Japan’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ayano Kunimitsu, who led the delegation, explained that this was due to the President’s proactive approach to attracting foreign direct investment and positioning the country as a strategic economic hub in West Africa.

“In recent years, Japanese companies have been increasingly interested in Ghana, due in part to its potential as a logistics hub in West Africa

 Japanese companies are also placing their hopes in the strong leadership of President Mahama, who is proactive in attracting foreign investment,” she said.

Ms Kunimitsu was speaking at a Japan–Ghana Business Networking Reception held in Accra last Thursday. 

Event

The event brought together Japanese and Ghanaian businesses as part of efforts to deepen bilateral economic relations and promote mutually beneficial partnerships.

About 70 Ghanaian companies from sectors, including finance, infrastructure and manufacturing, participated in the networking event, which is expected to catalyse new business linkages and further expand Japanese investments across the country.

The minister explained that the delegation was a Joint Public-Private Mission comprising over 50 participants from government institutions and more than 30 Japanese private companies operating across sectors such as finance and capital, infrastructure and core industries, manufacturing and technology, commercial and professional services, as well as public, multilateral and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

She said the mission was leveraging momentum from the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) process, particularly the outcomes of TICAD discussions, bilateral agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) aimed at boosting trade and investment between Japan and Africa.

Ms Kunimitsu reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to working closely with the government to maximise the vast economic potential between the two countries, adding that public-private partnerships had remained central to Japan’s engagement with Africa since TICAD IV in 2008.

Potential

The Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, Hiroshi Yoshimoto, said the spirit of collaboration between the two nations was a testament to the potential that lay in the partnership.

He was equally optimistic that the interactions and exchanges that took place would lead to promising opportunities for future business ventures.

“Let us carry forward the insights gained during this reception, as they will undoubtedly serve as valuable guidance in our ongoing efforts to strengthen trade and investment between Japan and Ghana,” Mr Yoshimoto said.