By: Love Wilhelmina Abanonave
The Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Ghana Office, Suzuki Momoko has commended the strong trade relations between Ghana and Japan noting that Japan imports cocoa and chocolate from Ghana in significant amounts.
“Japan imports a lot of cocoa and chocolate from Ghana so the trade relationship is very strong’’ she said.
Speaking on GTV’s Breakfast Show on August 22, 2025, on the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) which President John Dramani Mahama is currently attending, she highlighted the importance of collaboration between Africa and Japan in addressing development challenges.
She emphasized that Japan must understand Ghana’s specific challenges in order to provide effective solutions. While acknowledging Japan’s technological capabilities, she noted the importance of collaboration, stating that both countries need to bring together innovative minds to address the challenges.
“Japan needs to know the challenges Ghana is facing to be able to solve the issues together’’, she reiterated.
She noted that employment and entrepreneurial innovation are crucial, which is why JICA has prioritized quality education, job creation through SME development, and, in the health sector, a focus on infectious disease control.
She explained that the agency’s programs aim to equip young people with skills and knowledge to drive innovation and economic growth themselves.
‘’I think what needs to be happening is for the youth to be encouraged to take up opportunities to change their lives themselves’’, she added.
Citing the Japanese concept of “Kaizen,” which means ‘improvement’, she explained that this approach is taught in Japan to encourage them to take ownership of their development and strive for excellence and not to wait others to change their lives for them.
She also encouraged collaboration between African and Japanese innovators to develop solutions for shared challenges.
The agency’s “Ninja Program” according to her supports youth with exceptional ideas, while the agency’s “Idea Challenge” aims to attract investors from Japan to Ghana.
She stressed the need for human exchange between both countries. JICA’s volunteer programs and university scholarships have facilitated people-to-people connections, fostering mutual understanding and cooperation.
Speaking on the similar challenge both countries are facing, she highlighted Japan’s experience in addressing water contamination just as Ghana faces same due to illegal mining. She explained that, through industrialization, Japan has been able to solve the problem so Ghana can learn from that.
She also commended Ghana’s warm hospitality and strong personal connections, highlighting how Ghanaians greet others while inquiring about their families’ well-being. She expressed hope that Japan could embrace similar practices.
The TICAD9 conference emphasizes the importance of investing in Africa’s youth, with a focus on education, healthcare, and job creation. It also aims to foster a partnership that benefits both Africa and Japan, recognizing the continent’s vast potential and the importance of collaboration in addressing global challenges.
