Japan’s Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, has announced $500 million to support efforts at securing peace in the Sahel region and the coastal states of the Gulf of Guinea.
The announcement was made when Prime Minister Kishida paid a courtesy call on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House on Monday.
This is the first visit by a Japanese Prime Minister to Ghana in 17 years
Addressing a joint press briefing at Jubilee House after a bilateral meeting between the two leaders, Prime Minister Kishida said without peace and stability in the West African region, there would not be economic growth.
Prime Minister Kishida commended Ghana for establishing the Accra Initiative and other endeavours to secure peace and stability in the region.
“Under the objective of contributing to the peace and stability in the region, particularly the Sahel region and the coastal states of the Gulf of Guinea and promoting sustainable growth, Japan would provide $500 million of support over the next three years,” he stated.
Prime Minister Kishida assured that Japan would support the Accra Initiative to broker peace in the region.
The Japanese Prime Minister’s visit to Ghana is to directly listen to the voice of Africa and reflect on the feedback on the discussion that would ensue at the G7 Hiroshima Summit.
Ghana, he said, is a major economic hub of West Africa, adding that Japan shares the same fundamental values and principles such as democracy and the rule of law with Ghana.
On the conflict in Sudan, Prime Minister Kishida indicated his country’s concerns over the impasse and assured that in its capacity as a member of the G7 and a member of the UN Security Council, Japan shall make proactive contributions to broker peace in that country and provide of humanitarian assistance to the citizens.
Japan has been supporting Africa’s efforts to achieve peace and stability, the prerequisite for economic growth, investment and betterment of livelihoods, under the New Approach for Peace and Stability in Africa (NAPSA).
On his part, President Akufo-Addo said the discussions with his counterpart touched on the need to promote a better world and address global issues to realise sustainable development goals.
They also discussed the need to reform the United Nations, especially the Security Council to reflect the changing circumstances of the world from 1945.
Rex Mainoo Yeboah, ISD.
