Japan-Ghana Relations
Meeting between Foreign Minister Hayashi and the Hon. Mr. Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana
February 23, 2023
On February 23rd, commencing at 9:20 a.m. (local time; February 23rd, 11:20 p.m. JST) for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, on visit to New York, the United States of America to attend the UN General Assembly Emergency Special Session and the UN Security Council Ministerial Meeting on Ukraine, held a meeting with Hon. Mr. Kwaku AMPRATWUM-SARPONG, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana. The overview is as follows:
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi stated that he would like to further develop bilateral relationship between Japan and Ghana, and with regard to Ghana’s application to the Common Framework for Debt Treatments, Minister Hayashi stated that Japan recognizes the importance of implementing the process with a speedy timeline, and will work with other creditor countries towards rapid debt restructuring. Deputy Minister Ampratwum-Sarpong expressed his gratitude for the support Japan has provided so far and stated that he would like to seek for further enhancement of the relations of both countries.
- Both sides exchanged views on strengthening cooperation on various issues of the international community. Minister Hayashi stressed that, regarding Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, unilateral change of the status quo by force is unacceptable anywhere in the world and that Japan can never accept Russia’s nuclear threats, let alone its use of nuclear weapons under any circumstances. Deputy Minister Ampratwum-Sarpong stated that any attempts to undermine the territorial integrity as well as peace and security of another country would not be acceptable, and that Ghana would like to support Ukraine.
- Both sides discussed the necessity of strengthening the functions of the United Nations, and with regard to the United Nations Security Council reform in particular, Minister Hayashi stated that he would like to work together to increase momentum. Minister Hayashi stated that, at the G7 Hiroshima Summit, as the G7 presidency, Japan will take the lead in promoting the G7’s efforts to address global issues, taking into account the broad range of voices in the international community. In response to this, Deputy Minister Ampratwum-Sarpong stated that Ghana would like to cooperate with Japan in aiming at the best function of the Security Council for international peace and security.
- In addition, both sides exchanged views on the situation in the East and South China Seas and on dealing with North Korea including on the nuclear and missile issues and the abductions issue, and confirmed that they will continue to work closely together.