By Benjamin Nii Nai,Henrietta Afful
Copyright gbcghanaonline
By: Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
A 50-member high-powered Japanese business delegation is scheduled to visit Ghana in January 2026 to explore opportunities in trade, investment, and industrial cooperation.
The announcement was made by the First Secretary and Head of Economic and Development Cooperation at the Japanese Embassy in Ghana, Junko Masuda, during a preparatory meeting in Accra on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
The mission follows Ghana’s participation in the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Japan earlier this year, where President John Dramani Mahama engaged with Japanese officials and investors on Ghana’s economic transformation agenda.
Japan has long been a strategic partner for Ghana in areas such as energy, health, and education, with ongoing projects supported through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The upcoming visit seeks to build on this foundation and expand into new areas of collaboration.
The delegation is expected to take part in a Ghana–Japan Business and Investment Forum and hold sectoral meetings with government officials, private sector players, and industry leaders. The focus sectors include:
Trade and Agribusiness – to leverage Ghana’s export potential in cocoa, cashew, and horticulture.
Transportation and Logistics – to strengthen infrastructure that connects Ghana to regional markets.
Energy – with particular interest in renewable energy and technology transfer.
Communications and ICT – to tap into Ghana’s growing digital economy.
The Japanese businesses will also explore joint ventures, public-private partnerships (PPPs), and direct investment opportunities aimed at creating sustainable jobs in Ghana.
According to Mad. Masuda, the delegation’s visit demonstrates Japan’s long-term commitment to deepening bilateral ties. “This mission is not only about business transactions but also about building durable partnerships that benefit both Japan and Ghana,” she said.
Ghana and Japan currently enjoy cordial relations, with Japan ranking among Ghana’s top development partners in Asia. Bilateral trade between the two countries has grown steadily, particularly in machinery, electronics, and processed foods.
At the preparatory meeting, Mr. Noah Tumfo, Chief Director of the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, speaking on behalf of the Minister, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, described the visit as “timely and appropriate”.
He said the Ministry and its agencies are prepared to provide the necessary support to ensure fruitful engagements with the delegation. “Our doors are open to facilitate business-to-business interactions, joint investment projects, and economic diplomacy that will deliver tangible benefits to our people,” Mr. Tumfo assured.
The visit is expected to pave the way for Japanese investments in Ghana’s industrial transformation agenda, in line with government’s priorities under the Ghana Beyond Aid framework. If successful, the mission could unlock hundreds of millions of dollars in investments and open new chapters in Ghana–Japan economic cooperation.
