Mr. MIHARA Asahiko, JICA Special Advisor has paid a courtesy call on the Director to discuss existing cooperation between the Institute and JICA as well as opportunities for future collaborations. The call is part of the Special Advisor’s working visit in Ghana.

In her remarks, the Director expressed her delight to receive Mr. MIHARA Asahiko. She appreciated JICA for their immense support to the Institute, especially for their grant aid to construct the Advanced Research Laboratory which was of great benefit to the nation and the West African subregion in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr. MIHARA Asahiko was also very pleased to be at the Institute, reminiscing about an earlier visit during his youthful days, and how pleased he was to visit again in the capacity as JICA Special Advisor.

The two institutions had fruitful deliberations on increased collaboration, with JICA poised to consider supporting Noguchi’s clinical trials as well as research in other non-communicable diseases. The team also had a tour of the Institute to appreciate the Institute’s scientific environment.

Mr. MIHARA Asahiko is a former MP of the Liberal Democratic Party (Majority) and was the Acting Chairperson of the Japan AU Member of Parliament Friendship League. He also played a very important role in lobbying the National Diet on the importance of the Official Development Assistance (ODA).

The delegation from JICA included Mr. Odawara Kosuke, Deputy Director General, Planning and TICAD Project, Africa Development Headquarters, Mr. Araki Yasumichi, Chief Representative, JICA Ghana Office, Mr. Shimuzi Takuya, Representative in Health, and Mr. Prosper Tang, Health Program Specialist, Ghana JICA Office.