<<Print>>

The Islamic Council of Ghana is proposing inculcating the study of Arabic language into the curricula of the Ghana Education Service, GES. It argues that Arabic, just as English and French are foreign languages but Arabic is not examinable by the GES. The Council made the appeal when the presidential nominee of the NPP, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, called on it in Tamale. Its chairman, Sheik Issah Alhassan, said Arabic speakers in Ghana are more than those who speak French and wondered why the GES is dragging its feet in making the language examinable. He said Islamic schools are bleeding with lack of human resource because for some time now the GES has stopped recruiting Arabic tutors. Sheik Alhassan noted that the era when Muslims voted based on religious inclinations is over. This time they will vote based on issues. In response, Nana Addo said some of the issues raised have been catered for in the party's manifesto. These include the payment of allowances to Arabic tutors as well as building infrastructure for Arabic schools. On the issue of making Arabic language examinable by the GES, Nana Addo said if elected as president, he will consult with the relevant institutions to make a strong case for that.