Foreign Minister and North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has highlighted what he describes as groundbreaking gains from President John Dramani Mahama’s working visit to Japan and participation in the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9).
In a post on Facebook, Ablakwa outlined several key outcomes of the visit, which he said would have a far-reaching impact on Ghana’s infrastructure, agriculture, industrialization, and technological advancement.
According to him, one of the most significant breakthroughs is the revival of the long-stalled Volivo to Dorfor Adidome Bridge project across the Volta River, with both Ghana and Japan committing to provide additional funding to ensure its immediate progress. He added that the Kumasi inner-city ring road project is also set to commence.
The MP further disclosed that Ghana signed a new agreement with Toyota to expand its operations in the country and make Ghana its hub for West Africa. In addition, a “groundbreaking space agreement” was concluded to leverage space science for national development.
Touching on human capital, Ablakwa revealed that Ghana is set to benefit from the training of about 300,000 youth in areas such as artificial intelligence, modern agriculture, green transition, technology start-ups, and biotechnology.
He also mentioned a special cooperation framework designed to boost rice production through the latest scientific research, aimed at attaining food security.
On financing, the North Tongu legislator stated that Ghana has secured US$100 million for new agricultural projects and arranged a strategic industrialization partnership with Japan.
He noted that Japan is considering a dedicated short-term investment of US$1.5 billion in Africa, with Ghana positioned to benefit.
Ablakwa expressed pride in President Mahama’s leadership at TICAD, noting that it was a “really proud moment” to hear the President articulate his bold vision for resetting and transforming Ghana while chairing two plenary sessions.
He concluded that Ghana’s relations with Japan have reached a new height, 98 years after the Japanese scientist Dr. Hideyo Noguchi lost his life in Ghana while conducting research on yellow fever. “Ghana is back on the global stage to inspire and strike strategic partnerships for our collective progress. Ghana-Japan relations couldn’t be better,” he wrote.
