Mochizuki Hisanobu, the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, has assured the readiness of his country to play an active role in the transformation of the Ghanaian economy.
Delivering a speech at the launch of the JICA Chair Studies Short Course at the University of Ghana, Ambassador Mochizuki noted that while Ghana has made some gains in its economy, there still remain some huge gaps that Japan could help address.
He noted that the JICA program is a clear platform for developing nations like Ghana to leverage and learn from the success stories of Japan.
Mochizuki Hisanobu appealed to students, government officials, and other leaders of the country to avail themselves of the studies and incorporate the developmental principles and projects of Japan into the country’s economic development plans.
“In comparison to the situation ten years ago, you have achieved remarkable progress, but you still have a lot of challenges and things to do for the further development of Ghana. It is our great pleasure to contribute to your efforts,” he remarked, stressing that Japan’s journey was not a miracle but a result of determined policies, strategic learning, and effective implementation.
Dr. Lloyd Adu Amoah, Director of the Center for Asian Studies at the University of Ghana, emphasized the importance of exposing Ghanaian students to the culture and stories of other nations.
He explained that equipping students with such knowledge will enable them to form a holistic view of the world and adopt the best practices that will shape their future and the country’s.
“We teach our students and develop curricula, including seminars and lectures, with the critical question being how these ideas eventually influence policy. Academics don’t create policies; that’s the responsibility of the presidency and politicians within the ministries.”
Madam Suzuki Jica Momoko, JICA’s chief representative to Ghana, touted Japan’s developmental model as the ideal one for countries like Ghana.
She explained that Japan, in its quest for development, did not shun its indigenous culture but rather ensured a successful fusion of original Japanese culture and modern trends.
The JICA Chair Studies program, themed “Understanding the Japanese Development Miracle from the Meiji Revolution to the Present,” seeks to expose Ghanaians to the impressive journey of Japan from a mere country to one of the world’s powerful economies.
The objective is that the knowledge garnered during the studies will enable the students to contribute significantly to Ghana’s growth.
EK
