The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ghana, Mr. Hiroshi Yoshimoto, has revealed that an estimated 80% of Japanese chocolate is made from Ghanaian cocoa. He made this revelation during an exclusive interview with select media houses at his residence in Accra. The interaction aimed at strengthening ties between the Japanese Embassy and the Ghanaian media while shedding light on the long-standing relationship between the two nations.
Ambassador Yoshimoto, who assumed his role recently, shared insights into his career background, stating that he is not a career diplomat but has a wealth of experience in education, science, and technology. Having worked in Japan’s Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, Sports, and Culture for decades, he noted that his previous engagements with UNESCO exposed him to close collaborations with African countries, igniting his passion to serve on the continent.
Reflecting on his time in Ghana so far, he praised the country’s vibrant and promising nature, citing the energetic youth and the cheerful disposition of its people. He commended the democratic process in Ghana, particularly highlighting his participation in the recent presidential election observation. The ambassador was impressed by the professionalism of Ghana’s Electoral Commission and the peaceful conduct of the elections, despite isolated incidents in some areas. He lauded Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for conceding defeat and calling for unity before the official announcement of results, describing it as a testament to Ghana’s democratic maturity.
On Ghana-Japan relations, Ambassador Yoshimoto emphasized Japan’s long-standing commitment to Ghana’s development, particularly in health and education. He cited the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and the widespread use of Japan’s Maternal and Child Health Manual in Ghana’s regional health centers as significant contributions. He further expressed Japan’s intention to encourage more private sector participation in Ghana’s healthcare industry, noting that Japanese start-ups such as Ajinomoto Foundations and Sora Technology are actively addressing challenges in the sector.
Discussing education, the ambassador acknowledged Ghana’s challenges in the sector and expressed interest in leveraging Japan’s expertise to improve the system. He pointed out that Japan’s holistic educational approach and the integration of ICT in learning could be beneficial to Ghana.
On infrastructure, he cited the recent completion of the Tema Flyover as a critical project executed by Japan, which has improved traffic flow between Accra and Tema while enhancing regional connectivity. He encouraged Ghana to create a more favorable business environment to attract foreign investors, particularly in infrastructure and agribusiness.
Ambassador Yoshimoto revealed that cocoa, gold, and bauxite are Ghana’s top three exports to Japan, with cocoa playing a particularly prominent role. He emphasized that 80% of chocolate produced in Japan is made from Ghanaian cocoa, and the country’s name is widely recognized in Japan due to the popular Ghana chocolate brand. He encouraged Ghana to explore value addition in agriculture, particularly in processed foods such as dried fruits, to enhance its market competitiveness.
In addition to agribusiness, the ambassador praised Ghana’s fashion industry, noting that many Japanese visitors order custom outfits made from Ghanaian fabric. He highlighted the success of the Japanese fashion start-up “Cloudy,” which collaborates with Ghanaian designers to produce original clothing for the Japanese market. He expressed optimism that Ghana’s garment industry could expand further by partnering with world-renowned fashion brands.
Ambassador Yoshimoto reiterated Japan’s commitment to strengthening ties with Ghana across various sectors, including trade, education, health, and infrastructure, to foster mutual growth and development.
By Madjid Diallo || GhanaNewsOnline