GFA, JETRO Ghana deepen Ghana–Japan ties through football, business and innovation

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has taken a significant step toward strengthening Ghana–Japan relations after a high-level meeting with the leadership of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) Ghana aimed at exploring areas of mutual interest and collaboration.
Held at the headquarters of the GFA, the meeting was led by GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, who expressed appreciation to JETRO Ghana for its sustained engagement. He also commended the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Hiroshi Yoshimoto, for his unwavering commitment and support for football development in the country.
Discussions centered on expanding cooperation across key sectors including trade facilitation, sports science, education, and strategic business partnerships. Both parties explored how football can be leveraged as a powerful platform for knowledge exchange, investment, and capacity building, with the shared objective of delivering long-term value to Ghana’s football ecosystem and the broader economy.
President Simeon-Okraku highlighted the GFA’s strong and longstanding relationship with Japan and the Japanese Football Association, reaffirming the Association’s commitment to deepening this partnership to advance shared goals in football development, administration and innovation.
Also in attendance on the GFA side were General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo and Head of Business Development, Janice Odonkor.
JETRO Ghana was represented by Director-General Tsubasa Nakagawa and Manager for Research and Business Development, Frank Boadi Acheampong, who reiterated JETRO’s mandate to promote mutual trade and investment between Japan and its global partners, including Ghana.
The meeting concluded with both organisations reaffirming their shared commitment to fostering meaningful collaboration—using football as a bridge between sport, business, and education—while unlocking new opportunities that benefit stakeholders in both Ghana and Japan.