Dignitaries at the event
The Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana has organized the first ever preliminary Chinese Bridge competition in Ghana as part of its first anniversary celebrations. The competition, a Chinese language and culture competition saw the participation of thirteen students from four universities namely; The University of Ghana, the University of Science and Technology, The University of Cape Coast and The Wisconsin International University College.
The "Chinese Bridge"Competition is a large-scale international contest sponsored by Confucius Institute Headquarters, and is well-known in the cultural and educational exchanges worldwide. It aims to arouse the enthusiasm of students in various countries in learning Chinese and to strengthen the world's understanding of Chinese language and culture.
The competition was made up of three parts; a speech on the theme “my Chinese dream”, a talent show and a quiz competition all in Chinese. The high profile panel of judges was made up of the Chinese Ambassador Extraordinary Plenipotentiary of China to Ghana, Her Excellency Madam Baohong Sun, Ghana’s Ambassador designate to China, His Excellency, Mr. Anani Demuyakor, the Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute, Dr. Meilian Mei, the Vice-Chairman of China Enterprises Chamber of Commerce in Ghana, Mr. Tao Ding and the Vice-Chairman of Chinese Community in Ghana Bo Xiao.
The panel of judges
The event was chaired by the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Dr. Cosmos Badasu who in his remarks recounted the brief history of Chinese studies at the University of Ghana.
The Head of the Department of Modern Languages, Dr. Josephine Dzahene-Quarshie, in her welcome address pointed out that though the youngest of the language sections of the Department of Modern Languages, Chinese is fast becoming the most popular Modern language next to French.
The Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute, Dr. Meilian Mei, in her address stated that the main objective of the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana is to support educational and cultural exchanges between China and Ghana by promoting the teaching and learning of the Chinese language and culture in Ghana.
Students of Chinese making a presentation
The Ambassador extraordinaire plenipotentiary of China to Ghana, Her Excellency Madam Baohong Sun, reiterated her support for the Confucius Institute and for the dissemination of Chinese language and culture in Ghana. She disclosed that currently, Ghana has the largest number of self-financed overseas students among African countries studying in China, and every year, China offers Ghana a large number of scholarships for advance studies. She said Ghanaian professionals trained in China rank third among African countries.
The interim provost of the College of Education Professor Cephas Omenyo recounted the support of the Chinese in the teaching and learning of Chinese language and culture and appealed for an even greater support from the Chines government in the coming years.
Ignatius Suglo, a level 400 University of Ghana student won the Special Prize for the overall best position in the Chinese Bridge Competition. He will represent the country in a worldwide ChineseBridge Competition later this year. In addition, he received a six month scholarship to study in China and a digital camera. The first runner up prize went to Cleide Selase Dodoo also of the University of Ghana. She was awarded a round trip to China to witness the finals of the 13th ChineseBridge Competition and presented a digital camera.
Ignatius Suglo receiving his award
The celebration was coloured with songs by students of University of Ghana, a traditional Chinese Lion Dance performance by the team from China State Hualong Construction Ghana Limited, playing of traditional Chinese musical instruments by Mr. Jianxiong Wuof, Wisconsin International University College, and tongue twisters by pupils of the French International School, East Legon.
Chinese Lion dance
