Prof. Ildiko Csajbok-Twerefou, Head, and Department of Modern languages, University of Ghana, Legon expressed the commitment of the institution to continue to teach Kiswahili language when H. E. Benson Alfred Bana, High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania to Nigeria, visited the University on 8th February 2022.
Prof. Ildiko informed that, the University of
Ghana, Legon currently enrols more than 40 students undertaking Kiswahili
language studies either as an elective or a major. The Government of Ghana sponsors a total of 8
students on the mandatory one year “study
abroad arrangement” at the University of Dar es Salaam as part of their
study. Furthermore, the university is in the process of establishing a Masters
program (MA/ M.Phil.) in Kiswahili Language, the program is expected to commence
in the 2023/2024 academic year.
Students at the Kiswahili Language studies section have organised themselves in a group known as the Swahili Students Association (SWASA) which gives them the opportunity to learn in a less formal classroom arrangement. To encourage academic excellence, the University of Ghana, Legon in collaboration with Dr. Ken Kwaku, the former Honorary Consul of Ghana to Tanzania, established the “Rebecca Memorial Award’ to the best student in Kiswahili language studies.
In his remarks, H. E. Dr. Bana commended and appreciated the efforts of the University of Ghana, Legon at promoting Kiswahili Language. He promised the support of Tanzania High Commission, Abuja to the university in the promotion of Kiswahili language, which is part of the priority of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania. Furthermore, he encouraged the Department and the Kiswahili Section in particular to stay committed to the program taking into account the myriad of opportunities that will follow the declaration of Kiswahili as an official working language of the African Union, on February 05, 2022 by the Assembly of African Union Heads of State and Government, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Moreover, H. E. Dr Benson Alfred Bana commended the commitment of the University of Ghana to revive the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it had with the University of Dar es Salaam which sets out cooperation objectives and modalities, and informed that the University of Dar es Salaam is also committed to reviving the MoU. He further proposed to University of Ghana, Legon to look into the possibility of establishing Kiswahili clubs which may take on board other interested Kiswahili learners outside the university, a proposal which was taken positively.
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