The Confucius Institute at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST) has hosted the two-day finals of the 2026 Chinese Bridge Competition, bringing together contestants from basic, junior high and university levels across Ghana.
The competition, held under the theme, “Soaring as One; Bridging Cultures, Shaping Tomorrow,” celebrated language learning, cultural exchange and the growing educational ties between Ghana and China.
The event began with contests for pupils in the primary school category and featured rich displays of both Chinese and Ghanaian culture through music, dance and traditional performances. Participants from KNUST, the University of Ghana (UG) and the University of Cape Coast (UCC) also competed in speech presentations, cultural performances and demonstrations of Chinese language proficiency.
The Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at KNUST, Professor Ke Ningli, welcomed participants and expressed pride in the growth of the competition over the years. He noted that the Chinese Bridge Competition serves as a platform to showcase Chinese culture and strengthen cultural exchange, describing it as “a bridge that connects hearts, cultures and truth” since its inception.
Speaking at the event, the Vice President of Hubei University of Automotive Technology (HUAT), Professor Zhang Hongxia, expressed appreciation to stakeholders supporting educational exchanges between Ghana and China. She also congratulated the contestants for advancing to the finals, commending their hard work.
Representing the Ashanti Regional Minister, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Asokwa, Hon. Kamel Amoh, noted the increasing interest among Ghanaian students in learning the Chinese language as preparation for a globalised world.
According to him, the decision by students to study Chinese reflects discipline and a desire to participate actively in the global economy. He further highlighted the relationship between Ghana and China in areas such as trade, health, infrastructure and education.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Professor Charles Marfo, Provost of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.praised the participants and encouraged them to see language learning as a pathway to global leadership and innovation. He described them as “global leaders, innovators and the stars of the day,” adding that their commitment to learning Chinese positions them to contribute meaningfully to international collaboration and cultural understanding.
The Ghanaian Director of the Confucius Institute at KNUST, Professor Daniel Yaw Addai Duah, said the institute is working toward expanding its academic partnerships and strengthening Chinese studies in Ghana. He stated that the performances from contestants across the country were inspiring and symbolic of stronger international cooperation.
Prof. Duah also commended teachers, parents, judges and sponsors for supporting the success of the competition and congratulated contestants from the UCC for their strong performances. He announced that the next edition of the competition would be hosted by the University of Ghana.
The competition ended with strong performances across institutions. At KNUST, Evelyn Atuahene won Best Talent (Secondary) and Akua Nkrumah Peprah won Best Talent (Middle School), while KNUST Basic School received Excellent Prize Awards. UCC dominated across categories, with Prince Amissah winning the Primary category, Yvette Brown Ansah taking the Secondary category, and Boadu Bertha Asiedua winning the University category.
UG also recorded strong results, as Elizabeth Makafui Aguadze placed second in the Primary category while winning Best Talent, Afua Ampaw earned Best Speech and second place in the Secondary category, and Felix Mensah Kwaku Bari won Best Speech in the University category.
