(25th January, University of Ghana Basic Schools)
Respected Professor Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana,
Respected Mr. Alfred Codjoe-Allotey, Headmaster of the University of Ghana Basic Schools,
Respected Chinese and Ghanaian Directors of the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana,
Respected Representatives from the Chinese Enterprises in Ghana,
Ladies and Gentlemen, Faculty Members and Students,
Good morning! It’s a great pleasure to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year and embrace the blessing of Spring Festival with you all at the University of Ghana Basic Schools. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Ghana, I would like to wish all the Chinese and Ghanaian friends present today Good Luck and Make Fortune in the Year of Rooster.
Spring Festival is the most important traditional event in China. When it comes, Chinese nationals who work or study at different places will find every way to go back home, reunite with their parents and relatives to enjoy the happiness of a family reunion. Buying goods for the Spring Festival, watching the Spring Festival Gala, and walking around the neighborhood to send in New Year greetings, are the traditional Chinese customs. Of course, the most exciting part is the Red Envelope. This year, Chinese enterprises in Ghana will present a super Red Envelope to the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana to help them build up capacity. This is a great deed that will benefit the future generations. On behalf of the Embassy, I would like to thank the Chinese enterprises for their support to the development of Confucius Institute.
Last year, the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana made fresh gratifying achievements in teaching Chinese language and disseminating Chinese culture. Its scale grows steadily and its teaching quality improves continuously. At present, the total number of students is over 2,300. The slogan “Learn Chinese well, find friends all over the world” enjoys popular support throughout the country. More and more Ghanaian students have obtained through examination Confucius Institute scholarships for further study in China.
The Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana has gained wide recognition due to its excellent work. During the visit of H.E. Mr. Yu Zhengsheng, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, he watched the presentation of teaching results by the Chinese section and Confucius Institute of the University of Ghana. Chairman Yu gave full affirmation to the important contribution made by the Confucius Institute in promoting mutual understanding and exchanges between people of the two countries. It is a pleasant surprise that the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana won the honorary title of Global Model Confucius Institute after running for only two years.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all the faculty members of University of Ghana who have always been supporting the Confucius Institute. My special appreciation goes to the Chinese Director Dr. Mei Meilian, Chinese teachers and volunteers as your hard work has yielded fruitful results.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Faculty Members and Students,
In the dawn of the Year of Rooster, I am full of confidence and expectation that the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana, guided by the concepts of “innovation, cooperation, inclusiveness and sharing” which was brought up during the 11th Global Confucius Institute Conference last December, will continue to deepen the reform and innovation of teachers, teaching materials and teaching methods with reference to experiences of other international language and culture organizations so as to improve quality and cultivate high-end talents. I hope the Confucius Institute will keep promoting the outstanding Chinese culture, and assimilating the excellent Ghanaian cultural achievements to push for the localization of the institute, thus fitting the Confucius Institute into the role of inter-civilization envoy. As long as we roll up the sleeves and work harder, there will be more memorable achievements at this moment next year.
Once again, happy new year! Thank you!