Ghana University launches Japanese language course to deepen cultural ties

The University of Ghana has launched a four-week introductory Japanese language course, opening up opportunities for students and members of the public to explore Japan’s language, culture and traditions.

The programme, being offered through the Japan Centre Project at the university, aims to strengthen educational and cultural ties between Ghana and Japan while giving learners a foundation in the Japanese language.

Participants will learn the Hiragana and Katakana writing systems, common greetings and simple sentences, alongside Japanese cultural practices and etiquette.

Japan’s Ambassador to Ghana, Yoshimoto Hiroshi said the course was open to both University of Ghana students and members of the wider public interested in learning the language.

Hiroshi said participants would pay only a registration fee with tuition provided free of charge.

The ambassador said the centre planned to introduce courses at different proficiency levels, allowing learners to build on their initial training and develop more advanced language skills.

Beyond language instruction, the initiative seeks to deepen relations between the two countries through sustained academic collaboration, cultural exchange and research.

Hiroshi said the centre would promote research on contemporary Japan through lectures by Japanese scholars and joint research projects. It also plans to connect students with Japanese companies and partner organisations through internships, seminars and other collaborative activities.

The Japan Centre Project is receiving support from the Nippon Foundation for an initial five-year period covering 2026 to 2030.

The centre serves as a platform for academic, research and cultural exchanges between Ghana and Japan, with links to institutions such as the University of Ghana’s Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER).

Its outreach activities have also brought prominent figures to the university, including veteran Japanese astronaut and Axiom Space Chief Technology Officer for Asia-Pacific, Dr Koichi Wakata, who has engaged with the centre as part of its science and space exploration initiatives.

The launch also reflects the University of Ghana’s broader efforts, under the leadership of Prof. Felix Ankomah Asante, to expand cooperation with Japanese academic institutions, including the University of Tsukuba, Tokyo Metropolitan University and the Institute of Science Tokyo.

The university is also pursuing engagement with Japanese government bodies, including the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Through language learning, research and industry partnerships, the initiative aims to give participants a deeper understanding of Japan while creating new avenues for educational and professional collaboration between the two countries.