That, she said, would help them to maintain their proficiency level in Chinese language.

Dr Dzahene-Quarshie gave the advice in Accra at a ceremony to end an eight-week Chinese Proficiency Course training organised for immigration officers at the country’s borders.

The course, which was organised by the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana was sponsored by the Chinese Embassy in Ghana.

The training equipped the officers with the speaking and writing of Basic Chinese language as well as Chinese culture; to enable them to communicate effectively with Chinese nationals and other tourists at their duty posts.

“It is my hope that you will not rest on your oars, but strive to maintain and build on the level of proficiency you have acquired in Chinese Language through independent study; and more importantly by using the language at every given opportunity, because the only way to maintain proficiency in a language is to speak it.”

The Ghanaian Director expressed the hope that the knowledge the immigration officers acquired through the training would facilitate their work.

“It is my hope that the Chinese proficiency and the knowledge you have acquired will go a long way to facilitate your communication with Chinese Nationals as they go through immigration and  bring to light the motto of the immigration Service which is: “Friendship with vigilance.”

The Confucius Institute is a non-profit public educational organisation affiliated with the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China.

It promotes the teaching of Chinese language and culture, supports local Chinese teaching internationally, and facilitates cultural exchanges.