This Year’s World Arabic Language Day was on Thursday held in Accra.

The event, hosted by the Arabic Section of the Department of African and Asian Languages of the University of Ghana, was attended by Islamic Clerics, representatives of the Algerian and Saudi Embassies, and students from Arabic Institutions.

On the theme: ‘Innovative Pathways for Arabic; Policies and Practices for a More Inclusive Linguistic Future,’ the event was also used to seek opinions of the participants on measures needed to promote the language at the grassroots.

December 18th was adopted by the United Nations in 1978 as World Arabic Language Day and has since been adopted by UNESCO and commemorated annually to create awareness on the usage and learning of the Arabic Language.

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency, Abubakar Saana Abdul Quddus, who commended the organisers for spearheading the programme, disclosed that the government recently opened applications for the employment of Arabic teachers in schools across the country.

He stated that surprisingly his outfit received about 15,000 applications for only 6,000 available slots and assured that steps were being taken to support the Ghana Education Service to have Arabic teachers in all Islamic schools.

Mr Quddus urged the youth and students present to take the study of the Arabic language seriously, saying that the modern world offered opportunities based on merit and competence rather than personal connections.

The Deputy Head of Mission at the Algerian Embassy, Ahmed Ramzi Boumazza, indicated that the Arabic language was not merely a language of communication but also a rich vehicle of culture, history, civilisation, and intellectual heritage that had contributed significantly to the global growth, shared knowledge and intercultural dialogue among nations.

He assured the organisers of the Algerian Embassy’s support to help promote the language in educational institutions, especially Islamic educational institutions.

The Representative of the Saudi Embassy, Sheikh Yahya Tuntumba, highlighted the need for a strategic plan aimed at enhancing the teaching and learning of the Arabic language in Ghana.

Sheikh Hamid Mohammed Ibrahim, who chaired the ceremony, explained that Arabic is not a language meant only for Muslims but a language for all.

He paid glowing tribute to the significant contributions of non-Muslim scholars who previously headed the Department of African and Asian Languages during his tenure as Head of Department at the University of Ghana, noting that their leadership played a vital role in the growth and development of Arabic studies at the university.

The Head of the Department of African and Asian Languages at the University of Ghana, Dr Felix Soso, encouraged heads and faculty members from various universities and institutions in attendance to collaborate towards transforming the celebration into a national and international conference.