In a significant move set to transform Ghana’s educational landscape, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has officially formalised a landmark partnership between the Ministry of Education and Japan’s renowned Life is Tech organization, in collaboration with Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

This groundbreaking initiative aims to revolutionize the educational experience for an estimated 1.35 million Ghanaian students, primarily at the Senior High School level.

The program will provide students with access to comprehensive coding courses, enabling them to acquire vital digital skills such as programming, problem-solving, and logical thinking.

This collaboration will also furnish essential digital resources, ensuring students from diverse backgrounds can benefit from high-quality tech education, thereby reducing educational disparities and promoting inclusivity.

Beyond digital literacy, the initiative encompasses a broader scope of educational enhancements:

Institutional Capacity Building: It will enhance institutional capacity through teacher training and collaborative curriculum development.

Green Skills Development: The partnership will facilitate green skills development in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), preparing youth for emerging sustainable industries.

STEM and Digital Innovation: It will expand Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and digital innovation initiatives to cultivate problem-solving abilities and environmental awareness.

Student Exchange and Research: The collaboration will foster student exchange and joint tertiary education research to deepen understanding of global sustainability challenges.

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD): Crucially, it will integrate Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) principles in schools and communities, nurturing responsible and globally conscious citizens.

A shared vision for a sustainable future

Minister Iddrisu expressed profound gratitude to the Government of Japan and MEXT for their steadfast friendship, technical support, and shared vision.

He emphasised that this partnership is more than just bilateral cooperation; it embodies a shared belief that education is the most powerful tool for building peaceful, resilient, and sustainable societies.

Ghana, he noted, draws inspiration from Japan’s emphasis on community-based learning, environmental stewardship, and holistic student development principles, eager to integrate these into its evolving educational reforms.

The Minister further stated that this collaboration is strategic, timely, and transformative as Ghana implements its Education Strategic Plan (ESP 2018-2030) and works towards a knowledge-based economy.

He reaffirmed Ghana’s strong commitment to the successful implementation of the collaboration, expressing confidence that the shared vision, mutual learning, and structured cooperation will yield tangible results that benefit both nations and contribute meaningfully to global educational progress.

Japan’s Leadership in Sustainable Development Education

Japan’s prominent leadership in ESD was highlighted, recognising its pivotal role as the headquarters of the global ESD initiative and its consistent efforts in integrating sustainability values into education.

The UNESCO Education For Sustainable Development (ESD) Centre in Okayama and Japan’s consistent hosting of World Conferences on ESD were cited as testaments to their commitment to fostering knowledge, values, and behaviors essential for a just and sustainable society.

Ghana fully embraces ESD as central to its education transformation agenda, viewing education as a catalyst for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4, which aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”

Japan’s ongoing support through initiatives such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Project for Improving the Quality of Primary Education through Teacher Development, and the Sakura Science Exchange Program continue to significantly transform education in Ghana.