Jun 10-2025

On Tuesday, 3rd June 2025, the Government of Japan reaffirmed its commitment to finance the construction of the Volivo Bridge over the Volta Lake, a landmark component of Ghana’s Eastern Corridor road project. The announcement came during a high-level meeting at Jubilee House between President John Dramani Mahama and Ms. Miyazaki Katsura, Senior Executive Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The renewed assurance follows sustained behind-the-scenes diplomatic engagement led by the Ambassador of Ghana to Japan, whose proactive efforts ensured that the Volivo Bridge remained a central focus of Ghana-Japan development cooperation. The project is a key priority under President Mahama’s $10 billion “Big Push” infrastructure agenda, outlined in the 2025 national budget. During the meeting, Ms. Katsura expressed JICA’s readiness to move forward, announcing that a technical team would soon be deployed to Ghana to assess funding requirements and implementation strategies. She welcomed the inclusion of the Volivo Bridge under Ghana’s Big Push initiative and reiterated Japan’s confidence in Ghana as a committed development partner. President Mahama, in response, acknowledged Japan’s consistent support and emphasized the bridge’s transformative impact on national connectivity. He noted its role in boosting trade, reducing travel time, and linking southern and northern Ghana more effectively. As a further demonstration of deepening ties, Ms. Katsura extended a formal invitation to President Mahama to attend the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), scheduled for August 2025. President Mahama accepted the invitation, describing it as a strategic platform to advance development financing discussions with Japan and other global partners. When completed, the Volivo Bridge will be one of the longest in Ghana’s history and a critical enabler of economic growth along the Eastern Corridor. The pivotal role played by the Ambassador of Ghana to Japan in steering discussions and aligning both governments underscores the enduring value of effective diplomacy.