The Prime Minister of Japan, His Excellency Fumio Kishida, as part of a two-day official visit to Ghana visited the Institute on 1st May 2023. This was his first ever visit to Ghana.
H. E Kishida was welcomed by Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana and Prof. Dorothy Yeboah-Manu, Director of the Institute.
Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ghana and Prof. Dorothy
Yeboah-Manu, Director, NMIMR
Prof. Yeboah-Manu, in her welcome remarks, expressed the Institute’s appreciation towards the Government and the People of Japan for their significant contributions and support for the development of the Institute since its establishment in 1979.
She further noted that the contributions and support show Japan’s commitment to continuously see the Institute develop, and looked forward to further collaboration for the development of the Institute.
The Prime Minister also stated that he was proud that the institute had played a major role during the COVID-19 pandemic, saving many lives not only in Ghana but also in West Africa. Prime Minister Kishida also stated that Japan will continue to contribute to combat infectious diseases through working with the institute in order to promote Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“I understand that the Institute contributed not only to Ghana but also the West African region and for that achievement, I express my sincerest gratitude”, H. E Kishida said.
H. E Kishida also used the occasion to express his excitement for being first Japanese Prime Minister to visit Ghana and the Institute.
In her address, Prof. Appiah Amfo expressed her appreciation for the cooperation between the University, the Institute and Japan adding that “we are happy about you being the first Prime Minister to visit this Institute. It shows your commitment to this Institute. The friendship between the two countries have yielded results in the training of high-quality human resource. We are very much grateful”.
The Vice Chancellor also informed H.E Kishida that the University held its first JICA Chair lecture series in March this year, and was positive this was only the beginning of good things to come between the Japan, the University and the Institute.
touring the Institute
Some research fellows of the Institute who had trained in Japan also interacted with the Prime Minister: Dr. Samuel Adjei, Prof. Irene Ayi, Prof. George Armah, Dr. Chantal Agbemabiese and
Prof. NAGAOKA Hikaru who is a member of the Joint Research Center established by Tokyo Medical and Dental University in NMIMR.