Ghana and Japan have committed to forging strong partnerships to assist each other in developing several priority areas of both countries.

This is evident in the Government of Ghana’s desire to conclude negotiations with the Japanese side on the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), which has been pending since April 2014, by resolving all outstanding issues. The agreement when finally signed will help to deepen trade and investment cooperation with Japan.

This was made known by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, when the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Himeno Tsutomu, paid a working visit to the Ministry.

Madam Ayorkor Botchwey was hopeful that “the commencement of trading under AfCFTA should encourage Japanese investors to step up their investment engagement in Ghana, particularly, in the area of Agriculture and Agro-processing, Education, Tourism, Health, Energy, Petrochemical Industry, Infrastructure Development, Manufacturing and Trade and ultimately, use Ghana as a springboard to access the continental market size of 1.2 billion people”.

She Stressed Ghana’s willingness to continue working closely with Japan in order to tackle threats to peace and security in the sub-region, Africa and around the globe. In this regard, the Foreign Affairs Minister Commend Japan’s support extended to the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Centre.

Madam Ayorkor Botchwey Welcomed preparations being made by Japan towards ensuring a successful 8th Tokyo International Conference on Africa’s Development (TICAD 8), which is scheduled to be held in Tunisia in 2022, and Commended the African Union Commission on its regular consultations through the Permanent Representatives Committee as well as the Tokyo Africa Ambassadors Club (TAC) on the priority issues for TICAD 8.

For his part, the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Himeno Tsutomu, expressed his country’s readiness to assist Ghana in various sectors to grow her economy for the benefit of all.