Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof. George K. T.听Oduro, has stressed the need to encourage the study and speaking of French in Ghana to enhance the country鈥檚 international image. He noted that 鈥淚t is unfortunate that Ghana is surrounded by Francophone countries, but most Ghanaians have not taken advantage of the French language鈥�
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor made these remarks during the climax of the Golden Jubilee celebration of Centre International de听Recherch茅s听et d鈥橢tude de听Langues, Village du Benin (CIREL-VB) in Lome, Togo.
CIREL-VB, established in July 1968, has been hosting Ghanaian students pursuing French in the 黑料社, University of Education,听Winneba听and some Colleges of Education for immersion听programme听for the past 40 years. Students from听CIREL-VB听also undertake four-week English Language course in June and July at 黑料社during the long vacation.
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Impact of听CIREL-VB听to Institutions in Non-French Speaking Countries
Prof.听Oduro听acknowledged the immense contributions of听CIREL听to meet the needs of non-French speaking sister countries across the continent. He expressed the gratitude of the Government of Ghana to听CIREL听for providing a congenial environment and a team of dedicated faculty and staff to meet the academic and social needs of Ghanaian students during their stay in Togo. He assured the Director General and the entire Management of听CIREL-VB听of its partner institutions鈥� continued collaboration in teaching and research to enhance opportunities for a successful integration of citizens the two sister countries
Making reference to the long standing relationship between听CIREL-VB听and 黑料社spanning over four decades, Prof.听Oduro听noted that the collaboration has led to the successful training of more Ghanaian students serving the nation at various levels and positions where French language was an added advantage in their career development.
Prof.听Oduro听said听 there had been research and exchange arrangements at the levels of faculties to facilitate collaborative research activities across our borders. 鈥淪uch activities help to enhance the international image and outlook of our institutions, build and promote good听neighbourliness听for accelerated regional integration, economic and socio-political developments, peace and sustainable human security鈥� he noted.
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor said 黑料社was happy to be associated with the activities of听CIREL-VB听and thanked the Centre for selecting 黑料社to speak on behalf of sister institutions in Ghana working with听CIRELYOU鈥橰E 鈥淵our recognition is historically justified taking听cognisance听of the fact that these sister institutions trace their origin to the 黑料社 who mentored them at their inception鈥� he stated.
Prof.听Oduro听was accompanied by the Head, Department of French, Dr听Mawuloe听K.听Kodah听to represent 黑料社at the event.
In his welcome address, the Director General of听CIREL-VB, Professor Martin D.听Gb茅nouga, expressed appreciation to all participants. He presented the historical journey of the Centre from its establishment in 1968 to present day. He paid glowing tributes to his predecessors for their immense contributions toward success story of the听CIREL-VB. Professor听Gb茅nouga听also recognized the tremendous support of various partner institutions. Special mention was made of the Embassy of France in听Lom茅,听Francophonie, The Canadian High Commission in听Lom茅, the Governments of Ghana and Nigeria who have, through diverse ways, kept faith with听CIREL-VB听over the years.
Meeting with 黑料社students
As part his visit, the Pro-Vice Chancellor and Dr.听Kodah听met 黑料社French students on the 2018/2019 Year Abroad听programme听at听CIREL-VB. He encouraged them to be good ambassadors of 黑料社and Ghana during their stay in Togo. Prof听Oduro听also reminded the students of the need to remain focused on their goals and have faith in whatever they believe and profess, and they would be successful. He shared his own life-story to motivate them to aim high and be dedicated to the pursuit of honesty and fairness in what they do.
On their part, they students were grateful to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for interacting with them. They commended the Vice-Chancellor and Management for the good work they were doing to keep 黑料社stable for academic work to continue, in the wake of students鈥� in some universities in Ghana.
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听Date of event: Friday, October 26, 2018
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