The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) was honoured to host the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, ABE Toshiko, on Thursday, May 2, 2025. The Minister was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising officials from the Ministry, the Embassy of Japan, including the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana and the JICA Chief Representative.
Professor Dorothy Yeboah-Manu, Director, NMIMR receiving Minister and team
The delegation was warmly received by the Director of NMIMR, Professor Dorothy Yeboah-Manu, and Senior Management of the Institute. Professor Yeboah-Manu delivered a presentation that outlined the Institute’s mandate, notable achievements, and the scope of its research activities particularly in infectious disease surveillance, diagnostics, and capacity building in Ghana and the sub-region.
Professor Dorothy Yeboah-Manu, Director, NMIMR addressing the visitors.
The director also highlighted various training programmes organised through cooperation with JICA and Japanese institutions and NMIMR’s critical role in Ghana’s public health response, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. She expressed deep appreciation for Japan’s sustained support through research grants, fellowships, equipment donations, and technical training that have significantly enhanced the Institute’s capacity.
The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, ABE Toshiko delivers her remarks.
Her Excellency Toshiko Abe commended the Institute’s achievements and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to advancing scientific research and higher education in Ghana. She noted that partnerships like the ones between Japan and NMIMR are essential to strengthening global health security and fostering innovation.
Dr. Bright Adu, Senior Research Fellow, Department of Immunology, NMIMR explains ongoing work at the Sequencing lab to the visitors.
Following the presentation, the delegation was taken on a guided tour of NMIMR’s Advanced Research Centre. The tour provided a firsthand view of the Institute’s cutting-edge laboratories and ongoing research projects, many of which have flourished through longstanding partnerships with Japanese institutions.
Director of NMIMR, Professor Dorothy Yeboah-Manu with Minister Toshiko Abe Japanese Ambassador to Ghana and the JICA Chief Representative.
The visit concluded with an exchange of tokens of appreciation, symbolizing the enduring friendship and mutual respect between Ghana and Japan. NMIMR looks forward to deepening its collaboration with Japanese academic and research institutions in the years to come.