Ghana and Japan have signed a bilateral cooperation agreement to deepen educational collaboration between the two nations.
The agreement aims to advance inclusive and quality education, with a strong emphasis on fostering sustainable development and equipping Ghanaian youth with essential digital skills.
Ghana’s Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, and Japan’s Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) A.B.E. Toshiko initialled the agreement, which seeks to significantly deepen educational collaboration between the two nations.
Key objectives
The key objectives of the agreement include building institutional capacity through teacher training and joint curriculum development; supporting green skills development in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to prepare the youth for emerging sustainable industries, and expanding Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and digital innovation initiatives to foster problem-solving and environmental consciousness.
Additionally, the agreement seeks to promote student exchange and joint tertiary education research collaboration to deepen the understanding of global sustainability challenges and also the embedding of education for Sustainable Development (ESD) principles in schools and communities to nurture active, responsible, and globally minded citizens.
A notable addition to the agreement is the provision of comprehensive coding courses designed to develop essential digital skills for Ghanaian students and further promote problem-solving capabilities.
Steadfast friendship
Speaking at the signing, Mr Iddrisu expressed profound gratitude to the Government of Japan and MEXT for their steadfast friendship, technical support, and shared vision.
He emphasised that the partnership transcended mere bilateral cooperation, embodying a shared belief that education is the most powerful tool for building peaceful, resilient and sustainable societies.
The minister said Ghana drew inspiration from Japan’s emphasis on community-based learning, environmental stewardship and holistic student development principles, eager to integrate those into its evolving educational reforms.
Mr Iddrisu further stated that the collaboration was strategic, timely and transformative as Ghana implemented its Education Strategic Plan (ESP 2018-2030) and worked towards a knowledge-based economy.
He reaffirmed Ghana’s strong commitment to the successful implementation of the collaboration, expressing confidence that the shared vision, mutual learning, and structured cooperation would yield tangible results that benefited both nations and contributed meaningfully to global educational progress.
The minister said Ghana fully embraced ESD as central to its education transformation agenda, viewing education as a catalyst for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4, which aimed to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Japan’s leadership
“The partnership with Japan strongly aligns with this critical agenda,” Mr Iddrisu told his counterpart in Japan.
Japan’s leadership in ESD was prominently highlighted, recognising its pivotal role as the headquarters of the global ESD initiative and its consistent efforts in integrating sustainability values into education.
The UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Centre in Okayama and Japan’s consistent hosting of world conferences on ESD were cited as testaments to their commitment to fostering knowledge, values and behaviours essential for a just and sustainable society.
