GSU-Japan 10th Anniversary Symposium

On Saturday 8 August 2026, about 80 students, researchers, diplomats and friends of Ghana gathered at the Ochanomizu Christian Center in Tokyo to mark ten years of the Ghana Students' Union, Japan. The day brought together academic research, entrepreneurship and community, the three things that have defined GSU-Japan since its founding.

Showcase research and professional excellence.

Strengthen Ghana–Japan collaboration.

Connect organisations with high-potential international talent.

1. 10:00Registration
2. 11:00Opening prayer
3. 11:05Welcome and introduction of the programme
4. 11:10Welcome address
5. 11:15Keynote video messages
6. 11:25Sponsor introduction & remarks
7. 11:50Academic oral presentations
8. 13:45Coffee break & networking
9. 14:10Business pitch presentations
10. 14:25Judges' panel discussion & Q&A
11. 15:20Awards presentation
12. 15:35Vote of thanks
13. 15:40Closing remarks
14. 15:45Group photograph
15. 16:00Dinner & networking

• Dr. Ayano Kunimitsu

  State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan (video message)

• Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu

  Former Vice-Chancellor, University of Ghana (video message)

• Mr. Christopher E.K. Gaba

  Minister-Counsellor, Embassy of Ghana in Japan

• Mr. Michael Nyaaba Assibi

  Embassy of Ghana in Japan

1. Academic

   Understanding the Awareness-Preparedness Gap in Cybersecurity Among Transition-Age Students

   Paul Teye, Frank Ian, Future University Hakodate

2. Academic

   Optimizing Ghana's Future Power Grid towards 2050: A Multi-Stage Linear Programming Approach

   Reinhard Delali Amo, Yokohama National University

3. Academic

   No-Tillage Management Legacy Effect Regulates Net Carbon Balance and Priming Effect in Andosols from Japan

   Daniel Asiamah Aboagye et al., Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology

4. Academic

   Assessment of Circular Economy Knowledge among Students at Maasai Mara University, Kenya

   Abubakar Asante Suleman, UNU-IAS

5. Academic

   Bridging Workplace Cultures: Collaboration Between African and Japanese People in Japan

   Samilia Allotey, Independent Researcher, Tokyo

6. Academic

   Restoring Connexin 26 Expression Restrains Proliferation and Motility in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines

   Samuel Bamfo Bredu, Akita University

7. Academic

   Geochemistry, Zircon U–Pb Ages and Lu–Hf Isotopes of Metaplutonic Rocks from the Dahomeyide Belt, Ghana

   Fred Temeng Okyere-Siaw et al., Kyushu University / University of Ghana

8. Business pitch

   SmartAgro Ghana: A Circular Bioeconomy Institute for Clean-Energy Irrigation and Green Agro-Industry

   Solomon Selasi Djre, Kyushu University

9. Business pitch

   GeoHarvest: From Data to Decisions for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development

   Daniel Asiamah Aboagye, Tweneboah Kodua Dwamena, Loretta Pearl Poku

10. Business pitch

    Waste-to-Value: Microalgae-Based Biostimulants and Biofertilizers for Sustainable Agriculture

    Daniel Twum-Ampofo, Caroline Awuye, Floret Owusu, Nii Amarquaye Commey, Algryn Bio / University of Yamanashi

Seven researchers from universities across Japan presented work spanning cybersecurity, energy systems, soil science, cancer biology and geology, followed by three business pitches judged by a panel of academics and industry leaders.

Guests from the embassies of Ghana, Namibia, Senegal and Angola joined members, alumni and partners, and the day closed with a group photograph and a Ghanaian dinner.

The celebration also looked ahead to 2027, when Ghana and Japan mark 70 years of diplomatic relations, 50 years since Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers were first sent to Ghana, and 100 years since Dr. Hideyo Noguchi's stay in Ghana.

• Best Academic Presentation

  Samuel Bamfo Bredu

  Akita University

• People's Choice Award

  Samuel Bamfo Bredu

  Akita University

• Best Business Pitch

  Daniel Twum-Ampofo

  University of Yamanashi

• Mr. Nana Yaw Pop

  Patron

  Patron, GSU-Japan

• Dr. Floret Maame Owusu

  President, GSU-Japan (2026–2027)

  Graduate Student, Institute of Science Tokyo

• Samuel Papa Kwesi Owusu

  Organizing Secretary, GSU-Japan (2026–2027)

  Graduate Student, Kyushu University

• Thomas Kwasi Awuni

  Vice President, GSU-Japan (2026–2027)

  Graduate Student, Nagasaki University

• Portia Boateng

  Financial Secretary, GSU-Japan (2026–2027)

  Graduate Student, Hiroshima University

• Caroline Awuye

  Immediate Past President (2025–2026)

  GSU Alumna, Hiroshima University

• Princess Martey

  Symposium Chairperson

  Graduate Student, Nagasaki University

• Dr. Nii Amarquaye Commey

  Committee Member

  International Programmes Coordinator, University of Yamanashi

• Eugenia Elikem Abena Kumaga

  Committee Member

  Graduate Student, University of Tsukuba

• Emmanuel Yaw Owusu Akoto

  Committee Member

  Graduate Student, University of Tsukuba

• Dr. Anna Batsa

  Committee Member

  Independent Researcher and Teacher

• Samilia Allotey

  Committee Member

  Educator, Tokyo

• Marfoah Tenkorang

  Committee Member

  Educator, Tokyo

• Kwaku Nketiah

  Creative Director

  JAfriQ and Bayside

• Hyunseo Chu

  Committee Member

  Graduate Student, Institute of Science Tokyo

• Nanami Jikuya

  Committee Member

  Graduate Student, Institute of Science Tokyo

• Reinhard Delali Amo

  Committee Member

  Graduate Student, Yokohama National University

• Emmanuel Larbi

  Creative Director

  Graduate Student, International Christian University