President Mahama Engages in Strategic Bilateral Talks with Japanese Prime Minister

Yokohama: President John Dramani Mahama has engaged in bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to enhance Ghana-Japan cooperation in three significant areas: cocoa and value addition, strategic infrastructure, and people-to-people ties. The discussions were part of President Mahama's visit to Japan for the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), held in Yokohama, Japan, from August 20-22, 2025.According to Ghana News Agency, a statement from Ghana's Presidency emphasized that Ghana, which supplies about 70 percent of Japan's cocoa imports, is seeking Japanese investment and a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with the Cocoa Processing Company to revitalize the plant and enhance processing capabilities within Ghana. The bilateral talks also covered infrastructure projects, including the Volivo Bridge over the Volta Lake, with both leaders expressing gratitude for Japan's JPY 11.239 billion support, initially signed in 2016.President Mahama highlighted Ghana's need for additional funding, particularly grants, to address the 64 percent procurement gap and expedite the bridge project. This infrastructure is crucial for transporting yams, maize, and other produce from northern Ghana to southern markets. The discussions also acknowledged the centenary of Dr. Hideyo Noguchi's arrival in Ghana and the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) in 2027, marking significant milestones in the Ghana-Japan partnership.Japan's commitment to collaborating on infrastructure and addressing funding challenges was reaffirmed. The talks further explored multilateral cooperation, including support for Japan's candidate, Masahiko Metoki, for Director General of the UPU International Bureau, as well as Japan's stance on UN Security Council reform. President Mahama expressed appreciation for Japan's ongoing friendship and anticipated concrete steps that would create jobs, enhance value addition, and improve connectivity for Ghanaians.