Ghana, Japan Sign ¥402M Grant Deal to Boost Public Sector Capacity

The Governments of Ghana and Japan have signed a ¥402 million (approximately USD 2.5 million) grant agreement under the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) Programme, marking a significant step forward in strengthening Ghana’s public sector through targeted human capital development.

The ceremonial signing, held at Ghana’s Ministry of Finance in Accra, marked the official launch of the third batch under the fourth phase of the JDS Programme. This collaborative effort reflects a growing bilateral commitment to equipping Ghanaian professionals with the advanced academic and leadership skills needed to drive institutional reform and national development.

Strengthening Bilateral Relations Through Human Capital

In his remarks, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson lauded Japan’s consistent support and expressed Ghana’s appreciation for what he described as a strategic and impactful partnership. He noted that the JDS Programme aligns with Ghana’s national development strategy, which prioritizes building a resilient, transparent, and knowledge-based public sector.

“The support of the Japanese Government through this scholarship programme contributes significantly to our goal of strengthening institutional capacity and enhancing the skills of our future leaders,” Dr. Forson stated.

He also highlighted the broader economic context in which the grant is being received, noting that Ghana is on track to improve its sovereign credit ratings, signaling international confidence in the country’s path to economic recovery and macroeconomic stability.

Japan Reaffirms Long-Term Commitment

The Japanese delegation was led by Executive Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Miyazaki Katsura, who emphasized the importance of capacity building as a cornerstone of sustainable development.

“JICA is proud to continue its support to Ghana through the JDS Programme, which plays a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of public sector leaders. These scholarships are not only educational opportunities but also investments in the future governance of Ghana,” she said.

Katsura reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to long-term development cooperation with Ghana, referencing the country’s ongoing participation in broader JICA-supported sectors including infrastructure, health, agriculture, and disaster resilience.

Focus of the JDS Programme

The JDS Programme provides fully-funded postgraduate scholarships for young and mid-career Ghanaian public servants to pursue master's degrees in Japanese universities. The programme is designed to enhance the capacity of government officials who are expected to contribute to Ghana’s policy formulation and administrative reforms upon their return.

The newly launched batch will focus on critical development areas, including:

• Public Policy and Administration

• Economic and Fiscal Policy

• Urban Planning and Infrastructure Development

• Environmental and Energy Management

• Health and Social Welfare

These focus areas were selected in consultation with the Ghanaian government to reflect current national priorities under the Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda and the Ghana Beyond Aid vision.

Longstanding Ghana–Japan Partnership

The grant marks yet another milestone in a decades-long partnership between the two nations. Japan has historically played an important role in Ghana’s development efforts, particularly in sectors such as transportation, energy, water and sanitation, and technical education.

In recent years, JICA has provided support for projects including:

• The Tamale Interchange, enhancing road connectivity in northern Ghana

• The Project for Strengthening Health System in response to COVID-19

• Capacity-building programmes for engineers, healthcare workers, and policy planners

Future Outlook

The ceremony concluded with a symbolic signing of the grant agreement, reaffirming the bilateral commitment to people-centered development. With this new tranche of scholarships, more Ghanaian professionals are expected to access world-class education and return with the tools to improve governance, economic management, and public service delivery.

“This partnership between Ghana and Japan is more than diplomatic—it is developmental, visionary, and rooted in shared values of mutual respect and cooperation,” Dr. Forson concluded.

With both countries signaling interest in expanding collaboration beyond education to include infrastructure and digital innovation, the JDS grant agreement may herald a new chapter in Ghana–Japan relations, marked by strategic investment in human capital and a commitment to shared prosperity.