on Friday, June 27, Professor Emmanuel Amo Ofori, Ghana Director of the Confucius Institute at UCC, described the programme as a vital first step in empowering those at the forefront of promoting the Chinese language in Ghana.
He noted that the regional centre values teachers as its greatest asset, emphasizing that their passion, skills, and daily engagement with students play a key role in shaping perceptions of China, its language, and culture.
“This training programme has been meticulously designed with you in mind,” he said. “Proficiency in Chinese opens doors to academic exchanges, international business partnerships, cultural understanding, and diverse career paths for our youths.”
He indicated that by investing professional development through a programme as this, invests directly in the future prospects of countless Ghanaian students and strengthening the friendship and cooperation between Ghana and China.
Professor Amo Ofori also highlighted the shortage of Chinese language teachers and emphasized that the programme is timely and essential for boosting teacher numbers to meet growing demand within the sub-region.
“So that is our main aim, we want to boost their capacity, build their capacity so that when they start to teach our students, they’ll be able to impact them very well,” he added.
Ghana Director of the Confucius Institute emphasized the Regional Training Centre’s commitment to ongoing professional development, access to resources, and a supportive learning community.
He noted that the training is more than a one-time event, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding quality Chinese language education across Ghana.
He also commended the participants for their dedication and active participation in the programme.
Dr. Juliet Dufie Otami, the Central Regional Director of Education, praised the initiative particularly for motivating students to study international languages in addition to English.
She highlighted China’s growing global presence in trade and education, stressing that learning the Chinese language is becoming increasingly important for Ghanaians to take full advantage of the opportunities it presents.
“This programmes aligns well with the Ghana Education Service’s (GES) objectives, particularly its focus on promoting global citizenship. In today’s interconnected world, one cannot remain isolated and still expect to engage globally,” he continued.
“Collaborating with China especially through language is significant, as language is central to culture and effective communication. China’s growing influence in global trade and education underscores the importance of such partnerships.”
Dr. Dufie Otami disclosed that the government has already taken steps in this direction through the introduction of the new curriculum, which encourages every child to learn at least one international language as part of promoting global citizenship.
The aim is to ensure children are not confined to only the English language, as language influences both thought and identity.
Dr. Otami noted that the establishment of this institute, in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service, is a step in the right direction, adding that many schools in the region already have language laboratories established through similar partnerships.
“For example, Aburaman Senior High School has partnered to establish lab. They have made it a club. Now we are advocating that every school that has that could set up a lab and then it becomes part of the curriculum.”
READ ALSO: UCC Elects New SRC Executives
Source: Eric Sekyi/ATLFMNEWS
