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THE CENTRE FOR LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES HOSTS INTERNATIONAL DAY OF WORDS

 

Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Former Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts

The Centre for Latin American Studies in collaboration with renowned writer and poet, Celestine Nudanu, has commemorated the International Day of Words, the first of its kind in Ghana. The event, themed “An Evening of Words”, took place at Casa Hispánica, V.A.O. Lamptey Conference Hall on Friday, November 23, 2018. Participants came from various units of the University of Ghana main campus, the Ministries, College of Health Sciences (CHS), University of Professional Studies (UPS), Ghana Institute of Languages (GIL) and Ghana International School (GIS), among others.

The welcome address by the Director of the Centre for Latin American Studies, Dr. Joanna Boampong, underscored the importance of words to human existence. She noted the power of words to bring about good as well as bad and stressed that the focus of the event was to celebrate the positive power of words and the ability of words to bring about goodness for mankind.  She expressed the desire that the diverse manifestations of words and in just a sampling of the languages available in Ghana would provide a good indication of the life-giving force of words.

Madam Celestine Nudanu, charged with the role of Ambassador of words gave more insight on the aim of the celebration. According to her November 23 was selected by the César Egido Serrano Foundation of Spain as the International Day of Words in recognition of the establishment of the Museum of Words and also to unite people of all cultures to use words as a binding tool with the aim of spreading peace in the world.

 



From l to r: Writers—Mrs. Empi Darko, Mrs. Celestine Nudanu, Mrs. Vera Doku-Aumiah and the Director for the Centre for Latin American Studies Dr. Joanna Boampong

Chairperson for the event, Former Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie used the opportunity to advocate the use of local languages and also educate the audience on aggressive alcoholism and drug abuse.  She charged all present to be each other’s keeper.

The International Day of Words saw the expression of words in diverse forms: poetry recitals, book readings, song performances, musical interludes, as well as poetry and dance performances. Performances were given by members of the Spanish, Russian, Swahili and French clubs of the School of Modern Languages, Madam Celestine Nudanu, Madam Vera Doku-Akumiah (Head of Literature, Ghana Institute of Languages), Madam Empi Darko (Writer and Assistant Registrar, UG), Mr. Oswald Okaitei (Poet) and Mr. Emperor Leander David (Poet), to name a few.

In her closing remarks, the Chairperson elaborated on the power that words hold. According to her words can build and can destroy. She called all present to show a little love and respect for one another since no one can be held accountable for their place of origin. Furthermore, she charged the audience to live an exemplary life and to cultivate a change of attitude towards the positive because “the red, gold and green are all ours”.

 

 

A cross-section of participants