The 8th edition of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) will have more discussions centred on social issues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Deputy Director-General, Department of African Affairs-Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MIYASHITA Tadayuki, has said.
According to him, the pandemic has had a strong negative impact on society – especially education and health as well as issues on climate change; hence, special attention will be given to those social issues to help in addressing them.
“Because of the pandemic, there are so many social issues coming to the forefront. So for these social challenges, especially education and health and issues of the environment, we need to respond to all these so that it will upgrade the recovery of Africa for development,” he said during an online press briefing on TICAD 8.
To Mr. Tadayuki, although the pillars of this year’s TICAD will mainly touch on the economy, which is further accelerating Japanese investment in Africa; peace and stability; and the third being society, it has become very important to give special focus to the social issues.
He stated that to further strengthen ties with Africa, Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) will be signed with various African leaders of their respective countries at TICAD 8.
TICAD is an open forum in which not only African countries but also international organisations, private companies and civil society organisations involved in development participate. TICAD’s basic principles are respect for African ownership and promotion of international partnerships.
Purpose of TICAD 8
Given the international community’s complexity due to the COVID-19 pandemic and situation in Ukraine, Japan and African countries will discuss how to create a sustainable world together. Japan will firmly stand by Africa as a partner growing together; and will further strengthen cooperation with African countries looking ahead to upcoming events such as the G7 summit in Hiroshima to be held next year.
Japan will set out a pathway for African development looking ahead to the post-COVID-19 era, by highlighting Japan’s strength, which is “quality growth” and “focus on people”, and by strongly supporting African-led development. Japan will also contribute to enhancing the food security in Africa to address the African food crisis that is exacerbated by the situation in Ukraine.
The eighth edition of TICAD will kick-off from August 27-28, 2022 in Tunisia, to provide an update of Japan’s approach to the African continent.
JICA’s Contribution
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) – the official development arm of the government of Japan – has played an important role by implementing Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) through a wide range of activities across Africa spanning healthcare, education, industrial development, agriculture, infrastructure, environmental conservation and peace-building.
Among some key developmental projects is improvement of the Tema motorway roundabout by constructing an underpass on the east-west direction, as well as stretching the roads that link the roundabout to ease traffic for users.
Through a press tour with some team members of JICA to the improved roundabout, the Project Manager for Infrastructure at JICA Ghana, Prince Bio, revealed that phase-two of the project will run from September 2022 to December 2025 to construct a flyover.
A beneficiary of the African Business Education (ABE) initiative, Daniel Antwi, has developed a transonic card that helps students pay the cost of their transport and shopping on campus. The ABE Initiative has been designed to give African youth the opportunity to study at Japanese Universities, and as well have internships with Japanese companies.
JICA promised to continue its support to Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) via its Next Innovation with Japan (NINJA) programme through public agencies responsible for SMEs in the country.
