The Director of the French Institute in Liberia "Alliance Française de Monrovia", Idrissa Kaba, has recommended that Liberia should become a member state of the International Organization of The Francophonie (IOF).

Mr. Idrissa Kabah pointed out that not only Liberia is a country surrounded by French speaking countries, including Guinea and La Cote d'Ivoire, but equally French is one of the most spoken languages in the world, - the third behind English and Spanish as well as the first international language in Africa, as such, the government should take the teaching of the language seriously.

He made the assertion during an interview with this paper at his Alliance Française Office, in Monrovia, Wednesday. The International Organization of the Francophonie (IOF), known informally and more commonly as "La Francophonie", is an international body representing countries and regions where French is the first or customary language; and/or where a significant proportion of the populations are francophones (French speakers); and/or where there is a notable affiliation with French culture.

The organization comprises 57 member states and governments, three associate members and twenty observers. Some non-French speaking countries are members of the organization, including Ghana (English), Egypt (Arabic and English), Guinea Bissau (Portuguese) and many others.

According to Mr. Kaba, who taught French at the University of Liberia before assuming the directorship of Alliance Française, stressed that Liberia will largely benefit both politically and culturally if she joins member states of the International Organization of the Francophonie (IOF).

Mr. Kaba maintained that it is unfortunate that French teachers in various public and private schools around the country, who, according to him, are not qualified, are not monitored by the Government of Liberia, a situation that does not encourage the students, even at the University level, to take the language seriously in their studies.

He emphasized that there should be a department entirely devoted to French within the Ministry of Education to monitor the French teaching activities throughout the country.

"Most of those teachers cannot even speak French correctly, and they say they are teaching it. What do you expect the students to learn when there is no harmonized curriculum?

Somebody sits down at his house and make up a curriculum for himself to teach", he lamented, adding that the only way people and students will be interested in French is when the Government of Liberia create a French department within the Ministry of Education, and make French Language as one of the compulsory subjects of the WAEC Exams.

Alliance Française is an international school based in Paris, France. It was founded in 1883. Its main objective is to propagate and promote the French language and civilization throughout the world. It is found in many countries in Europe, America, Asia and Africa. Alliance Française of Monrovia was established in 1986, when Louis Dollot was Ambassador of France to Liberia. It is partly sponsored by the French Embassy here.