Japan launches initiative to support peace in Bawku
Japan has unveiled a supplementary fund to boost peacebuilding in Bawku, deploy artificial intelligence (AI)-driven health and support digital governance across the country.
The projects, which were initially valued at $1.5 million, represent catalytic funding that could expand to between $10 million and $15 million over five years to support community-based programmes.
The projects, implemented in partnership with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the government of Ghana, focus on promoting peace and stability in Bawku through mediation efforts, leveraging AI to improve healthcare delivery while addressing ethical risks, and enhancing public sector capacity for digital transformation and AI governance.
The projects will involve key partners such as government ministries, the Ghana Health Service, World Health Organisation (WHO), civil society, academic institutions, including the University of Ghana.
Launch
The launch took place in Accra last Wednesday under the auspices of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, Hiroshi Yoshimoto, who launched the supplementary budget support in the presence of other dignitaries.
They included the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Niloy Banerjee, the UN Resident Coordinator, Zia Choudhury, the WHO Country Representative, Dr Fiona Braka, the National Security Adviser at the Presidency, Prosper Bani, as well as the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nortey George.
Also in attendance were a Public Health Physician, Dr Belinda Afriyie Nimako, who represented the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh; the Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council, Dr George Amu, and the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea.
Partnership
Speaking at the event, Mr Ablakwa reaffirmed the country’s strong partnership with Japan.
He described the support as a reflection of enduring friendship, shared values and effective collaboration between Ghana, Japan and international partners.
Mr Ablakwa emphasised Japan’s longstanding role in Ghana’s development through frameworks such as TICAD, highlighting its leadership in promoting human security, universal health coverage and responsible artificial intelligence.
On peace and security, Ablakwa stressed that the Bawku intervention adopted a humanitarian-development-peace approach aimed at restoring trust, rebuilding social cohesion and ensuring sustainable peace.
He said the initiative also complemented the government’s plans for post-conflict reconstruction and development across affected districts.
"Japan continues to demonstrate that true partnership is about vision, innovation and shared progress.
The projects we are launching today are closely aligned with Ghana's national priorities,” he stated.
Bilateral cooperation
The Japanese Ambassador emphasised that the initiatives reflected over 70 years of strong bilateral cooperation between Japan and Ghana, rooted in shared values of inclusive, sustainable development and human security.
Mr Yoshimoto added that the projects aligned with key priorities of Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) engagements, particularly in advancing peace, innovation and technology-driven development across Africa.
In the health sector, he said the AI-focused project would build on earlier Japan-UNDP collaborations to expand digital technologies and improve healthcare systems, while ensuring that innovation remained ethical and people-centered.
"The collaboration between Ghana, Japan, UNDP and all stakeholders on these three projects we are launching today demonstrates how collective efforts can translate shared commitment into a meaningful and lasting impact," Mr Yoshimoto stated.
"I would like to emphasise that Japan remains committed to deepening this partnership and working together to co-create solutions, strengthen institutions, and build a future that is peaceful, innovative, and inclusive," he added.
Driving innovation
For his part, the UNDP Ghana Resident Representative highlighted the importance of global solidarity and partnership, especially amid challenging global conditions.
Mr Banerjee praised Japan as a longstanding and strategic partner of UNDP, noting its consistent support over the past two decades and its contribution of nearly $9–10 million to programmes in Ghana in recent years.
