Japanese delegation on study tour in Ghana
A six-member Japanese Study Group made up of four teachers, a Joyo newspaper reporter and a staff of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Tsukuba are on a nine-day Educational study tour of Ghana.
A statement issued by JICA, Ghana, in Accra on Wednesday said, JICA annually invites Japanese teachers interested in education on international development and cooperation to visit developing countries.
The invitation is to create an opportunity for Japanese teachers to understand challenges facing developing countries, the dynamics of international development, JICA activities and to deepen the cordial relationship between Japan and developing countries.
They are expected to learn more about developing countries and have first-hand knowledge of current situations, so that they can impart such knowledge and understanding on their students in Japan.
The Japanese Study Group is in Ghana for nine days to acquaint themselves with the prevalent educational policies and practices in Ghana, understand issues surrounding child education, appreciate the Ghanaian culture and hospitality and generally, familiarise with JICA activities in different parts of Ghana.
They have already visited many Ghanaian schools, especially those in the hinterlands and toured some of Ghana’s attractive and historical tourist centres.
At the Zuta Primary School in Akatsi, Volta Region, though, students were on vacation, 100 students came to school to meet the Japanese teachers.
Students took the opportunity to learn few science experiments conducted using locally-made materials; such as the ‘Light’, ‘Sound’ and ‘Jumping rope’ experiments.
The group visited the Accra Technical Training Centre, (ATTC) to understand issues related to child labour, the CRADA, a non-governmental organisation, creating awareness and advocating for child education and child labour, especially in rural areas.
The group also visited the Noguchi Memorial Institute at the University of Ghana, the Museum for Hideyo Noguchi at the Korle-Bu Hospital, Tema Port and Fishing Harbour, Cocoa Processing Company, Kakum National Park, Cape Coast Castle and a few JICA project sites, to learn about Ghana’s rich historical heritage and also an insight into Japanese cooperation in Ghana.
According to the group, the study tour was an eye-opening and unique experience because it availed them the chance of learning about Ghana at first-hand and not by what is erroneously written, believed or said by many Asians, who have not visited the country.
One of the Japanese teachers said, “I have had a great opportunity to teach Ghanaian students and I have learnt how Ghanaian teachers teach. I had a stereotype that Ghana is very poor, but what I have seen here is amazing. I have taken some pictures and I can teach my students in Japan about Ghana. The pictures will also help them understand Ghana better”.
Ghanaian students and teachers appreciated the Japanese group and thanked them for the new knowledge they imparted on them.
They encouraged them to propagate the good news about Ghana when they return to Japan.
Source: GNA