Ghanaians challenged to learn Chinese culture to boost economy

The Chinese government has rated Ghana’s business environment highly, despite the current challenges associated with doing business in the country.

China is not only investing in Ghana economically, but also contributing socially to its growth. As part of efforts to further foster the relationship between the two countries, the Chinese government has instituted a Confucius Center at the University of Ghana to promote Chinese culture.

According to the China ambassador to Ghana, Sun Baohong, the Centre plays an important role in spreading Chinese language and culture, reducing cultural conflicts, promoting mutual understanding and sustainable development between Ghana and China.

The ambassador indicated to Starr News that so far some selected students have benefited from the project since it was set up in 2013.

“The Confucius Institute so far has engaged in two major tasks, first is the promotion of Chinese language teaching and second is the promotion of Chinese culture to the Ghanaian people. And they provide many free classes or very minimum tuition for students of all walks of life to have basic understanding of the Chinese language and Chinese culture,” the ambassador said at the 2016 global Confucius institute day celebration at the University of Ghana.

She also explained that China’s interest to invest in Ghana is as a result of the enabling environment which has been created.

“Ghana has its own advantage of attracting foreign investors, this is a country with rich resources, natural resources and also human resources and it’s quite well located in the region and the most important thing is, the country is peaceful and stable, so I think that is the reason why not only Chinese nationals but also other nationals of other countries come and invest.”

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu expressed great interest in the Ghana-China partnership. He vowed the University will support the work of the Confucius Institute to promote the cultural communication between the two countries.

According to him, the institute offers “opportunity to Ghanaians and go a long way to promote Ghana-China relationship in all perspective. A relationship that has been, continue to grow socially, economically and politically.”

“Currently, China’s business investments in Ghana surpasses all other foreign investors,” he added.