As the economic cooperation between China and Ghana continues, more Ghanaian students in remote areas are poised for their future with a grounding in the Chinese language. Ghanaian students at Confucius Institute at the University of Cape Coast immerse themselves in learning the language and about Chinese culture, from lion dancing to crosstalk.
Charles Delali Adegah, in his mid-thirties, who has studied Chinese at the master's level and teaches at the Confucius Institute, says he found joy and better prospects by learning the language.
"Because I studied Chinese, I got the chance to study in China totally for free. When I finished my first degree, I spent a year abroad, and when I returned, I was hired as a translator by a variety of companies," he says, adding that, after completing his master's degree, he got the offer to teach at the Confucius Institute at the University of Cape Coast.
The teacher recounts how he struggled through his elementary and secondary education because of financial challenges and urged Ghanaian students in tertiary institutions to take the opportunity to study Chinese.
"We all know that many companies in Ghana are Chinese-oriented, and, with a background in Chinese, it is easy to enter these companies. So, I will say, if you get the chance to study Chinese, you have to seize the opportunity and learn it well," Adegah adds.
"When I first started learning the language, it was difficult, but as I progressed, I realized that there are a number of companies here in Ghana that would like to employ Ghanaians who speak Chinese," says Belinda Koomson, a student at the University of Cape Coast, who's in her early twenties and has been studying Chinese for the past three years to an intermediate level.
The student emphasizes that the bridge between China and Ghana has been built, making it necessary for Ghanaians to learn Chinese.
"The Chinese have come to learn our language, so it's also best for us to learn their language in order to communicate with them so that we can work in harmony," says Koomson.
Tang Hong, president of the Ghana Association of Chinese Societies and the Ghana-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, urges Ghanaian students to study Chinese because of the many doors that it opens to people.
"The Chinese language is very deep and beautiful. If you know it, you can talk to a huge percentage of the world's population," says Tang.
According to Ou Yamei, Chinese director of the institute, it has rolled out a variety of courses, including Chinese martial arts, singing, dancing, handicrafts and calligraphy.
Established in 2016, according to Ou, the Confucius Institute at the university has seen many locals make a difference in their lives after studying Chinese.
"We will strive to improve our teaching and provide high-quality lessons to our students to cater to their increasing needs," says Ou.
Xinhua
