Veteran Japanese astronaut and Axiom Space Chief Technology Officer for Asia Pacific, Koichi Wakata, has urged Ghana to set a clear goal for its space programme and work with other countries to expand its presence in space exploration.

According to him, Ghana has significant potential in space technology and could benefit from stronger international collaboration in developing its human space programme.

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Speaking in an interview with JoyNews on Friday, September 18, 2026, Wakata said his own journey into space was made possible through international cooperation, despite Japan having no space programme when he was a child.

“I would like to see the new generation in Ghana set a clear goal to work together with many countries in space,” he said.

Wakata said he still remembers watching the United States land on the Moon when he was five years old. At the time, he noted, Japan had no space programme, rockets or astronauts, but the experience inspired him to pursue a career in space.

He eventually became an astronaut and has flown to space five times, spending more than 500 days in orbit.

He also previously worked as a manager of the International Space Station programme at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency in Tsukuba, Japan.

He said he also had the opportunity to witness the deployment of Ghana’s first satellite from the Kibo module of the International Space Station. The Kibo module is Japan’s contribution to the International Space Station.

Wakata said the experience was particularly exciting because it marked Ghana’s entry into space technology and demonstrated the potential for the country to participate in global space activities.

“I would really like to see more people in Ghana who will utilise the space environment, and I'm looking forward to seeing the first Ghanaian astronaut flying with us to the International Space Station and our new commercial space station, Axiom Space Station,” he said.

He added that he hopes his experiences as an astronaut, including his training and activities in space, will inspire young people in Ghana to consider careers in the sector.

Wakata is also looking forward to the development of Axiom Space’s commercial space station, which he said would be built in the coming years, creating further opportunities for human activities in space.

He said Ghana’s young generation has a role to play in taking advantage of these opportunities, stressing that the country has “huge potential in space exploration.”

ANAS/MA

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