Spanish Ambassador Visits the Centre for Latin American Studies and the Spanish Section of the Department of Languages

(From left to right: Excellency Alicia Rico, Spanish Ambassador and Dr. Joanna Boampong, Acting Director for the Centre for Latin American Studies)

The Spanish Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency Alicia Rico Pérez has paid a courtesy call on the Acting Director for the Centre for Latin American Studies, Dr. Joanna Boampong, Coordinator for Spanish, Dr. Maimouna Sankhé and Prof. Justo Bolekia Boleká, visiting Professor from University of Salamanca and renowned writer from Equatorial Guinea.

Her Excellency Alicia Rico Pérez received a warm welcome on arrival and appreciated for the interest she had shown in both faculty and students and her dedication to support their work and activities since her arrival to Ghana.  

Dr. Boampong apprised the Ambassador of the establishment of the Centre, which she said is meant to be a hub for Latin American Studies in the sub-region.  She explained that among the Centre’s key mandate include: designing, carrying out and disseminating interdisciplinary research, offering courses, undertaking outreach activities, and advancing intercultural interactions between Latin America and Ghana (and by extension Africa as a whole).

Dr. Sankhé briefed the Ambassador on courses on offer, student enrolment, activities of the Spanish Club and the high level of students’ interest to undertake immersion courses, and further their education in Spain. She underscored the popularity of Spanish among students as evidenced by high retention rates. She noted that student enrolment could increase if Spanish were introduced to Ghanaian students much earlier than at the tertiary level.

The Ambassador expressed her delight at the level of interest Hispanic Studies enjoys at the University of Ghana.  She said she was ready to work with all persons involved to promote Hispanic Studies across the country. To this end, and given the common historical and cultural ties they share, she found it expedient to collaborate with both the Spanish Section and the Centre for Latin American Studies.

Recognizing the premium the University of Ghana places on research, Her Excellency Alicia Rico further indicated her interest in working with both the Centre for Latin American Studies and the Spanish Section to, among other things, organize an international academic meeting that will bring together Hispanics from Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

Professor Justo Bolekia Boleká, applauded the Ambassador for taking time to interact with people actively engaged in the promotion of Hispanic Studies in the country. He endorsed the idea of a tri-continental academic meeting and promised to support it. 

(From left to right: Dr. Maimouna Sankhé, Coordinator for Spanish and Prof. Justo Bolekia Boleká, visiting Professor from University of Salamanca