Ghana and Japan have strengthened their development partnership with the launch of three major initiatives focused on peacebuilding, digital transformation, and health innovation.
The projects, unveiled on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are funded under Japan’s Fiscal Year 2025 Supplementary Budget, with an initial combined investment of about US$1.5 million.
They will be implemented through collaboration between the governments of Ghana and Japan, alongside the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The initiatives cover a range of programmes, including a peacebuilding effort in Bawku under the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus, a digital transformation project aimed at strengthening public sector capacity, and an AI-driven health initiative designed to improve health outcomes while addressing human security risks.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said the projects demonstrate a shared commitment to peace, inclusive development, and responsible innovation.
He added that the interventions are closely aligned with Ghana’s national priorities, particularly in the areas of conflict resolution, digital governance, and universal health coverage.
He highlighted the importance of the Bawku initiative, describing it as a key complement to ongoing national efforts aimed at restoring peace. According to him, the approach brings together reconciliation, reconstruction, and long-term community resilience in a coordinated framework.
On the security front, National Security Advisor Prosper Bani noted that lasting peace cannot be achieved through enforcement alone. He stressed that dialogue, trust-building, and inclusive development are essential to addressing and resolving conflicts sustainably
The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has highlighted the growing importance of artificial intelligence in strengthening governance and public service delivery.
He revealed that Ghana’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy has received Cabinet approval and will be launched next week. The initiative, he said, is expected to position Ghana as a regional leader in the responsible use of AI.
Japan’s Ambassador to Ghana, Hiroshi Yoshimoto, described the collaboration as a sign of strengthening bilateral relations, reaffirming Japan’s commitment to supporting Ghana through interventions focused on human security and development.
A statement read on behalf of the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has highlighted the potential of the AI-for-Health project to transform healthcare delivery in Ghana. According to the statement, the initiative will strengthen disease surveillance, improve early outbreak detection, enhance data governance, and expand access to essential health services.
The UNDP Resident Representative, Niloy Banerjee, praised Japan’s continued support for the project, noting that it reflects how innovation, peacebuilding, and resilience can be advanced together.
Similarly, the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative, Fiona Braka, underscored the need to ensure that the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare remains ethical, inclusive, and centred on people’s needs.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Zia Choudhury, has said the initiatives align closely with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reaffirm the UN’s continued support for Ghana’s development priorities.
He made the remarks at a launch event that brought together senior government officials, development partners, and representatives of implementing agencies.
The gathering marked what stakeholders described as a renewed commitment to building a more peaceful, resilient, and technologically driven future for Ghana, with stronger collaboration between government and development partners.