Ms.Brigitte Dzogbenuku, Guest Speaker
The Departments of Modern Languages and French have recently launched their 50th and 64th anniversary celebrations, respectively, at the Great Hall of the University of Ghana. The theme for the celebrations is, “Modern Languages in Focus; Developing Professionals for Global Integration”.
Ms. Brigitte Dzogbenuku, an alumna of the Department and Founder and Executive Director of Mentoring Women Ghana was the Guest Speaker at the ceremony. , She congratulated the Department for churning out numerous bilingual and multilingual professionals.
Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, Vice-Chancellor
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey acknowledged the efforts of pioneers of the Departments in transforming the two Departments over the years. He noted that, the learning of other languages opens avenues for a true and deeper understanding of people, promotes tolerance of diverse cultures and civilizations and ultimately leads to peaceful co- existence and human development.
Prof. Ernest Aryeetey indicated that, under the University’s Collegiate System which will begin in the 2014/15 academic year, the two Departments will fall under the new School of Languages within the College of Humanities. He reiterated the importance of the collegiate system, which will ensure that administrative power is decentralised to give them an opportunity to flourish without bureaucratic impediments. The Vice-Chancellor pledged an amount of GH¢50, 000 to the two departments on the occasion of their anniversaries.
Prof. Samuel Agyei- Mensah, Interim Provost of College of Humanities
The Interim Provost of the College of Humanities, Prof. Samuel Agyei- Mensah commended the two departments for bridging the language gap. He said that, since independence, the expanding global trade and diplomatic relations between Ghana and the nations of the world have emphasised the need for the teaching and learning of foreign languages. Prof. Agyei- Mensah mentioned that the introduction of the study of the Chinese Language in the Department of Modern Languages has heightened the interest of many more students, thus increasing quite significantly student’s enrolment in the Department.
Dr. Cosmos Badasu, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Arts
The Acting Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Dr. Cosmos Badasu, congratulated members of the two Departments on their anniversaries. He noted that the two Departments have contributed to the realization of the mission of the University of Ghana by producing diplomats, interpreters, translators and language teachers for the secondary and tertiary levels. He said that apart from French, students who are admitted into the Department of Modern languages have no previous knowledge of those languages, adding that it was a source of pride and achievement that by the end of
their study periods, these students become proficient in those languages.
Dr. Vladmir Antwi- Danso, Chairman for the occassion
The launch was chaired by a Senior Research Fellow at the Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy (LECIAD), Dr. Vladmir Antwi- Danso. He noted that he is proud to part of the growth that the Departments have undergone and expressed the believe that the Department will continue to contribute to the development of the university.
Dr. Josephine Dzahene Quarshie, Head of the Department of Modern languages
Speaking at the function, the Head of the Department of Modern languages, Dr. Josephine Dzahene Quarshie, disclosed that, the Departments have been a hub of meetings and encounters with people of various nationalities, which has created partnerships for students, and faculty. She said that, over the years, student enrolment numbers have increased, while there has been the introduction of new programmes and an increase in the human resource base of the Departments. Dr. Dzahene Quarshie acknowledged the diverse roles played by the mother countries of the languages they offer.
Dr. Robert Yennah, Head of the Department of French
The Head of the Department of French, Dr. Robert Yennah, gave a brief history of the Department. He noted that though the Department was separated from the Modern Languages section in 2011 they continue to share facilities. He expressed the hope that through the anniversary celebrations, the University community and the general public will appreciate the role of the Departments of Modern Languages and French as tools for accessing knowledge, acquiring skills and appreciating other cultures.
There were colourful dance performances and poetry recitals by some students of the two departments in the various languages they study.
A cross-section of students at the launch
Guests and Faculty members at the launch
Students performing at the Launch
