THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
In a significant move to bolster German language education in Ghana, the German Embassy in the country has announced a partnership with the University of Education, Winneba (UEW). The collaboration aims to establish a dedicated Department of German Language at UEW, complete with essential resources and personnel, including a lecturer funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The initiative seeks to promote effective teaching and learning of the German language within the country.
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has expressed its readiness to facilitate the initiative, recognizing the numerous benefits associated with learning German. These advantages encompass opportunities for Ghanaian students to pursue studies in Germany and the strengthening of business and academic relations between the two nations.
Deputy German Ambassador to Ghana, Ms Sivine Jansen, accompanied by DAAD Regional Director, Ms Lena Leumer, recently visited UEW’s management team. During the meeting, Ms Jansen emphasized the pivotal role UEW plays in meeting the growing demand for German language education and in fostering academic and professional opportunities for students in Ghana.
The University of Education, Winneba, has been offering German language courses since 2005, primarily to students pursuing French as their first language and German as a second language. The new initiative aims to expand the program, allowing students to major in German for a bachelor’s degree.
Mastering the German language offers substantial advantages, particularly in Ghana’s evolving economic and academic landscape. As Ghana’s fourth-largest foreign trading partner, Germany plays a crucial role in the country’s commerce, with over 90 German companies operating locally. Many of these businesses actively seek employees proficient in German, recognizing the language as a key asset in fostering seamless communication and stronger business relationships.
Beyond Germany itself, German is widely spoken in Austria and Switzerland, making it an essential tool for professionals in international trade, diplomacy and tourism. Notably, with approximately 100 million native speakers, German is the most spoken mother tongue in Europe, surpassing English, French, Italian and Spanish —reinforcing its importance for those looking to expand their academic, career and business opportunities on the continent and beyond.
The strengthened collaboration between the German Embassy and UEW is set to drive significant progress in education, economic cooperation, and diplomatic relations between Ghana and Germany in the long term. By expanding access to German language education, this initiative will not only equip Ghanaian students with valuable linguistic skills but also open doors to academic scholarships, career prospects with German companies, and increased participation in international trade and diplomacy. As Germany continues to be a key economic partner for Ghana, this initiative fosters deeper engagement between the two nations, empowering students with the tools needed to thrive in an increasingly globalized world.
Felix Dappah
