Ghana and Japan have expressed renewed commitment to expanding cooperation in space science, technology and innovation, with emphasis on leveraging international partnerships to support national development.
The commitment was expressed when the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP), hosted Japanese astronaut and Chief Technology Officer, Asia Pacific, Axiom Space, Dr. Koichi Wakata, to a dinner at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Accra on Tuesday, 15 September 2026.
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The dinner followed a courtesy call on the Minister and formed part of Dr. Wakata’s visit to Ghana from 15 to 19 September 2026.
Welcoming Dr. Wakata, Hon. Ablakwa assured him of the Ministry’s readiness to coordinate and support international partnerships that advance Ghana’s national and strategic objectives.
He emphasised that space exploration was a global undertaking requiring countries, scientists, engineers and institutions to work together, adding that Ghana would continue to strengthen its relations with Japan to create opportunities for such collaboration.
The Minister noted that 2027 would mark the 70th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between Ghana and Japan and recalled Japan’s longstanding contributions to Ghana, particularly in science, research and public health.
He also welcomed Dr. Wakata’s engagement with Ghanaian students, stressing the importance of exposing young people to opportunities in science, technology and innovation and encouraging them to pursue ambitions that may initially appear beyond their reach.
The Chief Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Khadija Iddrisu, underscored the increasing importance of space to national development.
She noted that satellite technologies and data were already supporting areas including communications, agriculture, environmental monitoring, disaster management and national security.
She said Ghana needed to take practical steps to build its capacity to harness these technologies and described Dr. Wakata’s visit as an opportunity for knowledge exchange and for stimulating greater interest in space science, technology and innovation.
Ambassador Iddrisu expressed the hope that the engagement would contribute to new exchanges and partnerships between Ghana and Japan, particularly in areas that could support Ghana’s development objectives.
The Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Hiroshi Yoshimoto, described Dr. Wakata as a distinguished figure in Japan and the global space community, noting that he had undertaken five space flights and spent a cumulative 504 days in space.
He also highlighted Dr. Wakata’s participation in the construction of the International Space Station (ISS) and his achievement as the first Japanese astronaut to serve as Commander of the ISS in 2014.
Ambassador Yoshimoto recalled Japan’s contribution to Ghana’s space journey, particularly the launch of Ghana’s first satellite with Japanese support, and said Dr. Wakata’s visit presented an opportunity to build on that experience.
He expressed Japan’s readiness to deepen collaboration with Ghana in science, technology and space-related fields, while noting the potential for the two countries to complement each other’s strengths.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, highlighted the University’s longstanding partnership with Japan, particularly in research, science and capacity development.
She cited the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and other initiatives at the University as examples of Japan’s sustained contribution to Ghana’s academic and research development.
Professor Amfo said engagement and partnerships remained a key priority under the University’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan and expressed the institution’s readiness to expand collaboration in science, technology and innovation.
She also welcomed Dr. Wakata’s planned interaction with the University community, describing it as an opportunity for students and researchers to learn from his experience.
For his part, Dr. Koichi Wakata recounted his journey into space, explaining that his interest began at the age of five after he witnessed the Apollo 11 Moon landing.
Although becoming an astronaut appeared beyond his reach at the time, he said international collaboration eventually enabled him to work with scientists and engineers from across the world and fly aboard the Space Shuttle, the Russian Soyuz spacecraft and SpaceX Crew Dragon.
Dr. Wakata encouraged young Ghanaians to pursue careers in science, technology and engineering, stressing that international cooperation and supportive frameworks were essential to transforming scientific ideas into practical achievements.
He also highlighted the importance of sustainability in space, including the recycling of resources aboard the ISS and the need to address the growing challenge of space debris to ensure that future generations could safely explore and utilise space.
The event also had in attendance students of the Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC), Legon, winners of the 2026 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) for the ninth time running.
The students had the opportunity to interact with Dr. Wakata and draw inspiration from his experiences in human spaceflight and space exploration.
Dr. Wakata’s visit to Ghana from 15 to 19 September 2026 forms part of engagements aimed at promoting knowledge exchange and exploring opportunities for stronger collaboration between Ghana and Japan in space science, technology and innovation, while further advancing the broader bilateral relationship between the two countries.
