Great Victory Academy in Bolgatanga has launched an exchange program with Apidon Royal College in Burkina Faso, aiming to enhance both French and English language proficiency while fostering cultural exchange.
This collaboration is particularly significant given Ghana’s geographical and linguistic context, as the country is surrounded by French-speaking nations.
Speaking on A1 Radio, Atongo James, the partnership coordinator at Great Victory Academy, emphasized the importance of French as a key language for students in the Bolgatanga area and across Ghana. He noted that the school has made French its primary second language to equip students with the skills needed to navigate a world where French is widely spoken, particularly in neighboring countries.
This strategic focus, he explained, is not only crucial for communication but also essential for trade, as many Ghanaian traders frequently engage with French-speaking nations.
“If you look at most of the basic schools in Bolgatanga, Great Victory Academy has decided to make French their main language,” he stated. “The reason for this is Ghana’s position, being surrounded by French-speaking countries. That makes it necessary for us to learn the language.”
“Sometimes, the biggest challenge traders face is communication. If you understand the language, it becomes easier to express yourself clearly, and people can appreciate what you are trying to say. So we cannot underestimate the importance of French at all. That’s why we need to promote it as much as possible, and we have chosen to make it our number one priority,” he added.
As part of the initiative, Great Victory Academy sends students to Burkina Faso for educational exchanges, enriching their learning experiences and deepening their cultural understanding. Mr. Atongo highlighted the dual benefits of this partnership: strengthening both French and English language skills while fostering stronger cultural ties between students from both institutions.
“The partnership has two main objectives: first, to promote French and English language learning, and second, to encourage cultural exchange,” he explained.
The headmaster of Apidon Royal College, Tiendre Biego Felix, also expressed excitement about the collaboration, welcoming the opportunity for students to exchange ideas, knowledge, and experiences. According to students who spoke on A1 Radio, the program encourages mutual growth and understanding, helping them appreciate diverse cultures and languages.
Support for the initiative also came from Ebo Bruce Quansah, the manager of A1 Radio, who praised the exchange program as a crucial step toward sustained international collaboration.
He suggested that partnerships like this could pave the way for further collaborations, including a potential partnership between A1 Radio and a station in Burkina Faso. As a gesture of goodwill, Mr. Quansah presented A1 Radio mugs to representatives from both Great Victory Academy and Apidon Royal College.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Gifty Eyram Kudiabor|Bolgatanga
