Ghana Immigration Officers at KIA bridge language gap with Chinese training
The graduation ceremony, held in Accra, highlighted the importance of the training as a tool to improve service delivery at the airport, which sees a high volume of Chinese visitors due to increasing diplomatic, business, and tourism ties between Ghana and China.
Officers stationed at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) under the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) have successfully completed a 12-week Mandarin language course, marking a key step towards better communication with Chinese travelers.
The graduation ceremony, held in Accra, highlighted the importance of the training as a tool to improve service delivery at the airport, which sees a high volume of Chinese visitors due to increasing diplomatic, business, and tourism ties between Ghana and China.
Speaking at the event, Regional Commander Edith Penelope Arhin emphasized the value of the program. “Chinese nationals make up a large portion of our foreign visitors. Being able to engage them in their native language is essential for smoother operations,” she explained.
Although GIS officers are exposed to various languages, the emphasis on Mandarin stems from the growing number of Chinese passengers entering Ghana. The course was facilitated by the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana and led by Professor Wang Jin Min, who noted that the training went beyond vocabulary.
“We incorporated key elements of Chinese culture to ensure officers not only speak the language but also understand cultural nuances,” Prof Wang said.
The exchange of cultures is mutual—while GIS officers learned Mandarin, Chinese students at the Institute are also introduced to Twi, promoting a shared appreciation of each other’s traditions.
An officer reflecting on the experience said, “Before the training, it was tough to assist Chinese travelers effectively. Now, I can communicate clearly and help them without confusion.”
During the ceremony, officers showcased their newly acquired language skills by holding conversations in Mandarin, reflecting their readiness to apply their knowledge in real-life scenarios.
As Ghana continues to build global partnerships, this initiative represents a proactive step toward fostering inclusive and efficient immigration services.
