President John Dramani Mahama has met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to advance cooperation between Ghana and Japan in three key areas: cocoa and value addition, strategic infrastructure, and people-to-people ties. The meeting highlighted the strong partnership between the two nations, with Ghana supplying about 70% of Japan’s cocoa imports.
During the meeting, President Mahama invited Japanese investment and proposed a public-private partnership with the Cocoa Processing Company to revamp the plant and deepen cocoa processing in Ghana. The two leaders also discussed the Volta Lake bridge project, for which Japan provided JPY 11.239 billion in support in 2016. Ghana has requested additional funding, particularly grants, to cover the remaining 64% procurement gap and expedite the project’s completion.
The meeting also commemorated significant milestones in Ghana-Japan relations, including the centenary of Dr. Hideyo Noguchi’s arrival in Ghana and the 50th anniversary of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) in 2027. Japan has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with Ghana on infrastructure development and finding solutions to funding gaps.
Furthermore, the two leaders discussed multilateral cooperation, including Ghana’s support for Japan’s candidate, Masahiko Metoki, for Director General of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) International Bureau, and Japan’s positions on UN Security Council reform. President Mahama expressed gratitude for Japan’s continued friendship and looks forward to concrete outcomes that will deliver jobs, value addition, and connectivity for Ghanaians.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
