TANAKA Akihiko
President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Tanaka Akihiko, has described the upcoming 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) as a significant moment for reimagining development cooperation in Africa.
The conference, scheduled for August 20–22, 2025, in Yokohama, Japan, will bring together global leaders to focus on Africa, a continent marked by diversity, resilience, and vast potential.
In a statement issued yesterday, Mr. Tanaka said TICAD9 comes at a pivotal time as the world grapples with climate change, geopolitical fragmentation, and economic inequality.
“This year’s conference arrives at a critical moment as the world confronts pressing challenges, including climate change, geopolitical fragmentation, and economic inequality,” he noted.
He stressed that partnerships built on mutual respect, innovation, and strategic collaboration are vital in addressing these global challenges, highlighting Africa’s youth as central to this vision.
By 2050, he said, one in four people worldwide will be African, presenting a historic opportunity for a demographic dividend driven by a young and dynamic workforce.
Mr. Tanaka, however, cautioned that this potential can only be realized through sustained investments in education, healthcare, and job creation.
“If we fail to invest in our youth, we risk deepening poverty and instability,” he warned, underscoring the urgency of empowering Africa’s next generation.
He added that discussions at TICAD9 are expected to centre on innovative strategies and partnerships aimed at unlocking Africa’s potential and promoting sustainable development.
JICA Ghana Chief Representative, Momoko Suzuki, also highlighted JICA’s long-standing partnership with Ghana, noting that the agency has been active in the country for over 60 years since 1963.
“We have worked in diverse sectors, including infrastructure, agriculture, industry/SMEs, health, education, and governance. Throughout, JICA has emphasized a people-centered approach, capacity development, self-reliance, and sustainability,” she said.
Ms. Suzuki revealed that more than 300 Ghanaians have benefited from JICA scholarship programmes such as the ABE Initiative and JDS, studying in Japanese universities.
Additionally, she said over 33,000 SMEs have received Kaizen training to improve business operations, while the methodology has also been applied in hospitals and the public sector to enhance service delivery.
According to her, since 1977, 1,554 Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers have supported Ghana’s development efforts.
She expressed hope that beneficiaries of JICA projects will serve as bridges to strengthen Ghana–Japan ties, co-creating innovative solutions in line with TICAD9’s theme.
By Prince Fiifi Yorke