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Ghanaians advised to study foreign languages
Kumasi, Dec. 18, Ghanadot/GNA - Alhaji Ahmed Badawi,
Assistant Head of the Ghana Insttute of Languages in Kumasi,
on Thursday urged Ghanaians to study foreign languages for
effective communication with people from other countries.
He said this would promote development, cooperation and
business between Ghana other countries, particularly those
in Africa.
Alhaji Badawi gave the advice during the matriculation for
over five hundred fresh students and the swearing in of new
executives of Students Representative Council (SRC) of the
Institute.
He said many Ghanaians could not effectively interact with
nationals of French-speaking countries sharing boundaries
with Ghana, because they could not speak French.
Alhaji Badawi said some citizens of those countries were
fast becoming bilingual while Ghanaians were complacent with
their ability to speak only English.
He said “Our unwillingness to promote the learning of French
and other languages is impacting negatively on us in terms
of employment opportunities in international organizations
and in terms of the cost of doing international business as
we have resort to the use of translators and interpreters”.
Mr. Badawi, however, commended government for promoting the
teaching of French in educational institutions.
Sheikh Mohammed Armed Nazir, Head of the Arabic Department
of the Institute said, called on government to assist the
Institute with modern equipment since the existing ones have
become outmoded.
He also called for the refurbishment of the school’s library
to enhance teaching and learning.
Sheikh Nazir asked the students to be disciplined and take
the study of languages seriously.
He appealed to the students to exercise their franchise
peacefully during the presidential run-off on December 28.
The Institute that was established in 1962 has trained
students in English, French, German, Spanish, Arabic, among
others languages.
GNA
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