The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Ghana’s Ministry of Finance have today signed a Grant Agreement for the continuation of the “Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS)” in a ceremony held at the Ministry of Finance in Accra.

The agreement was formally signed by Ms. MIYAZAKI Katsura, Executive Senior Vice President of JICA, and Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister for Finance. The initiative aims to nurture the next generation of Ghanaian public sector leaders by providing scholarships to highly qualified young government officials, equipping them with the expertise needed to shape and implement policies that support Ghana’s social and economic development.

Speaking at the event, Ms. MIYAZAKI underscored Japan’s enduring belief in the power of human capital as a cornerstone for sustainable national development.

“Japan’s own modernisation journey has shown that investing in people drives national progress.

Through the JDS, we aim to share Japan’s unique development experiences and foster collaborative ties with Ghana’s future leaders,” she stated.

Since its inception in Ghana in 2012, the JDS project has demonstrated significant impact. A total of 130 Ghanaian fellows have been dispatched to Japan, with 103 alumni having successfully completed their advanced degrees.

Currently, 27 fellows are in Japan, while 13 new participants are set to depart this year to pursue Master’s and Doctoral studies in fields including Economics, Public Financial Management, Public Administration, Public Health, and International Relations at leading Japanese universities.

The signing comes ahead of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), scheduled for August 2025 in Yokohama, Japan.

Under the theme “Co-create Innovative Solutions,” this year’s conference seeks to reinforce partnerships built on African ownership and international cooperation.

JICA expressed optimism that programs like the JDS will play a key role in fostering innovative collaborations between Africa and Japan.

Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson commended JICA for its consistent support to Ghana’s human resource development.

He noted, “This partnership not only strengthens the capacity of our public institutions but also deepens the long-standing friendship between Ghana and Japan.”

The new cohort of scholars is expected to depart for Japan later this year, marking another milestone in a decade-long commitment to nurturing leadership and expertise for Ghana’s sustainable development.