Stakeholders are calling on Ghana to prioritize French language education as a strategic tool for economic growth and human capacity development.
Despite sharing borders with three Francophone countries—Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, and Burkina Faso—Ghana’s French-speaking population remains relatively low. Advocates believe this limits the country’s regional trade potential and restricts opportunities for the youth within the largely Francophone West African sub-region.
Advocacy for French Language Promotion
Speaking ahead of the upcoming 2025 Super Wonderland French Fanfare and Games, Mildred Frimpong, CEO of Ghonline, a French language advocacy group, underscored the immense benefits of strengthening French education from the basic level.
According to her, early exposure to French will better position young people for employment and business opportunities within the sub-region. “Building French proficiency opens doors for Ghana’s youth to participate more fully in regional and continental trade,” she noted.
Frimpong identified a key challenge—many students perceive French as a difficult language, discouraging them from learning it. She emphasized the need to address this misconception and make French learning more engaging and practical.
She added that improved French proficiency could enhance Ghana’s trade and economic integration, boost its role in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and foster stronger cultural and diplomatic ties with neighboring countries.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Scheduled for October 25, 2025, the Super Wonderland French Fanfare and Games aims to ignite children’s interest in the French language through fun, interactive activities. The event will introduce young learners to effective learning techniques while highlighting the career and global advantages of bilingualism.
