The Minister of Manpower, Youth and Employment, Mr Boniface Abubakar Saddique, has proposed the teaching of Chinese language in tertiary institutions in the country.

He said this measure would deepen the Ghana-China bilateral ties especially in the area of trade, education and culture.

Alhaji Saddique made the suggestion in a speech read for him when the sod was cut for work to commence on the construction of the Kumasi Youth Centre at Ahinsan in Kumasi.

He said the Ministry was optimistic that the teaching of Chinese language in Ghana would facilitate the transfer of technical know-how to the country, and inculcate the Chinese attitude towards work into Ghanaians for accelerated socio-economic development.

Alhaji Saddique noted that Chinese language was being increasingly taught and spoken in developed countries and other parts of the world. He said as an emerging economy, therefore, it behoved Ghana to commit resources to encourage the youth to learn and speak the language for mutual benefit.

He commended the Chinese people for their vision, hard work and patriotism, which had ensured the country's advancement in science and technology over the years.

The Minister said it was gratifying that from nowhere and with virtually limited natural resources, China had been able to transform her economy due to the country's constant search for knowledge, stressing that it was about time that Ghana took a cue from their success story.

Mr Saddique said in view of the fact that government recognized the youth's potential as the backbone of the nation's economy, it would continue to create opportunities and the enabling environment for the youth to realize their God-given talents.

He entreated youth groups to form networks for regular interaction to disseminate information and to ensure the sharing of knowledge and to be engage in joint work on conflict prevention and resolution as well as education on HIV/AIDS prevention.

Mr Saddique said these were important in view of the growing rate of youth violence and crime, passion for watching pornographic materials, sexual promiscuity, as well as substance abuse by the youth.

Mr Zhang Keyuan, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, re-affirmed his country's resolve to provide Ghana with the requisite support should there be efforts to teach Chinese language in Ghanaian schools.

He said because Ghana adhered to good governance and the rule of law, the Chinese Government would continue to collaborate with Ghana, especially in the areas of road construction, education, energy, trade and industry.

The Chinese Ambassador expressed optimism that when completed the Kumasi Youth Centre would assist in channeling the energies of the youth into productive activities.

Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti Regional Minister, thanked the Chinese Government for jointly funding the project and hoped the facility would be taken good care of when completed.

The 1.3 million-dollar multi-purpose project was being funded by government in collaboration with the Chinese Government and was being executed by the Jiangsu Jiangdu Construction Engineering company Limited over a period of one year.

The Centre when completed would be equipped with facilities for a variety of indoor games and have an ultra modern conference centre.

Source: GNA