Professor Lloyd Amoah, Director of the Centre for Asian Studies at the University of Ghana, has emphasized the importance of structured education in national development.

He noted that Japan's strategic approach to education serves as a model for Ghana, particularly in fostering discipline and orderliness.

“What we see here is a more strategic approach that Japan is doing in terms of education…the Japanese are showing the way and it shows how orderly they are because if you are not orderly, you can’t develop. Look at galamsey, it is madness.

“How can you turn against your own natural resources and destroy everything? So those things we have lost, I think we have to reinforce in our education. The partnership with Japan should help to build our educational system,” Professor Amoah stated.

Professor Amoah was speaking during an event hosted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Ghana, aimed at fostering dialogue between students from the University of Tokyo and the University of Ghana, enhancing their understanding of the respective educational systems and cultural values on March 20, 2025.

A key feature of the event was the screening of the documentary film "The Making of a Japanese," which showcases the daily life of elementary school students in Japan. Directed by British-Japanese filmmaker Ema Ryan Yamazaki, the documentary explores Japan’s primary education system, particularly its emphasis on punctuality, responsibility, and communal values.

Yoshimoto Hiroshi, the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, highlighted Japan's longstanding relationship with Ghana and ongoing discussions with the Ministry of Education for potential collaborations.

“We have a long-standing relationship between Japan and Ghana …we are having a discussion with the Ministry of Education to have some partnership with the education sector in terms of curriculum and other activities,” Ambassador Hiroshi said.

Suzuki Momoko, Chief Representative of JICA Ghana, stressed the need for students to develop soft skills and understand their role in society.

“For children to grow up and get more opportunities, I think they need some soft skills to help them in the future. And also, they need to understand their position in society and how they can contribute,” Momoko noted.

Takimoto Kohei, Senior Representative of JICA Ghana, expressed appreciation to the Embassy of Japan for facilitating the film screening and supporting the initiative.

"Today's event is made possible with the invaluable support of the Japanese Embassy in Ghana. Their dedication has been instrumental in bringing us together and ensuring this initiative serves as a meaningful platform for dialogue and learning," Takimoto remarked.

The exchange event provided an opportunity for students from both countries to discuss the similarities and differences between Japan’s and Ghana’s education systems.

It was attended by key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, and the Ghana Education Service, along with faculty members and students from both universities.

JICA Ghana has been working closely with the Centre for Asian Studies since 2023 to promote knowledge exchange between Japan and Ghana.

AM/KA

Meanwhile, catch the first in the series of our special episodes on Forgotten Forts on People and Places on GhanaWeb TV below. This episode focuses on Fort Amsterdam at Abandze: