Ghana, Japan strengthen cooperation on cocoa, infrastructure sector

President John Dramani Mahama has met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to advance cooperation between Ghana and Japan in three key areas: cocoa and value addition, strategic infrastructure, and people-to-people ties.

During the discussions, President Mahama highlighted Ghana’s role as a major cocoa supplier, providing about 70 percent of Japan’s cocoa imports.

He invited Japanese investment and proposed a public-private partnership with the Cocoa Processing Company to modernise the plant and expand processing within Ghana. These initiatives are expected to increase local value addition and create jobs for Ghanaians, boosting the cocoa sector and supporting rural economies.

Infrastructure development was another major focus, particularly the Volivo Bridge over the Volta Lake. President Mahama acknowledged Japan’s support of JPY 11.239 billion, signed in 2016, and reiterated Ghana’s request for additional funding—especially grants—to close the remaining 64 percent procurement gap. The bridge is vital for transporting agricultural produce such as yams, maize, and other crops from northern Ghana to southern markets, improving trade, reducing transportation costs, and enhancing market access for farmers.

The meeting also celebrated historical and cultural milestones in the Ghana–Japan partnership. President Mahama noted the centenary of Dr. Hideyo Noguchi’s arrival in Ghana and the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) in 2027, highlighting the long-standing friendship and collaboration between the two nations.

Japan reaffirmed its commitment to working with Ghana on infrastructure projects and expediting solutions for funding gaps. Both sides agreed on the importance of ensuring that investments translate into tangible benefits for the Ghanaian people.

President Mahama expressed gratitude for Japan’s continued friendship and emphasised the need for concrete steps that deliver jobs, strengthen local value addition, and improve connectivity across the country. The meeting reinforces Ghana’s determination to strengthen bilateral relations with Japan while ensuring that strategic projects and investments benefit communities and contribute to sustainable economic growth.