The Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, Mochizuki Hisanobu, has encouraged Ghanaian students and policymakers to draw lessons from Japan’s transformation into a modern economy, asserting that learning from other countries’ developmental paths could help Ghana overcome challenges and advance its growth.
Speaking at the launch of the JICA Chair Studies Short Course at the University of Ghana, Ambassador Mochizuki highlighted that while Ghana had achieved notable progress over the past decade, there remained areas requiring further improvement.
“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.
The JICA Chair Studies program, themed “Understanding the Japanese Development Miracle from the Meiji Revolution to the Present,” aims to expose Ghanaians to Japan’s modernization journey and provide insights applicable to Ghana’s growth efforts.
Echoing the Ambassador's sentiments, JICA Ghana Chief Representative Madam Suzuki Jica Momoko emphasized Japan’s potential to lead in developmental studies, noting the country’s balance between modernization and cultural preservation as a model for sustainable development.
Dr. Lloyd Adu Amoah, Director of the Center for Asian Studies at the University of Ghana, added that the knowledge gained through such programs should translate into real solutions, encouraging policymakers to create an environment where new ideas can shape Ghana’s development trajectory.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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