The Government of Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) training program as the agency marks 50 years of strengthening Ghanaian professionals’ expertise.
Chief of Staff to the President of Ghana, Dr. Julius Debrah, gave this assurance during a courtesy call at the Jubilee House by a delegation from the JICA Ghana Office, led by the Chief Representative Mr. Takayuki Uchiyama. The delegation, which included senior government officials who are JICA training alumni, briefed the Chief of Staff on the milestone and the program’s enduring impact.
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Since its inception in 1976, the partnership has empowered more than 5,000 Ghanaian officials and professionals. Beyond short-term courses, the program has evolved significantly to support academic excellence, with over 150 participants earning master’s and doctoral degrees at Japanese universities.
“The knowledge, experience, and work ethic gained in Japan are vital to Ghana’s development,” noted Hon. Debrah, pledging continued government support for future initiatives.
Mr Uchiyama emphasised the program’s long-term legacy: “The skills and knowledge brought home from Japan continue to shape our institutions and are passed down to future generations, laying a foundation for Ghana’s stable development.”
Key milestones over the past five decades include:
- Expanded Scope: The program has successfully transitioned from short-term courses to including advanced postgraduate degrees via the JDS scholarship and the ABE Initiative.
- Greater Inclusivity: Female participation in the training program has tripled.
- Broad Reach: Training now covers critical sectors—including health, agriculture, infrastructure, energy, education, and governance—and has expanded to reach officials at national, regional, and district levels.
To celebrate this milestone, JICA will host a symposium to engage alumni, government partners, and stakeholders in reflecting on the program’s impact and mapping out future cooperation. Further details regarding the event will be announced in due course.
About JICA Training in Ghana
JICA’s training program takes Ghanaian officials and professionals to Japan and partner countries to share knowledge and experience in areas important to Ghana’s development. It includes short-term courses through the Knowledge Co-Creation Program (KCCP), a training scheme linked to JICA technical cooperation projects, Master’s and Doctoral degree programs at Japanese universities, including the JDS scholarship and the ABE Initiative. Alumni remain connected through the JICA Alumni Association of Ghana (JAAGHA).
