Ghana considering agreement to send English teachers to Colombia – Veep

Ghana is exploring a new bilateral arrangement with the Republic of Colombia that could see Ghanaian teachers deployed to Colombia to support English language education, Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has announced.

The proposal emerged during a courtesy call at the Presidency by Colombia’s Vice President, Francia Elena Márquez Mina, who is in Ghana for a three-day official visit aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two nations.

Speaking during the engagement, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said Ghana was eager to expand the existing language-exchange framework, under which Colombia has consistently provided Spanish teachers to Ghanaian institutions. She noted that the programme has significantly strengthened language capacity while promoting deeper cultural ties between the two countries.

“Ghana particularly values Colombia’s enduring support for the teaching of the Spanish language in Ghana — a programme that has significantly enhanced institutional capacity and deepened cross-cultural understanding,” she said. The Vice President revealed that the graduation ceremony for the 12th cohort of students under the Spanish-teaching programme was held on Wednesday, December 11, and she used the moment to advocate for a reciprocal arrangement.

“I was asking that we expand that path to send teachers of English from Ghana to Colombia, too,” she stated.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang highlighted that both countries already enjoy cooperation in areas such as immigration, agriculture, political consultations, air services, technical cooperation, sports and youth development. She stressed the need to build on these foundations to broaden the scope of partnership and unlock new opportunities.

“Our two countries have signed agreements and are undertaking joint projects in several areas,” she noted, adding that expanding educational and cultural programmes would complement efforts to strengthen economic cooperation.

The Vice President underscored Ghana’s interest in exploring new avenues for collaboration, including trade, cultural exchange and tourism. She said Colombia’s strengths in biodiversity-driven innovation, creative industries and agro-processing align well with Ghana’s emerging investment prospects.

“Colombia stands to benefit from our dynamic investment landscape and growing markets in agriculture, energy and services,” she emphasized.

As part of efforts to deepen business relations, she disclosed that the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) had organised a business seminar for the Colombian delegation accompanying Vice President Márquez Mina. The engagement, she explained, was designed to introduce investors to Ghana’s economic opportunities and foster long-term partnerships.

The discussion on deploying Ghanaian teachers to Colombia is expected to feature prominently as both countries move to renew and expand cooperation frameworks during the ongoing visit.