Alliance Française Accra (AFA) Director Hélène Geneau-Okutue has encouraged Ghanaians to pursue proficiency in French.

Speaking to Class News’ Prince Benjamin (PB) in an exclusive interview, she outlined her reasons, including recognising Ghana had prominent Francophone neighbours like Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire and Togo, and how learning French could aid cohesion and open employment doors.  

“Speaking French for a Ghanaian is today a necessity to stand out on the job market, to have access to training in the sub-region,” Hélène said.

“It is essential today to speak a second international language, in particular French, which opens so many doors around the world.”

Apart from the international relevance of speaking French, the AFA executive observed, also, “In certain sectors of activity in Ghana, you cannot progress professionally if you do not speak French, I am thinking in particular of professions in the army or banking.”

Hélène underlined, “Ghana has become a full member of the International Organization of La Francophonie since October 2024, this marks a new era for the dissemination of the French language in Ghana.”

Hélène Geneau-Okutue’s mandate includes coordinating the network of five French Alliances in Ghana: Accra, Kumasi, Cape Coast, Takoradi and Tema.

“These networks support the French-speaking trajectory of Ghana by offering French courses from as young as 3 years old,” she noted.

“We also have partner schools that we advise, we organise training for school and university teachers, and we prepare candidates for international French exams.”