The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, has called on teachers to make the teaching and learning of the French language attractive at the basic level.
He made the cal at the Annual Divine Mercy French Award to school children at Koforidua on Monday.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said although Ghana is surrounded by francophone countries few of its citizens are able to communicate in the French language and this is hampering socio-economic activities between it and its neighbours.
He said the government, having realized the importance of the French language, would promote its study.
The Regional Minister said the government had engaged experts to scrutinize the educational reforms to ensure that attention is given to certain relevant courses such as French.
He commended the Community of the Holy Family of Divine Mercy for instituting the awards for the learning of French.
The chairman of the organizing committee, Dr Armel Abou, said the main objective of instituting the awards was to transform the young generation into a bilingual one within a decade by enhancing their interest in the French Language and also to improve West Africa integration thorough the fluent speaking and writing of French and English.
He said 100 students from 13 schools participated in the awards and Pentecost schools in Koforidua emerged winners in both Primary and Junior High school categories followed by Riss Model School.