Foreign Affairs Minister and North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has hailed President John Dramani Mahama’s recent working visit to Japan as a pivotal step forward in Ghana’s development agenda. During the visit, the President participated in the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), where Ghana secured a number of high-impact agreements across critical sectors.
In a statement shared on social media, Ablakwa described the visit as a milestone in Ghana-Japan relations, citing transformative deals that span infrastructure, agriculture, technology, industrialization, and human capital development.
One of the key outcomes of the visit is the renewed commitment to the Volivo to Dorfor Adidome Bridge project over the Volta River, a long-stalled infrastructure initiative that will now move forward with funding commitments from both countries. Construction on the Kumasi Inner-City Ring Road is also set to begin.
Another major development is a new agreement with Toyota, which will see the automobile giant expand its operations and establish Ghana as its main hub for the West African region. Ghana also entered into a space science partnership with Japan, leveraging advanced space technology to support national development strategies.
On the human capital front, Ghana secured a training initiative that will benefit 300,000 young people, equipping them with skills in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, green technologies, modern agriculture, and tech entrepreneurship. Additionally, a new cooperation framework will boost rice production through scientific innovation, contributing to national food security.
Financially, Ghana locked in US$100 million in funding to support agriculture and industrialization efforts. Japan is also weighing a broader US$1.5 billion short-term investment in Africa, from which Ghana is expected to be a key beneficiary.
Ablakwa praised President Mahama's leadership at TICAD 9, where he chaired two plenary sessions and presented an ambitious vision for Ghana’s future. He also referenced the historical ties between Ghana and Japan, recalling the death of Japanese scientist Dr. Hideyo Noguchi in Ghana nearly a century ago while conducting yellow fever research.
“Ghana is back on the global stage — inspiring, engaging, and forging meaningful partnerships for shared prosperity,” Ablakwa concluded.
Source: MyNewsGh.com
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