The Director in charge of Confucius Institute at the University of Cape Coast, Professor Ishmael Mensah, has called on the government to consider adding the Chinese language to the Basic education curriculum to help pupils connect to the global economy.
According to him, the introduction of the Chinese language at the basic level will help the pupils build a strong foundation and make it easier for them to proceed at the University.
Professor Ishmael Mensah said the Chinese hold the second largest economy in the world and will, therefore, be appropriate for the government to add their language to Ghana’s Educational Curriculum to help boost trade and business between the two countries.
But Head of the Akan-Nzema Department of the College of Languages Education, Ajumako Campus, Dr Nana Anima Akenten has kicked against the call for the introduction of Chinese language in Ghanaian schools.
According to him, Ghana is still struggling with the introduction of local languages as a medium of teaching and introducing the Chinese language will worsen the situation.
He contends that Ghana should rather concentrate on teaching Ghanaian pupils their local languages after which another language can be added to it.
He said adding the Chinese language Ghana’s educational curriculum will build a healthy relationship with Chinese as well as bring more investors from China to Ghana as is currently the case.
Professor Ishmael Mensah made this statement during the inauguration of Chinese Learning Language Centre in Penuel International School at Kasoa.
However, an Economist and a Senior Researcher at the Institute of Fiscal Studies Dr Saeed Boakye said he supports the introduction of the Chinese language in Ghanaian schools.
He said China as a state has a lot of money and it will be to the government’s advantage to allow their language into our education.
It will be strategic for the government to give scholarships to students who want to pursue the Chinese language.