The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey says the decision to obtain French as a second language is a major concern of the government in line with national priorities.
She
reiterated plans by government to include the promotion of the learning of French in basic schools and across all other levels
of learning, as part of a general reform of the country’s education sector.
The
Foreign Minister however, regretted the inadequate number of French teachers in the country and limited learning and teaching
materials, encouraging more participation and support in this area.
She
was addressing the opening session of the 2019 La Francophonie week in Accra,
themed “Say it in French…please”.
Ghana signed the Linguistic Pact with La Francophonie for improved
technical support and capacity building for the teaching and learning of French
in 2018.
The move, according to Madam Botchwey, marked the start of a historical
process, aimed at improving regional
integration through the development of the French language across the country.
“We
believe that the extensive teaching and learning of French will inure to the
benefit of Ghana as we are bordered by three Francophone countries; namely,
Togo, Burkina Faso and La Cote d’Ivoire”, she stressed.
She
intimated that prioritising the French language in Ghana has become even more
necessary now so as to further enhance relations for better cooperation at all
levels with the country’s Francophone partners.
The
Foreign Minister opined that government’s strong participation in this year’s Francophonie
week celebrations also lends credence to the continued desire of President Nana
Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for Ghana to become a full member of La Francophonie,
since becoming an Associate Member in 2006.
She
recalled President Akufo-Addo’s bold commitment at the last Summit of the La
Francophonie held in Erevan, Armenia, in October 2018 to the organsation.
“To
that end, the President has appointed a Senior Presidential Staffer and French
scholar, Dr Stephen Adawen Syme, as the
Focal Person for the coordination of La Francophonie activities in Ghana to
ensure a seamless transition”, Madam Botchwey told
the gathering.
The objectives of La Francophonie include the promotion of
peace and good governance, support for education, training and research, and
promotion of the French language, cultural diversity and are equally espoused
by Ghana.
The
Minister was confident of the continued support by the Council of La
Francophonie Ambassadors for their contribution towards the development of the
French language and La Francophonie in Ghana.
The annual La Francophonie event, which will be held
over a period of eight days, brought together representatives of the
Francophone Embassies in Ghana and other stakeholders.
Ghana’s
Minister of Education, Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh, was in attendance.
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