Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana Marks Fifth Anniversary and Launches Alumni Association

His Excellency, Mr. Wang Shiting, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of China to Ghana

On May 30, 2018, the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana marked its 5th Anniversary in a festive event at the auditorium of its new building. The event also witnessed the launch and inauguration of the Alumni Association of the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana.

Dignitaries who graced the occasion with their presence were, Mr. Wang Shiting, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of China to Ghana, Mr. Jiang Zhouteng, the Political Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Ghana, Ms. Catherine Afeku, Minister of Culture, Arts and Tourism, Professor Samuel Agyei-Mensah, Provost of the College of Humanities, University of Ghana, Mr. Edward Boateng, Ghana’s Ambassador to the Republic of China, Mr. Godfred Amoo, Chairman of China-Ghana Friendship Association, Mr. Tang Hong, President of Ghana Overseas Chinese Association, Chairman of Ghana China Association of Industry and Commerce, and Mr. Zhou Senlin, Advisory Director of Ghana Association of Chinese Societies & Ghana Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Also present were other Chinese Business Association Leaders, teachers and students from various teaching sites, as well as the general public.

The Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana is a bridge of friendship between China and Ghana

At the event, His Excellency, Mr. Wang Shiting, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of China to Ghana, expressed his recognition and appreciation for the various achievements made by the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana over the past five years. He said that after five years of development, the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana has become a bridge between Ghana and China, sowing seeds of friendship between China and Ghana, and is becoming a hub for cultural exchanges between China and Ghana.

Ms. Catherine Afeku, Minister of Culture of Ghana, and Professor Samuel Agyei-Mensah, Provost of the School of Humanities at the University of Ghana, in their addresses agreed with the Chinese Ambassador. They stated that since the establishment of the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana, it has devoted itself to local Chinese language teaching, and continued to meet the needs of students of all ages, and at all levels in Ghana with respect to learning Chinese.

It has organized numerous and varied cultural events to strengthen language and cultural exchanges between the two countries. The Confucius institute has played a positive role.

Ms. Catherine Afeku, Minister of Culture of Ghana

Professor Samuel Agyei-Mensah, Provost of the College of Humanities

Mr. Tang Hong, a staunch supporter of the Confucius Institute, who represents the overseas Chinese in Ghana, in his speech at the ceremony, praised the achievements of the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana over the past five years. He commended the Confucius Institute’s China-Ghana exchange platform and stated that he would continue to support Confucius Institutes in various ways and create a beautiful tomorrow with Confucius Institutes.

Mr. Tang Hong, President of Ghana Overseas Chinese Association, Chairman of Ghana China Association of Industry and Commerce

The President of Zhejiang University of Technology (the Chinese partner university with the University of Ghana and the Confucius Institute) Prof. Li Xiaonian, also in a video, congratulated the Confucius Institute. Prof. Li Xiaonian acknowledged the achievements of the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana over the past five years. He was happy that the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana had trained many Chinese talents to help Ghanaian students realize their dream of Chinese language. “It has made significant contributions that have aided in deepening the cooperation between Zhejiang University of Technology and the University of Ghana and also enhanced China-Ghana friendship”, he added.

Launch and inauguration of Alumni Association of the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana

 The highlight of the celebration was the official launch and inauguration of the Alumni Association of the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana. Having been in existence for the past five years, many students have passed through the Institute. The Instituted has trained and supported numerous students, many of whom have won several Chinese language and Culture competitions and prizes which include scholarships for MA degrees in China. These alumni of the Institute have expressed the need for a vibrant Alumni Association and the celebration of the fifth anniversary offered the golden opportunity. An acceptance speech was delivered by the General Secretary on behalf of the President of the Association, Mr. Ignatius Suglo, who is currently completing his MA degree in China on a Confucius Institute Scholarship at the Beijing Language and Culture University. In his speech, the President pledged to work hard with the other executives to support the Institute and its students to enhance development. The other executives were, First Vice President, Asamoah Raymond who is pursuing a Master’s degree in China on Confucius Institute scholarship at Zhejiang Normal University, Second Vice President, Charles Delaly Adegah, also at Shandong University in China, pursuing a master’s degree, General Secretary, Benjamin Hayfron-Walker, of the Chinese Embassy in Accra and Deputy General Secretary, Paulina Fosu of Access Bank Ltd, Accra.

His Excellency, Mr. Wang Shiting, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of China to Ghana, performing the official launch of the Alumni Association of the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana. He was assisted by Ms. Catherine Afeku, Minister of Culture, Arts and Tourism of Ghana. Looking on are Prof. Samuel Agyei-Mensah, Provost of the College of Humanities, Mr. Jiang Zhouteng, the Political Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Ghana, Mr. Tang Hong, President of Ghana Overseas Chinese Association, Chairman of Ghana China Association of Industry and Commerce, Mr. Zhou Senlin, Advisory Director of Ghana Association of Chinese Societies & Ghana Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Chinese and Ghanaian Directors of the Confucius Institute, Dr. Meilian Mei and Dr. Josephine Dzahene-Quarshie

As the custom of the Confucius Institute is, the event was interspersed with great Chinese cultural performances by various categories of students of the Confucius Institute.

 

Please click here for the full report of the Anniversary Celebrations