The Chief Director of the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Mr. Noah Tumfo, has received a Japanese business delegation, led by the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Hiroshi Yoshimoto, ahead of the Ghana–Japan Business and Investment Forum scheduled for next week.
The courtesy call by the Ambassador forms part of preparatory engagements toward the expected arrival of a 40-member Japanese business delegation next Wednesday, 14th to Friday, 16th January 2026.
The meeting, held on Wednesday, January 7, 2025, at the Ministry in Accra, focused on assessing Ghana’s level of readiness for the high-level delegation. Discussions also reviewed key areas of cooperation and the institutional arrangements required to ensure a successful forum and productive engagements during the visit.
On behalf of the Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Mr. Noah Tumfo received the envoy, expressing his gratitude and assuring them of the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate with their delegation for a smooth visit.
He described the upcoming visit by the Japanese delegation as timely and appropriate. He added that the Ministry and its Agencies stand ready to work with the Japanese embassy in Ghana to facilitate a smooth investment partnership while fostering economic diplomacy.
“Our doors are open to facilitate business-to-business interactions, joint investment projects, and economic diplomacy that will deliver tangible benefits to our people.”
Mr. Noah Tumfo
The bilateral trade and investment engagements will focus on deepening economic relations between Ghana and Japan and exploring new investment and partnership opportunities.
Earlier Preparatory Engagements
Next week’s visit was announced in September 2025 by the First Secretary, Head of Economic and Development Cooperation, Madam Junko Masuda, of the Japanese embassy in Ghana, following the recent participation of His Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama, at the TICAD 9 conference in Tokyo Japan.
The delegation plans to hold a forum and engage with the Ghanaian government and the private sector representatives. Key sectors for potential investment include agribusiness, transportation, and energy. Ghanaian officials anticipate the visit will strengthen economic ties and lead to new partnerships.
Madam Masuda revealed that “this mission is not only about business transactions but also about building durable partnerships that benefit both Japan and Ghana.”
A 50-member Japanese business delegation was earlier scheduled to visit Ghana this month to explore trade and investment opportunities.
Japanese Envoy’s Other Engagements
Beyond the Business and Investment Forum, the Japanese delegation is expected to participate in bilateral meetings with key sectors of the Ghanaian economy, including trade, agribusiness, transportation, energy, logistics, and communications.
These sector engagements aim to leverage Ghana’s export potential in cocoa, cashew, and horticulture, as well as strengthen the infrastructure that connects Ghana to regional markets. Japan will also engage with its interest in renewable energy and technology transfer, as well as tap into Ghana’s growing digital economy.
The visit also aimed at deepening the Ghana-Japan bilateral relations and cooperation while creating jobs and opportunities for growth.
The visit is expected open more opportunities for Japanese investments in Ghana’s industrial transformation agenda, in line with the government’s priorities under the Ghana Beyond Aid framework. The success of this mission could unlock hundreds of millions of dollars in investments and open new chapters in the Ghana–Japan economic cooperation.
Ghana-Japan Partnership
Japan has long been a strategic partner for Ghana in areas such as energy, health, and education, with ongoing projects supported through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The upcoming visit seeks to build on this foundation and expand into new areas of collaboration.
Ghana and Japan currently enjoy cordial relations, with Japan ranking among Ghana’s top development partners in Asia. Bilateral trade between the two countries has grown steadily, particularly in machinery, electronics, and processed foods.
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