Prof. Abraham Kwabena Anang and Hiromoto Oyama exchanging the signed document.
The Embassy of Japan has signed a $140,000 grant agreement with the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) University of Ghana, for the procurement and installation of an incinerator for proper laboratory waste management.
Funded by the government of Japan under its Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGHSP), the grant would help in the effective management of infectious properties, toxicity, and volume of medical waste generated by the institute.
Counselor and Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan, Hiromoto Oyama said as the staff of NMIMR is facing the risk of the health hazards caused by improper waste disposal, “it is our pleasure to provide protection through the procurement and installation of an incinerator in line with such key policy of Japan.”
He indicated that many other GGHSP projects across the country demonstrated the fruits of a close friendship between the two countries which has lasted for over six years.
He said based on this friendship, the two countries have been collaborating in various areas of development, including the health sector. “Japan’s support to and through the Noguchi Institute over the years is one of such good examples and it makes us proud, especially as we are tackling the challenges of Covid-19 together,” he stated.
The Counselor called on stakeholders to ensure the proper use and maintenance of the incinerator when installed, adding “your friends in Japan expect you to value their gift of goodwill to you”.
NMIMR Director, Prof. Abraham Kwabena Anang, expressed his appreciation to the people of Japan for the project adding that it was of standard and fit for purpose.
He said the project when successful would ensure that waste that is generated from biological, dangerous pathogens among others would be adequately handled to enhance biosafety, bio-security as well as global health security.
He pledged that the Institute would take good care of the incinerator when installed.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri