Les Passerelles Globale
Les Passerelles Globale-BRIDGES
is a non-profit organisation seeking to bridge the gap
Les Passerelles Globale-BRIDGES is a non-profit organization working to bridge socio-cultural language gaps, by providing internationally, language educational support to Immigrants and native born youth of African descent. LPG-BRIDGES use holistic, inter-generational educational means and modalities, that may enhance the acquisition and mastery of the French language. Our intent is to promote inclusiveness, cultural understanding, positive self-actualization and economic robustness in communities where language Laws influence the rules of social engagement.
We believe that “Education is the root and route to liberty.” and a mighty tool for self-empowerment. .
The practice and the acquisition of the French language by immigrants and native born peoples of the African Diaspora is an asset to the evolution of communities in Quebec, Canada and Ghana, West Africa. This is one of the best regional integration tool. It is also one of the best ways to economic development, and is a catalyst and facilitator of dialogue, negotiations, and harmonization within neighbourhoods.
Les Passerelles Globale-BRIDGES is a non-profit organisation seeking to bridge the gap between Anglophone and Francophone communities in West Africa by bringing educational resources, human resources and practical support to local communities, from the grassroots up, to quickly and effectively spread the French language in Ghana and to bridge the gap between cultures.
In a very short period of time, sound management and leadership practices have allowed the Les Passerelles team to start five diverse and ambitious community-based pilot projects in Accra including Competency in French for Medical Professionals, French/English association, TV E-learning program, The integration of migrants from French-speaking countries into Ghanaian society, and, Street School (teaching French to kids on the street). The organisation has a professional website (www.lespasserelles.org) and social media visibility to attract funding and to allow individuals to donate directly online.
Ghana is one of the seven members of zone B of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Five out of the seven-member states have French as their official language. Also, Ghana has borders with Togo, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire; all French-speaking countries. Therefore, there is a pressing need for Ghana to adopt French as a second language. This has recently been highlighted by some of the highest-ranking officials in Ghana including President Nana Akufo-Addo, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, and, Professor Kwesi Yankah, Minister of State for Tertiary education. Also, as the French Ambassador in Ghana, HE François Pujolas said, “the practice of the French language is Ghana’s best regional integration tool and it’s also one of the best ways for economic development as a facilitator of dialogue, negotiations, and harmonization with its neighbours.
Our History
Since 1963 Marion Lowe McLean, founder of Les Passerelles Globale, has been a professional educator and a champion for education equality, community development and finding solutions to language as a barrier to cultural inclusiveness. Among her many achievements Marion started a breakfast and lunch programme which became the model for schools in Montreal; was a founding member of The Quebec Board of Black Educators (QBBE), and won the prestigious Woman of Distinction for Community Services award from the Circle de Femme (under the auspices of the then Governor-General of Quebec) in 2003.
Originally from Jamaica, West Indies, with family ties in Ghana, West Africa, Marion emigrated to Montreal, Quebec in her 20’s. She has witnessed Quebec become “a nation within a nation” and the heart of French-speaking Canada; Quebec is in a similar situation to Ghana being a French province surrounded on all sides by English speaking provinces and the USA.
Marion’s instinctive and personal interest in Ghanaian culture led her to see what no-one else has seen; a tangible opportunity to help Ghana’s regional integration and economic prosperity by becoming bilingual. Using extensive knowledge and experience gained in Quebec, practical and effective French language programmes can be introduced in Ghana without extensive design and development delays.
This idea was formed after a conversation with the High Commissioner of the Republic of Ghana, The Honourable H.E. Joseph Ayikoi Otoo, at the Ghana High Commission in Ottawa. After further talks with staff at the High Commission, a group was formed to discuss the possibility of working on a project called French in Ghana and to brainstorm ideas. The group presented to the High Commissioner on 30 January 2020. As a result, the High Commissioner referred the group to the department of Educational Services. At a subsequent meeting in Ghana with Assistant Director of Educational Services, Pat Assan, the proposal was well received and a formal proposal to the Director of Educational Services was requested and submitted.
Since the meeting with the Director of Educational Services, a great deal of progress has been made. Les Passerelles Globale has been formally registered in Ghana and several pilot projects are underway in Accra. This demonstrates the wealth of opportunities available to build and develop as an organisation dedicated to socio-cultural equality, charity and education. The pilot projects described in the Products and Services section below.
