Ghana, Japan forge strategic partnership to advance sustainable education

In a groundbreaking move to transform education and accelerate sustainable development, Ghana and Japan have signed a landmark bilateral cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening educational ties between the two countries.

The signing ceremony, held in Tokyo, brought together Ghana’s Minister for Education, Honourable Haruna Iddrisu, and senior officials from Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

The agreement, which marks a new era of educational diplomacy, seeks to promote inclusive, quality education with a strong emphasis on sustainability and digital transformation.

Key focus areas include teacher training, the integration of green skills into Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and the expansion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs across Ghana.

Describing the agreement as “strategic and transformative,”

Minister Iddrisu said it aligns perfectly with Ghana’s Education Strategic Plan (ESP 2018–2030) and the broader national goal of building a knowledge-based economy.

“I want to thank the Government of Japan and MEXT for their unwavering technical support and shared commitment to global educational advancement,” Minister Iddrisu said.

"This partnership is not just about bilateral cooperation — it is a joint vision for global progress in education.”

Highlights of the Agreement:

• Strengthening teacher capacity through training and joint curriculum development

• Promoting green and digital skills to enhance youth employability

• Introducing coding courses to build digital literacy and innovation

• Facilitating student exchanges and collaborative research at the tertiary level

• Embedding Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in schools and communities

The initiative also underscores Ghana’s dedication to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which calls for inclusive and equitable quality education.

Minister Iddrisu applauded Japan’s leadership in the global ESD agenda, referencing the UNESCO ESD Centre in Okayama and Japan’s pivotal role in advancing sustainability in education worldwide.

The new partnership builds on decades of Japanese support for education in Ghana, including projects by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Sakura Science Exchange Program, and teacher development collaborations.

With this agreement, both countries anticipate significant long-term impacts on youth empowerment, global citizenship, and innovation in education systems — a bold step towards building resilient, future-ready societies.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith