Sep 03-2025

The Embassy of Ghana in Japan is pleased to report on the productive bilateral meeting held between His Excellency Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, aimed at deepening Ghana–Japan cooperation in priority sectors. Discussions focused on three strategic pillars: Cocoa and Value Addition, Strategic Infrastructure, and People-to-People Exchanges. President Mahama highlighted that Ghana supplies approximately 70% of Japan’s cocoa imports, yet remains largely an exporter of raw beans. He extended an invitation for Japanese private sector investment and a public–private partnership with the Cocoa Processing Company (CPC) to support revamping Ghana’s processing capacity and increasing local value addition. On infrastructure, the President expressed gratitude for Japan’s 2016 financing of JPY 11.239 billion for the Volivo Bridge project across the Volta Lake. He noted the critical role of the bridge in linking agricultural producers in northern Ghana to southern markets, especially for yams, maize, and other staples. He requested additional financial support, particularly grant assistance, to close the remaining 64% procurement gap and accelerate project implementation. The two leaders also acknowledged significant anniversaries: 100 years since Dr. Hideyo Noguchi’s arrival in Ghana, and The 50th anniversary of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) in Ghana in 2027—both symbolic of the long-standing people-to-people ties between the two countries. Japan reaffirmed its willingness to work with Ghana on infrastructure delivery, including solutions to funding gaps, and welcomed continued multilateral cooperation. The meeting also included discussions on Japan’s candidacy for leadership at the UPU International Bureau (Mr. Masahiko Metoki) and mutual support on UN Security Council reform. The Embassy welcomes Japan’s continued commitment to Ghana’s development and looks forward to working with stakeholders in both countries to translate these high-level discussions into jobs, value creation, and enhanced regional connectivity.