Jun 15-2026

The Ghana Mission in Tokyo hosted a working meeting with representatives of Axelspace Corporation and Cross U on strengthening collaboration with the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI). The engagement forms part of ongoing efforts to deepen Ghana–Japan cooperation in science, technology, and innovation. The meeting brought together the Ambassador of Ghana to Japan, Her Excellency Mrs. Genevieve Edna Apaloo; the Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Francis Doe; and the Minister Counsellor (Trade), Mr. Isaac Yankson. The Japanese delegation included Mr. Masafumi Yonazu and Ms. Saki Kiki Miyazaki of Cross U, as well as Mr. Yuya Nakamura and Mr. Kunal Raina of Axelspace. Discussions focused on practical arrangements to enhance the operational capacity of GSSTI and to advance a structured roadmap for developing a reliable and sustainable space science sector in Ghana. The companies reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ghana’s efforts to harness satellite data for national development, particularly in critical sectors of the economy. The meeting also provided an opportunity to follow up on the Ghana–Japan Trade Mission Workshop held in Ghana on 16th January 2026. The workshop convened over forty participants, including officials from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, academia, the forestry sector, and representatives of the Japanese Embassy in Ghana. Discussions at the workshop centred on the application of space-based data for forest monitoring and mapping, disaster management, mining oversight, and agricultural planning. From the private sector perspective, Mr. Yuya Nakamura underscored that priority areas for collaboration include capacity building and the identification of local IT and technology partners capable of transforming satellite data into practical and market-ready solutions. He emphasised that building local expertise would be central to ensuring long-term sustainability. In her remarks, Ambassador Genevieve Edna Apaloo highlighted the strategic importance of positioning GSSTI as a hub for the development of a domestic space data ecosystem. She noted that GSSTI’s existing collaboration at the African Union level, including private sector participation, presents a significant advantage for scaling partnerships and expanding regional impact. The representatives of Axelspace and Cross U further informed the Mission that they intend to engage with a Japanese government official by the end of February to explore potential support for satellite development programmes. The engagement is expected to complement Ghana’s broader agenda of leveraging science and innovation to drive economic transformation. The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of Ghana and Japan to advancing cooperation in emerging technologies and to translating technical partnerships into tangible development outcomes.