We will make French a compulsory language in SHSs – Akufo-Addo

The President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has disclosed his readiness to make the study of French language in Senior High Schools (SHSs) compulsory for all students.

Speaking during his official visit to Togo, the President wondered why majority of Ghanaians are unable to communicate fluently in the French language when Ghana is surrounded by three francophone countries.

“(I’m) strongly for making French a compulsory language in our schools right up to the end of Senior High School. I’m fortified in taking this decision because as far back as 10 years ago when I left Ghana into la Francophone, I did so in Bucharest. The decision was that the Francophone organization will help us with the teachers of French in the schools because at the end of the day, everything you did in the education always comes back to the teachers,” he stated.

The President bemoaned that majority of Ghanaians speak the English language but are unable to speak French saying Ghanaians need to be empowered to survive in the ECOWAS environment.

“Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the minister for education, has it as a major priority on his agenda so I think that between now and hopefully the next academic year, some positive development is going to come out of it because to me it is absolutely essential that we do so, so that we empower our population with the capacity to survive in this ECOWAS environment. People speak English, but we don’t speak French. It is not good; and I think that we have to go about it that way,” he indicated.

The French language is already compulsory for pupils in basic schools.