Ghana and Japan Seal Grant Agreements for Kumasi Road Upgrades and Northern Health Boost
A a significant boost to bilateral ties, Ghana and Japan signed Exchange of Notes on October 2, 2025, formalizing Japanese grant aid for two key development projects: the “Project for the Improvement of Inner Ring Road in Kumasi City” and the “Project for the Improvement of Health Care System in the Northern Region.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa signed for Ghana, while Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Yoshimoto represented Japan. The ceremony underscores Japan’s ongoing support for Ghana’s infrastructure and health sectors, valued at approximately ¥3 billion (about $20 million USD) for the road project alone.l
Ablakwa highlighted the road initiative’s potential to alleviate chronic traffic congestion in Kumasi, Ghana’s second-largest city, by modernizing the Inner Ring Road—a vital link between N6 and N8 highways and part of the Takoradi-Tema Ports–Ouagadouguu trade corridor. “This will enhance urban mobility, reduce delays, and stimulate economic growth,” he said, noting improved access to schools, hospitals, and markets while cutting accident risks.d136bccadc6e The project, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), aligns with Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly’s evacuation orders for affected areas by October 30, 2025, to clear space for construction.
The health project targets the underserved Northern Region, expanding facilities and services to enhance community well-being, including better maternal and child care. Ablakwa praised Japan’s broader contributions, such as aid to rice farmers, scholarships, and research support.
Ambassador Yoshimoto reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to human resource development and education, calling the initiatives symbols of “enduring friendship and mutual trust.” Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson also signed related agreements, emphasizing sustainable urban and rural progress.
These pacts build on prior collaborations, like the N8 Phase II rehabilitation and Tema Motorway upgrades, reinforcing Japan-Ghana partnerships in
