Ghana is leveling up its classrooms by officially launching a Chinese language curriculum across basic, junior high and senior high schools 🌍📖. Developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA), this program aims to equip students with practical skills for trade, diplomacy, technology and international cooperation with the Chinese mainland.
Language as policy
There have been a lot of companies from the Chinese mainland springing up in Ghana across many sectors, including health, security, infrastructure and others. It has become imperative to prepare learners who can support these companies and also engage effectively at the international level.
— Reginald Quartey, Acting Director for Curriculum at NaCCA
With the influence of the Chinese mainland coming up very fast, it is very necessary that we introduce the Chinese language for our learners to cope with current trends in our relationship with the Chinese mainland.
— Quartey
Adapting Chinese to Ghana’s classrooms
Ghana runs a 6-3-3-4 system modeled on the British framework. Rather than copy-pasting a foreign syllabus, NaCCA customized the curriculum to fit Ghana’s Common Core Program. Quartey explains that the curriculum synchronizes Ghanaian and Chinese cultures to enhance learning.
That means focusing on shared values like hard work, integrity and resilience 💪—qualities that benefit learners in any context.
A gradual rollout
Not every school will teach Chinese overnight. The launch is phased, starting with institutions that already have trained teachers and the right facilities. Teacher training is supported by Confucius Institutes, especially at the University of Cape Coast, which has certified both Ghanaian and Chinese mainland instructors.
Looking ahead, NaCCA is integrating Chinese training into colleges of education to build a steady pipeline of teachers. It is not a one-day job—some schools still lack teachers even for long-taught languages. But the most important thing is that the process has started.
Early wins & continental trend
Feedback is promising. At the 10th anniversary of the Confucius Institute at the University of Cape Coast, students impressed parents, policymakers and business leaders with their Chinese skills. Some are already interpreting for companies from the Chinese mainland in Ghana.
Ghana’s move mirrors a broader trend in Africa. Countries like Nigeria have also begun weaving Chinese into their national education frameworks. Scholarships and university partnerships with the Chinese mainland are helping students pursue engineering, medicine, technology and more 🎓.
Building for the future
Under the FOCAC Beijing Action Plan (2025–2027), Ghana is seeking deeper cooperation with the Chinese mainland in student exchanges, research collaboration and skills development. For NaCCA, Chinese language education is more than words—it is a multiplier that boosts every sector and prepares students to compete globally 🌐.
Learning Chinese is not just about the language. It enhances everything we do and prepares students to engage competitively at the global level.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
