Some of the officers displ aying their certi ficates after the course
Some officers of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), particularly those stationed at the country’s major entry points, have undergone Chinese language training at the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana.
The officers with their new language proficiency of Mandarin – the language widely spoken by the people of China – are expected to better communicate with the growing number of Chinese visitors to the country.
There were 70 immigration officers enrolled for the basic course for eight weeks, and 38 made it to the advanced stage.
The course was sponsored by the Chinese Embassy in collaboration with the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana.
Director of the institute, Dr. Josephine Dzahene-Quarshie, encouraged the immigration officers saying “practise the Chinese language whenever you get the chance so that you can improve on your proficiency”.
She noted that although they had spoken nicely – apparently referring to a mini-drama performed by the officers during a short ceremony – they were likely to lose their proficiency if they did not continue speaking.
“It is my hope that you will not rest but strive to maintain and build on the level of proficiency you have acquired in the Chinese language through independent study and more importantly by using the language at every given opportunity,” she added.
Supt. Ankomah Gyasi, who emerged the overall best student, told local radio station Joy News that “Chinese are one of the dominant nationals we have in our country currently so it is important for us to understand them when they come.”
He added that learning the language would give the officers the opportunity to communicate directly with the Chinese, especially on issues bordering on national security.
“We will not call on other people because some of the things we discuss border on national security; it is prudent for us to be able to decode whatever they tell us,” he stressed.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri