By Gloria Anderson
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chair Program for Japanese Studies has been launched at the Center for Asian Studies, University of Ghana. This initiative will provide Ghanaian students, researchers, and professionals with a platform to explore Japan’s unique experiences in modernization, human capital development, technological advancement, and international cooperation.
The program is designed to foster innovation and resilient industrialization in Ghana by promoting academic collaboration and equipping participants with skills for economic transformation. Speaking at the launch in Accra, Suzuki Momoko, Chief Representative of JICA Ghana, emphasized that this program would not only enhance workforce skills but also open international communication and networking opportunities for Ghana’s professional landscape.
Implemented in various universities globally, the JICA Chair Program seeks to develop innovative leaders, particularly in developing countries like Ghana. JICA envisions this partnership with the University of Ghana as a path to strengthen Japan-Ghana relations and equip Ghanaians with the tools to address global challenges. Momoko Suzuki underscored the program’s potential to boost employability and global career prospects for participants, saying, “This will equip individuals who can dream of a better future and realize their diverse potentials.”
The Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Mochizuki Hisanobu, commended Ghana’s developmental progress but noted that the country still faces infrastructural challenges. He affirmed that the JICA Chair Program would contribute significantly to addressing these issues and fostering economic growth.
Dr. Lloyd Adu Amoah, Director of the Center for Asian Studies at the University of Ghana, highlighted the importance of this program in positioning Ghanaians to engage more effectively with Asia. “To position Ghanaians in a better state to engage the Asian world is crucial for tapping into innovative advantages,” he noted.
The event, themed “Understanding Japan’s Developmental ‘Miracle’ from the Meiji Revolution to the Present,” drew policymakers, academic experts, business leaders, and students to discuss the promising role of Japanese studies in Ghana’s future.