VEEP impressed about Japanese interest

Accra, March 31, GNA - Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama on Friday expressed delight about the track record of Japanese volunteers in keeping Ghana's interest in the study of science and mathematics alive. Recalling the bilateral relations, which dated back to 1928 when the famous Japanese scientist, Noguchi visited Ghana to research into yellow fever, he said 49 years later, when the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOVC) programme started 816 of the young volunteers had facilitated the socio-economic development of Ghana through science and technology.

Vice President Mahama, who was interacting with 13 Japanese volunteers, who are on a duty tour of Ghana, at the Osu Castle, said: "Ghana is very grateful to the very supportive role Japan had played." He asked them to learn about the cultural and traditional practices of Ghana and strive to be good ambassadors of the country after their duty tour. "Ghanaians are very warm people and are always happy to receive strangers," he observed.

Mr Masamichi Ishikawa, Japanese Ambassador, said the volunteers who would be posted to institutions under the Ministries of Education and Sports and Local Government and Rural Development, Trade and Industry and Health would engage among other things in science and mathematics education, vocational training skills, youth development and the development of agricultural machines. The volunteers many of whom spoke Ghanaian languages fluently introduced themselves to the Vice President and pledged to give of their best. 31 March 06