The awards were presented to 28 Ghanaian students who have excelled in the learning of Chinese Language and culture.Madam Sun observed that cooperation between the two countries in culture, education and people to people exchange were ever increasing.“So far, China has set up two Confucius Institutes in Ghana and sent Chinese students to teach Chinese in five Ghanaian universities,” she said.

Madam Sun added that more Ghanaian students were now leaving the shores of the country to study in China and said this year, more than 1,200 Ghanaian students had been issued visas to travel to China.She stated that the China-Ghana Friendship Association was another high indicator of the growing relations between the two countries.

Madam Sun urged the students to continue to work hard in order to improve upon themselves, and help further the fruitful relations between the two countries.Mr. Yawson Edward Joseph, who spoke on behalf of the award recipients,  expressed appreciation to the Chinese Ambassador for initiating the Award Scheme, and also, for all the other opportunities that went with learning the Chinese Language.

He observed that whilst students, through the study of Chinese, had the opportunity to travel to China for further studies, many others also gained employment opportunities with Chinese companies after school.Mr. Yawson expressed the hope that the learning of the Chinese Language by Ghanaian students would continue and grow over the years, and help deepen the existing bilateral relations between the two countries.

Three students who placed first were each given USD 600, whilst eight students who placed second were each given USD 500 USD.Eight students who placed third, each received USD 400, whilst nine pupils at the basic school level were each given GHC 500 GHC.