THE Ambassador of Japan to Ghana, Mr Yoshimoto Hiroshi, says Japan will continue to support Ghana’s sustainable economic and social development.
He said the focus would be on infrastructure development, industrial and agricultural development, health and human resource development.
Speaking to The Ghanaian Times in an exclusive interview on September 28 in Accra, Mr Hiroshi hinted that Japan and Ghana would continue to explore ways to deepen their partnership.
He said the Japanese government’s investments in Ghana over the years cut across various areas and different regions, ultimately aimed at improving the lives of Ghanaians.
“In northern Ghana in particular, Japan is implementing cooperation that contributes to improving people’s livelihoods and promoting regional economic development through a more stable electricity supply, better access to healthcare services, and improved basic social services such as education and health facilities,” he added.
Looking ahead, Mr Hiroshi said Japan would continue to consider areas of cooperation where Ghana’s development needs could be matched with Japan’s knowledge, experience and strengths, based on continued dialogue with the government of Ghana.
Mr Hiroshi gave an overview of some health, education and road projects undertaken in Ghana by the Japanese government, some of which had already been completed and put to use, while others were at various stages of completion.
He said the JPY 1.992 billion project for the stabilisation of power supply, aimed at improving electricity stability in Tamale, started in 2026 and would be completed in July 2028.
The Japanese envoy noted that, upon completion, the project would contribute to strengthening socio-economic activities and the foundations of daily life in northern Ghana.
Through the Project for the Improvement of the Healthcare System in the Northern Region, Mr Hiroshi said the Japanese government was supporting the reconstruction and expansion of facilities at the Tamale Central Hospital, as well as the provision of medical equipment. The project, valued at JPY 3.113 billion, would be completed in May 2028.
In addition to Tamale Central Hospital, Mr Hiroshi mentioned that medical equipment required for maternal and child health and emergency care would also be provided to the three district hospitals in Saboba, Bimbilla and Kpandai.
Furthermore, the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana said that under the Inner Ring Road/Smart Traffic Lights project in Kumasi, the major roundabouts at Santasi and Ahodwo on Kumasi’s Inner Ring Road would be converted into signal-controlled, at-grade intersections and fitted with smart traffic signals to improve traffic flow and road safety.
Also, through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGGP), Mr Hiroshi stated that Japan was constructing a new school block with six classrooms, a headteacher’s office, a staff room and storage rooms, an outdoor toilet facility and a borehole. The facility was expected to accommodate 270 pupils upon its completion in December 2026.
On the 540-metre-long Volivo new bridge project, which connects Tema Port with Kulungungu on the border with Burkina Faso, he stated that the procurement process for the construction works had taken longer than initially anticipated due to factors including increased project costs and fiscal circumstances.
In spite of that, he explained that the re-tendering process was currently underway, with the aim of concluding the agreement in early 2027 and commencing construction promptly thereafter.
BY MALIK SULLEMANA
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