On the sidelines of TICAD IX in Yokohama, Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama held high-level bilateral talks with Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, where both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening partnerships across key sectors.
President Mahama has urged Japanese investors to deepen their role in Ghana’s cocoa sector through public-private partnerships, particularly by expanding local processing at the Cocoa Processing Company, as Ghana supplies about 70 percent of Japan’s cocoa imports.
Discussions also advanced on the Volivo Bridge project under the Eastern Corridor initiative, with Prime Minister Ishiba welcoming a technical team to accelerate funding and implementation.
The two leaders highlighted upcoming milestones, including the centenary of Dr. Hideyo Noguchi’s arrival in Ghana, the 50th anniversary of Japan’s Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, and the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties as moments to strengthen relations.
Ghana also reaffirmed its commitment to reforms that boost economic stability, investor confidence, and openness to Japanese investment.
President Mahama hailed Japan’s steadfast friendship and expressed readiness to pursue concrete steps that will enhance job creation, value addition, and improved connectivity for Ghanaians.
By: J.W Quarm
