The Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, HE Mochizuki Hisanobu, has paid a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor of University of Cape Coast, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong.

The two held discussions on strengthening collaborations between UCC and universities in Japan as well as collaborative partnerships in the areas of research and long- term scholarships for staff and students of UCC.

HE Mochizuki Hisanobu highlighted the benefits UCC had enjoyed from Sasakawa Foundation and further restated his country’s commitment to enhancing its cooperation with the University.

"Sasakawa is a powerful Foundation in Japan and has been supporting UCC and we (the Government of Japan) are also determined to support you (UCC) and strengthen our cordial relations" said HE Mochizuki, who began his duty tour in Ghana in 2021.

He expressed his happiness at visiting UCC and thanked Prof. Boampong for the warm reception.

For his part, the Vice-chancellor hailed the Japanese government for supporting UCC through the provision of equipment and award of scholarships to faculty and students. 

"Through the establishment of this University, the Japanese government has been helpful. When we came to UCC, most of the equipment that we were using through UNESCO were obtained from Japan" he recalled.  "Besides that, the Japanese government has given scholarships for many people to pursue further studies in Japan of which I am one of the products" he added.

A group photo of all participants in the meeting

Prof. Boampong, who obtained a PhD in Tropical Medicine from Tokyo Women's Medical University in Japan, told the Ambassador that plans were afoot for UCC to establish a Biomedical and Clinical Research Centre and passionately appealed to the Embassy to broaden the base in medical research in Ghana.

" ...if you can also extend the partnership  you have  with the University of Ghana  also with us to begin our new research centre so that it can link up with the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research," he implored.

The meeting saw in attendance the Registrar of UCC, Mr. Jeff Teye Emmanuel Onyame; Dean of the Office of International Relations, Prof. Kwaku Boakye; the Provost of the College of Humanities and Legal Studies, Prof. Kwame Osei Kwarteng; the Director of the Directorate of Research Innovation and Consultancy, Prof. David Teye Doku; his deputy, Prof. Dorcas Obiri Yeboah and the Director of Internal Audit-UCC, Mr. Emmanuel Owusu.

In attendance from the Japanese Ambassador's accompanying delegation were the first Secretary, Katsumura Ahitisa; Japanese Grants Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project, Mr. Obeng David Aboagye, and Information, and cultural Assistant, Mr. Stanislaus Acquah.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC