A SPEECH BY CENTRAL REGIONAL MINISTER OF GHANA– HON. KWABENA DUNCAN
AT THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE
AT UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST
（June 2, 2017, UCC Main Auditorium ）
Ladies and gentlemen：
Good morning
Ghana’s relation with China is a relationship that has been beneficiary to both counties, and if we decide to take account, I am sure that alone will take the entire day. But it is so obvious that the two countries have stood side by side in their relationship, and their people have one way or the other benefited from this relationship. The establishment of Confucius Institute is even a further platform for the strengthening of this relationship between our two countries. I am glad as the Minister for the Region, to have this Institute collaborate with the University, for the benefits of the people in the Region and by virtue their counterpart.
I highly commend the management of the University, for this wonderful vision to team up with this Institute, which undeniably will seek to add on to the human resource base in the Region. Already, the presentation delivered by Prof. Hu Liangcai, China Director of the Confucius Institute – UCC, indicated that our people have already started studying the Chinese Language. This wouldn’t have happen without the decision made by the University to collaborate with this Institute, I therefore applaud the management of this University for taken such a decision.
In terms of what we have benefited from the Chinese government in the Region, the list is many. The Chinese are into major infrastructure development in the region, such as the Atta Mills Sports Stadium, and the legendary Kotokoraba market which was done for us by the government of China. They are also into assisting us in the Region to shape up our roads, and construction of several educational structures, all of these free of charge. For us in the Region, we have benefited immensely from the government and people of China. Therefore, this collaboration between Confucius Institute and University of Cape Coast will further give us more benefits.
The first time I heard the name “Confucius” was in my middle school form one to form three. I got to know that the name “Confucius” was the name of a Chinese philosopher. He was also a teacher, a great educator, a philosopher, an editor, and a politician. Today we have the Confucius Institute here, it is because Chinese people place a lot of value on this man.
The things which he valued were personal moralities, governmental moralities, correctness in social relationships, fairness and justice, those were the teachings and beliefs of Confucius. There is therefore no doubt about the character of Chinese people. They believe in the correctness of attitude, and those who go contrary to that face the penalty. Those are the things that have work together to bring the Chinese people to where they are today, and it is not in doubt that the twenty first century belongs to the Chinese people.
It is unfortunate that a few days ago, America decided to step out of an agreement to find a solution to the world climate problem. It is not surprising therefore, that the world is calling on China to take the leadership position which has been relinquished by America. The very things which have made China come this far are a lesson to us as a country. In our individual and official roles, in our leadership positions, let us ensure that the things we do will have a positive impact on the development of our country. The golden rule on which Confucianism was based was “do unto others as you like them do unto you” (己所不欲，勿施于人), that was the principles of Confucius and if we all have this attitude as a country, I am sure we will succeed in taking our country from this level to a higher level.
On this account, I wish to congratulate Confucius Institute – University of Cape Coast for their one year anniversary. I wish you a joyful celebration, and I urge that you bear in mind the need to carry out the goals and the objectives that you have set for yourselves. I wish also to congratulate the University. I am happy for the leadership of the university today, and I urge that they further extend the necessary support needed by this Institute to grow and to be of immense benefit, not only to Central Region but Ghana as a whole.
I thank you for your kindness.
加纳中部地区省长在海岸角大学孔子学院周年庆典上的演讲
（2017年6月2日，海岸角大学大礼堂）
女士们，先生们：
早上好！
加纳和中国的关系是一种长期互利双赢的关系。如果我们要细想一下双方的好处，我想我们肯定要花一整天。显而易见两国是肩并肩的关系，而且两国的人民都在这种密切关系中获益良多。孔子学院的建立是进一步强化两国关系的重要平台。作为中部地区的省长，建立这样一个与大学合作的学院，我感到很高兴。因为这不仅仅让中部地区人民获益匪浅也将惠及其他地区的人民。
我十分欣赏这个大学的管理水平，因为与孔子学院合作是很有远见的。不可否认，这将给中部地区的人力资源基础增添新的生机。先前，孔子学院中方院长胡亮才教授的演讲表明我们的人民已经开始学习汉语。如果没有海岸角大学大学与这个学院合作的决定，这一切都是不可能发生的。因此，我为海岸角大学这样一个正确的决定而喝彩。
就中部地区从中国政府那里得到的好处来说，数不胜数。中国作为中部地区的基础设施建设的主力军，为我们援建了阿米塔米尔斯体育场和海岸角图库热巴超市。他们还协助我们铺设道路，并建设了好几个教学大楼，而这所有的一切都是免费的。我们中部地区的人民已经从中国政府和人民那里获得了巨大的利益，因此，孔子学院和海岸角大学的合作将进一步给我们带来更多的好处。
我第一次听到“孔子”这个名字是在中学时。从初一到初三的初中生涯，我了解到“孔子”是一位中国哲学家。他也是一位老师，一位伟大的教育家，作家和政治家。孔子学院之所以以“孔子”命名，就是因为中国人在这个人身上寄予了很多价值。
孔夫子所看重的事情是个人道德，政府道德，社会道德，公平和公正，这些都是孔子的教义和理念。因此，毫无疑问，这些都是中国人的性格特点。他们相信态度端正就能成功，反之则会受到惩罚。正是这些思想共同作用才凝聚了中国人并成就了今天的他们，毫无疑问，21世纪是属于中国人的世纪。
不幸的是前几天，美国决定退出“巴黎协定”，寻找其他的方法解决世界气候问题。因此，世界号召中国取代美国坐上领导地位并不令人感到吃惊。站在我们的个人和官方角度上，站在地区领导人的地位上，我们相信我们所做的事对我们国家的发展有积极的作用。孔夫子认为做人的基本准则是“己所不欲，勿施于人”。如果一个国家的所有人都秉持这种态度，我相信我们会成功地将我们的国家提升到一个更高的水平。
因此，对海岸角大学孔子学院的周年庆典，我表示衷心祝贺，希望你们有一个愉快的庆典。而且，我力主你们一定要完成自己给自己设立的目标。我也衷心祝贺海岸角大学。我也为今天的海岸角大学的领导力感到高兴。同时，我将敦促他们进一步加大对孔子学院的必要支持，以便他们更能发挥自己的用处，为整个中部地区乃至是整个加纳创造更多的利益。
谢谢!