Ghana attached to the acquisition of French as a second language – Minister of Foreign Affairs

General News of Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

2019-03-20

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey says that the decision to obtain French as a second language is a major concern of the Government of Ghana, in accordance with national priorities.

She reiterated the government's plans to include promotion of French learning in elementary schools and all other levels of learning, as part of a comprehensive reform of the education sector in Ghana.

The deputy. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, however, regretted the insufficient number of French teachers in the country and the material of learning and limited education, which encouraged more participation and support in this area.

Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey spoke at the opening session of the Francophonie Week 2019 in Accra, capital of Ghana, on the theme "Say it in French … please" .

Ghana has signed the language pact with La Francophonie for improved technical support and capacity building in the teaching and learning of French in 2018.

According to Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, this initiative marked the beginning of a historic process to improve regional integration through the development of the French language throughout the country.

"We believe that the teaching and deep learning of French will benefit Ghana because we are bordered by three French-speaking countries; namely Togo, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast, "Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs pointed out.

She suggested that giving priority to the French language in Ghana had become even more necessary now to strengthen relations for better cooperation at all levels with the country's French-speaking partners.

The Ghanaian Foreign Minister said that the government's strong participation in this year's Francophonie week celebrations also confirms President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's desire to become a full member of La Francophonie since its membership in 2006.

She recalled the bold commitment of President Akufo-Addo at the last Francophonie Summit, held in Yerevan, Armenia in October 2018.

"To this end, the President has appointed Dr. Stephen Adawen Syme, Senior Member of the Presidential Staff and French Researcher, as a resource person for the coordination of Francophonie activities in Ghana to ensure a smooth transition. ", The hon. Ayorkor Botchwey said at the meeting.

The objectives of the Francophonie include the promotion of peace and good governance, support for education, training and research, as well as the promotion of the French language and cultural diversity, the values ​​that the # 39; Hon. The Minister of Foreign Affairs is convinced that Ghana is also involved.

L & # 39; Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey expressed the hope that the Ambbadadors of the Conseil de la Francophonie would continue to support their contributions to the development of the French language and La Francophonie in Ghana.

The annual La Francophonie event, which will take place over eight days, brought together representatives of Francophone embbadies in Ghana and other stakeholders.

Ghana's Minister of Education, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, was present.