By: Kenneth Appiah Bani
President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with Japan, following a high-level meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on the sidelines of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Japan on Wednesday, August 20, 2025.
The discussions centered on advancing cooperation in three key areas cocoa and value addition, strategic infrastructure, and people-to-people exchanges reflecting both countries’ shared vision of sustainable development and mutual prosperity.
At the heart of the talks was Ghana’s cocoa sector, a backbone of the nation’s economy. President Mahama and Prime Minister Ishiba discussed Japan’s support in positioning Ghana not only as a leading producer but also as a global hub for cocoa value addition. The two leaders emphasized the need to scale up processing capacity, technology transfer, and access to advanced markets, ensuring Ghana reaps greater benefits from its world-class cocoa.
The leaders also committed to expanding collaboration in infrastructure development, particularly in transportation, energy, and digital networks. These investments, according to President Mahama, will accelerate Ghana’s development agenda and create a solid foundation for sustainable growth. Japan, recognized for its advanced technology and expertise in infrastructure, expressed readiness to support projects that will enhance connectivity, energy security, and innovation in Ghana.
Strengthening People-to-People Ties
Beyond economics, the two countries pledged to deepen cultural, educational, and skills exchange programs. This initiative aims to strengthen mutual understanding while equipping Ghanaian youth with technical expertise and opportunities in Japan. Both leaders noted that building stronger people-to-people connections is critical to sustaining long-term diplomatic and economic cooperation.
President Mahama described the meeting as a milestone in Ghana–Japan relations, highlighting the importance of diversifying Ghana’s international partnerships. Prime Minister Ishiba, on his part, commended Ghana’s stability and leadership in Africa, assuring continued Japanese support in fostering shared growth and prosperity.
The meeting underscores the growing importance of Africa–Asia cooperation, with Ghana and Japan poised to chart a stronger path of partnership built on innovation, investment, and mutual respect.
