Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito began his first ever official visit to an African country on Sunday, when he arrived in Ghana. He was accompanied by a 30-person delegation with the aim to boost ties between the two nations.
AFP/Kazuhiro Nogi
Naruhito was greeted at Kotoka International Airport by Vice President John Dramani Mahama. The Ashanti tribe welcomed the future Emperor with a dance to traditional drums.
On Monday, the Crown Prince held talks during a luncheon with President John Atta-Mills at the presidential palace in Accra. He also laid a wreath at the mausoleum where the remains of the Ghanaian independence leader Kwame Nkrumah are.
Crown Prince Naruhito praised Ghana for setting the road to independence for many African countries. But he also noted that since being free from colonial powers, sub-Saharan Africa has been plagued with diseases and poverty.
During the luncheon, President Atta-Mills gave Naruhito a replica of Ghana’s Independence Arch.
The next day, the Crown Prince met with Japanese volunteers and told them to maintain their country’s commitment to duty and hard work.
He even visited the Sea International School, the only school in Ghana teaching the Japanese language. There, the students greeted the Naruhito with songs sung in his language.
Finally on Tuesday, Naruhito went to the Dr Hideyo Noguchi laboratory at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital to pay tribute to the Japanese doctor who died in 1928 while researching the causes of malaria in Africa. He also presented an award to those who continue Noguchi’s work.
“I hope from deep in my heart that the medical researchers and professionals who are fighting infectious diseases in Africa will continue putting their efforts into their activities,’’ he said in a speech.
For Wednesday, the Crown Prince will head east to Kenya for another opportunity to strengthen Japanese bonds with that nation.
Naruhito’s wife, Crown Princess Masako did not accompany him to Africa. She is still in recovery from a mental breakdown that happened in 2003.
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