Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey says the decision to obtain French as a second language is a major concern of the Government of Ghana, in line with national priorities.

She reiterated plans by government to include the promotion of the learning of French in basic schools and across all other levels of learning, as part of a general reform of Ghana’s education sector.

The Hon. Foreign Minister however, regretted the inadequate number of French teachers in the country and limited learning and teaching materials, encouraging more participation and support in this area.

Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey was addressing the opening session of the 2019 La Francophonie week in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, themed “Say it in French...please”.

Ghana signed the Linguistic Pact with La Francophonie for improved technical support and capacity building for the teaching and learning of French in 2018.

A move, according to Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, marked the start of a historical process, aimed at improving regional integration through the development of the French language across the country.

“We believe that the extensive teaching and learning of French will inure to the benefit of Ghana as we are bordered by three Francophone countries; namely, Togo, Burkina Faso and La Cote d’Ivoire”, the Hon. Foreign Minister stressed.

She intimated that prioritizing the French language in Ghana has become even more necessary now so as to further enhance relations for better cooperation at all levels with the country’s Francophone partners.