NaCCA Launches Chinese Language Curriculum for Basic, Junior High and Senior High Schools.

NaCCA Launches Chinese Language Curriculum for Basic, Junior High and Senior High Schools.

Ghana has officially launched a Chinese language curriculum for basic, junior high, and senior high schools, marking a significant milestone in the country's language education landscape. 

This initiative aims to equip learners with practical language skills, cultural awareness, and global readiness, preparing them for an increasingly interconnected global economy.

The curriculum, developed in collaboration with the Confucius Institute at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), is competency-based, focusing on communicative proficiency and functional literacy. It's benchmarked against the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) standards and aligned with Ghana's Common Core Programme.

The launch is expected to enhance Ghana-China relations, foster economic growth, and provide opportunities for Ghanaian students to engage with the global economy. The Confucius Institute at UCC has already trained thousands of students in Chinese language and culture, facilitated student and scholar exchanges, and organized cultural festivals.

The Director-General of NaCCA, Prof. Samuel Ofori Bekoe, described the occasion as a watershed moment in Ghana's education history and international relations. He said the event went beyond celebration, noting that it was about operationalising a vision to prepare Ghanaian learners for competitiveness in the modern global economy.

Prof. Vincent Assanful explained that literacy in the 21st century had expanded beyond proficiency in one’s mother tongue and English, stressing that Ghanaian learners should now acquire cultural intelligence and multilingual competencies to thrive globally.

NaCCA's role extended beyond regulation to strategic partnership in positioning Ghana's future workforce within the global economic space. He said NaCCA's mandate to develop relevant, standards-based and forward-looking curricula informed its decision to formalise the teaching of the Chinese language within Ghana's basic education system.

The Central Regional Director of Education, Dr. Juliet Dufie Otamie, highlighted the role of education and culture in strengthening Ghana-China relations. She noted that education remained a powerful tool for opening doors and creating opportunities for young people.

The Ghana Director of the Confucius Institute, Prof. Emmanuel Amo Ofori, traced the institute's journey from its conceptual beginnings in 2008 to its approval by Hanban in December 2015 and its official launch in June 2016.

The acting Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Dennis Worlanyo Aheto, described the celebration as a moment of pride, joy, and reflection on a decade of growth, partnership, and economic opportunity fostered through the Confucius Institute.

A panel discussion led by Prof Kwabena Sarfo Sarfo-Kantankah on training teachers to teach the Chinese language in Ghana featured contributions from academics.

Citations were presented to the Acting Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Dennis Worlanyo Aheto, and former Vice-Chancellors for their visionary leadership. A special citation was also awarded to Prof. Kwadwo Opoku Agyemang, the first Director of the Confucius Institute at UCC.

Mafaatih Wunnam Alidu Cotachi was recognized as the African champion for the global competition for primary students. Kweku Henaku Otsin and Michelle Yeboah Nyamah were also honoured for their performance in the national competition.