Ghana gets French Documentation and Information Centre

The Ministry of Education in collaboration with Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, on Friday, inaugurated the French Documentation and Information Centre under the theme: “Developing Competencies in French for Enhanced Regional Integration.”

The ‘French Corner’ aims at providing easy access to educative, informative and entertaining reading materials, audiovisuals and games in French.

Mr. Adjei Apenten, Acting Executive Director of the Ghana Library Authority (GLA), noted that the materials will foster self-education, teaching and learning in basic French and knowledge about the francophone world among the youth and children who are the main patrons of public libraries in Ghana.

He explained that the initiative had come to assist Ghanaians who wish to pursue their interest in French and the francophone world, but could not have access to information materials.

Mr. Alex Kyeremeh, Deputy Minister of Education (Pre-Tertiary), said Ghana joined the International Organisation of Francophonie (OIF) as an associate member in 2006.

He said it was in pursuit of Ghana’s fundamental foreign policy objectives of establishing cordial relations with countries and organisations, which share common goals.

He noted that the organisation through its various directorates co-operates with member-states in the fields of culture, science, economy, justice and peace.

He further explained that two of the missions of the organization include the promotion of French language, cultural and linguistic diversity and support to education, training and research.

“Recent developments indicate that there are a number of young Ghanaian readers who wish to learn French, discover and know more about the francophone world,” he stated.

The Deputy Minister noted that, unfortunately, these young readers cannot pursue their interest, due to the marked absence of French reading materials in libraries, and the country’s education system at large.

Mr. Kyeremeh said the joint project, to create the French Documentation and Information Centres in all the 10 regional libraries in the country is, therefore, a significant achievement of the co-operation between the Ministry of Education and the International Organisation of Francophone.

He said the Ministry will, therefore, not relent in its efforts to promote the study and use of the French language, both in and outside the education system.

Mr. Alexander Narh Tettey-Enyo, Former Minister of Education and chairman for the occasion, said Ghana is naturally bound by French countries; hence the study of the language would be of great advantage to the country.

He expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ministry of Education and its partners, for contributing towards the realization of the project.