On 25 July 2016, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana H.E. Mdm. Sun Baohong attended the sod-cutting ceremony of the academic building of the Model Confucius Institute of University of Ghana and delivered a speech. Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana Professor Ernest Aryeetey, Registrar of the University of Ghana Mrs. Mercy Haizel Ashia, Chinese Director Dr. Mei Meilian and Ghanaian Director Dr. Dzahene-Quarshie of the Confucius Institute of the University of Ghana, representatives from Ghana-China Friendship Association, China-Ghana Trader’s Association and some Chinese Enterprises as well as the teachers and students of the University of Ghana attended the ceremony.
In her speech, Ambassador Sun highly congratulated the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana on obtaining the honor of Global Model Confucius Institute in only two years, and extended gratitude to the University of Ghana and the teachers and students of the Confucius Institute for their hard work. Ambassador Sun encouraged the young students to shoulder responsibility to build the country and serve the motherland, cherish the moment to study hard and realize their dreams. Ambassador Sun also hoped that the work of the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana will be further improved in the future.
In his speech, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana Professor Ernest Aryeetey expressed sincere gratitude to the Chinese Embassy in Ghana and the Confucius Institute Headquarters for supporting the work of the Confucius Institute of the University of Ghana. He said that the establishment of the academic building of the Model Confucius Institute will further strengthen the capacity of teachers and researchers of the University of Ghana. He also hoped that the Ghanaian people could learn from the attitude and practice of the Chinese people of advancing and enriching the traditional culture, and looked forward to closer cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Ambassador Sun planted trees symbolizing the everlasting friendship between China and Ghana together with Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana Professor Ernest Aryeetey and Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute of the University of Ghana Dr. Mei Meilian.
The students of the Confucius Institute performed programs like a swimming dragon playing with a pearl and djembe at the ceremony. Those traditional programs left a deep impression on the audience with rounds of big applause.