A flag-raising ceremony has been held to commemorate the 54th Anniversary of the International Organisation of La Francophonie under the theme “Create, Innovate, Undertake in French.”
The ceremony which was held at the forecourt of the State House on Wednesday 20th March 2024 happened in the presence of H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo President of Ghana, H.E Mr Maher Kheir Ambassador of Lebanon to Ghana, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Ambrose Dery Minister for the Interior, Hon. John Ntim Fordjuor, Inspector General of Police Dr George Akuffo Dampare, H.E. Thi Hoang Mai Tran, West African Regional Representative for OIF, Ambassadors and members of the Diplomatic Corps among others.
In his address, H.E President Nana Akufo-Addo that the OIF stands as a testament to the foresight and dedication of its founding fathers to advance the use French language, encouraging cultural and linguistic diversity and promoting peace, security and harmony amongst people across the world.
He noted that Ghana’s contributions since joining the OIF as an associate member in 2006 cannot be overlooked.
“The various Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding signed between Ghana and the OIF and its Member States have yielded fruitful partnerships, exemplified by agreements such as the Linguistic Pact signed in May 2018 and the Teacher Mobility Program initiated in November 2021” he stated.
He added “Through initiatives such as the Teacher Mobility Programme, which has seen several French teachers contribute to enhancing the quality of French education in Ghana, we have witnessed significant strides in our linguistic and educational sectors. It is encouraging to note that the achievements of the Programme have led to its renewal for 2 years.
He commended the OIF for its new 2024-2027 programme which will focus on education and Culture, democracy and good governance, and sustainable development.
“We in Ghana applaud the efforts of this programme in meeting the needs of French-speaking populations, and we are proud to be part of this transformative journey” he added.
President Akufo-Addo called for deepened collaborations among member countries to combat the threats of today’s world.
“Recent developments in the Western and Central African Regions relating to political instability and violent extremism point to the necessity of deepening the engagement between the Member Counties and leveraging our common values to combat these challenges that threaten to destabilise our region and thwart our advancement” he said.
He also announced Ghana’s application for full member status in the OIF ahead of the upcoming Summit in France.
“I am pleased to inform you that Ghana has made substantial strides in our pursuit of full membership. We are poised to submit our application for a change in status, and we are optimistic that the provided information will meet all requirements. We eagerly anticipate that the 2024 Summit in France will mark Ghana’s transition to full membership status within the OIF” he stated.
On his part, H.E. Mr Maher Kheir, the Lebanese Ambassador to Ghana and the President of La Francophonie Ambassadors’ Group, in his address noted the important role of the Francophonie and French languages.
“The Francophonie stands as a beacon of linguistic and cultural diversity, where the French language serves as a bridge connecting people across borders and continents. It is a testament to the lasting power of language to unite, inspire, and empower individuals to strive for a better world”
He commended Ghana’s effort towards becoming a bilingual country by deeply integrating the French language into its education system, promoting linguistic and cultural understanding, encouraging trade relations, collaborating in education, promotion of tourism and participating in international forums.
As a result, he believes that “Ghana therefore has all the qualifications to be a full member of the OIF, and we are convinced that Ghana will be strongly considered at the upcoming 19th Francophonie Summit which will be hosted on October 4 and 5 by France, for the first time in 33 years.”
He called for deeper partnerships among members to build a better world.
“Let us celebrate the richness and diversity of the Francophonie, embracing our shared heritage while embracing our differences and transforming them into an amazing cultural mosaic. As we look ahead to the future, let us seize the opportunities that lie before us with optimism and determination. Let us continue to work together, hand in hand, to build a brighter tomorrow for generations to come” he added.
Also in attendance were officials from the Security Services as well as students and teachers from various schools in Ghana.
The President of the Francophonie Ambassadors’ Group H.E Mr. Maher Kheir and the West African Regional Representative for OIF H.E. Thi Hoang Mai Tran raised the Francophonie flag while the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey raised the flag of Ghana.