The Confucius Institute (CI) at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has used the 2024 Chinese Language Day to promote girl-child education to enable girls to demonstrate their knowledge of the Chinese language and culture.
Celebrated on April 20 each year, the United Nations Chinese Language Day, also known as the International Chinese Language Day, commemorates the originator of the Chinese language, Cang Jie's contribution to character formation.
Held at the Holy Child School in Cape Coast, this year’s Chinese Language Day was marked on the theme, "Building a Bridge of Mutual Learning among civilisations through Girl-Child Empowerment."
Speaking at the event, the China Director of the CI-UCC, Prof. Ou Yamei, said the mission of CI-UCC was to promote educational and cultural exchanges between China and Ghana through Chinese language education and culture programmes.
She said women's education could promote economic development through participation in the formal labour force and reduction in poverty.
"As a woman and an advocate, I am delighted that the 15th UN International Chinese Language Day focuses on girl-child education and empowerment," she added.
According to her, the Institute believes in creating opportunities for the girl child to achieve their dreams by embracing Chinese Language Education.
Prof Yamei indicated that there were several opportunities for girls to develop their talents by performing Chinese songs, Chinese dances and martial arts.
The China Director announced that the Centre would adopt the Holy Child School to offer Chinese language.
The Central Regional Minister, Mrs. Justina Marigold Assan, in her address, commended the Confucius Institute for facilitating cultural ties between Ghana and China.
The Central Regional Minister, Mrs. Justina Marigold Assan delivering her address
She indicated that the Institute had given varied opportunities to Ghanaians and expressed the need for Ghanaian students to take the Chinese language seriously.
Mrs. Assan said as the relationship between Ghanaian society and Chinese society grows, it is important to gain knowledge about each other's culture and traditions as these strengthen the relationship and increase mutual understanding and tolerance.
She urged the Confucius Institute to continue to work hard to help more Ghanaian students, especially senior high school students, to learn Chinese and to obtain scholarships to study in China.
The Central Regional Director of Education, Mr. Emmanuel Essuman, expressed satisfaction at the level of development of Chinese culture in Ghana.
He said the Confucius Institute has made giant strides to meet the academic needs of all persons with various Chinese Language and culture needs. As a result, he said the Service would work assiduously with the Institute to promote the Chinese language in high schools.
Mr Essuman passionately appealed to the Association of Chinese Societies to assist the Service in the region in renovating its building.
A section of students of Holy Child School at the event
The President of the Ghana Association of Chinese Societies, Mr Tang Hong, said the Confucius Institute has made remarkable achievements in teaching the Chinese language and promoting Chinese culture.
He said the Chinese culture plays an important role in promoting mutual understanding and exchanges between Ghana and China and therefore expressed gratitude to the management of UCC for supporting the development of the Chinese language and culture at the University of Cape Coast.
The Headmistress of Holy Child School, Mrs Linda Appiah, in a remark, said Chinese culture would give students an advantage in their education and careers in years to come.
The colourful ceremony was interspersed with performances such as Chinese dance, opera and songs by Ghanaian students studying Chinese.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC