Ghana’s Ministry of Education and Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) have signed a bilateral cooperation agreement to significantly deepen educational collaboration between the two nations.

This agreement aims to advance inclusive and quality education, with emphasis on fostering sustainable development and equipping Ghanaian youth with essential digital skills.

The new partnership outlines several key objectives including the building of institutional capacity through teacher training and joint curriculum development, supporting green skills development in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to prepare youth for emerging sustainable industries and expanding Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and digital innovation initiatives to foster problem-solving and environmental consciousness.

According to the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, the partnership will also promote student exchange and joint tertiary education research collaboration to deepen understanding of global sustainability challenges and the provision of comprehensive coding courses, designed to develop essential digital skills for Ghanaian students and further promote problem-solving capabilities.

Minister Iddrisu expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan and MEXT for their steadfast friendship, technical support, and shared vision. He emphasised that this partnership transcends mere bilateral cooperation.

He added further that this collaboration is strategic, timely, and transformative as Ghana implements its Education Strategic Plan (ESP 2018-2030) and works towards a knowledge-based economy.

He reaffirmed Ghana’s strong commitment to the successful implementation of the collaboration, expressing confidence that the shared vision, mutual learning, and structured cooperation will yield tangible results that benefit both nations and contribute meaningfully to global educational progress.

Japan’s leadership in ESD was prominently highlighted, recognising its role as the headquarters of the global ESD initiative and its consistent efforts in integrating sustainability values into education.

The UNESCO Education For Sustainable Development (ESD) Centre in Okayama and Japan’s consistent hosting of World Conferences on ESD were cited as testaments to their commitment to fostering knowledge, values, and behaviours essential for a just and sustainable society.

Japan’s ongoing support through initiatives such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Project for Improving the Quality of Primary Education through Teacher Development, and the Sakura Science Exchange Program continue to significantly transform education in Ghana.