President John Mahama engages Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to strengthen Ghana–Japan cooperation in cocoa, infrastructure, and people-to-people ties at TICAD 2025

President John Dramani Mahama has held bilateral discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba aimed at advancing cooperation between Ghana and Japan in cocoa and value addition, strategic infrastructure, and people-to-people ties. The talks took place as part of President Mahama’s visit to Japan for the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), held in Yokohama from August 20–22, 2025.

According to a statement from Ghana’s Presidency, Ghana supplies approximately 70 per cent of Japan’s cocoa imports, prompting the President to invite Japanese investment and a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with the Cocoa Processing Company to modernise the plant and deepen cocoa processing within the country.

Infrastructure collaboration also featured prominently, with both leaders discussing the Volivo Bridge over Volta Lake. They acknowledged Japan’s prior support of JPY 11.239 billion, signed in 2016, and President Mahama reiterated Ghana’s request for additional funding—particularly grants—to close the remaining 64 per cent procurement gap, expediting the delivery of this critical link that facilitates transport of yams, maize, and other produce from northern to southern markets.

The meeting also celebrated historical milestones in Ghana–Japan relations, noting the centenary of Dr. Hideyo Noguchi’s arrival in Ghana and the 50th anniversary of the Japanese Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) in 2027. Japan reaffirmed its commitment to work with Ghana on infrastructure projects and to expedite solutions to funding gaps.

Multilateral cooperation formed part of the discussions, including support for Japan’s candidate, Masahiko Metoki, for Director General of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) International Bureau, and Japan’s stance on United Nations Security Council reform.

Expressing optimism, President Mahama stated, “I am grateful for Japan’s continued friendship and look forward to concrete next steps that deliver jobs, value addition, and connectivity for Ghanaians,” underscoring the ongoing partnership’s potential to boost economic development and bilateral ties.