Feature: Ghanaian students broaden knowledge through Chinese learning

Students at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) have embraced the establishment of the second Confucius Institute in Cape Coast, the country's capital before independence, saying learning Chinese language with the institute broadens their knowledge.

The Confucius Institute at the UCC was initiated in partnership with the Hunan City University to promote Chinese language teaching and culture in Ghana.

James Annan, a final-year student at the UCC, has expressed delight in learning the Chinese language as a selective subject and hopes to become an ambassador to spread the language to people in the region.

"After I complete my Bachelor degree, I will come and register as a new student so that I can take the full Chinese course because of the focus that I have in the Chinese language," said Annan, who had attended the institute's inaugural ceremony two weeks ago.

Until the Institute was established, students at the university studied the Chinese language as a selective course to broaden their general knowledge and experience. Now, new students have been admitted to undertake a Bachelor of Arts course in Chinese with a full four-year course starting in the new academic year in August.

Another student, Calvin Osei Tenkorang, believes China is becoming a world power and being able to communicate with someone with the language would present opportunities to graduates in the future.

"We can serve as a bridge between China and Ghana as the Chinese ambassador once said and I like communicating with others," Tenkorang told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Godwin Yaw Deegbe, who initially did not like the idea of studying Chinese, said he got hooked after his first lecture and immediately developed the passion to continue with it.

"Right now, it is just part of me and I really enjoy the Chinese language," he told Xinhua.

UCC Vice Chancellor, Professor Domwini Dabire Kuupole, said at the institute's inauguration that the Confucius Institute at the University of Cape Coast was a positive addition to their stock and an enriching overture in a congenial dialogue among cultures. Endit