Women to Be Main Focus of Japanese Assistance

The development of women in the area of income generation, capacity building and skill acquisition will form the priority area of Japanese assistance to Ghana, Mrs Kazuko Asai, Japanese Ambassador said on Saturday.

Speaking during a courtesy call on the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Mahami Salifu, at Bolgatanga, as part of her maiden working visit, Mrs Asai pledged her country's readiness to support Ghana to develop her economic and cultural potentials to an appreciable level.

She recounted the bilateral relations between Japan and Ghana and said the two countries had so far demonstrated their determination to strengthen this relationship through social, cultural and economic ties.

Mr Salifu called for the strengthening of the co-operation between the two countries in technical manpower and tourism development.

He said the region abounds in tourist attractions and needs support to tap and refine this potential to create jobs for the youth.

The ambassador had earlier visited the Single Mothers Association Project, funded by the Japan government at Kpantanga, near Zuarungu in the Bolgatanga District, and also paid a courtesy call on the paramount chief of Paga, Pe Charles Awia Awampaga at his palace.

The paramount chief mentioned the slave transit point, the Paga crocodile pound and other tourist attractions, which he said could be developed to create jobs for the people.

He said the unfavourable climatic conditions of the area could not support all year agriculture and appealed for Japanese assistance in the construction of small irrigation dams to facilitate dry season farming.

The ambassador also visited the Paga Crocodile Pond and the Ghana-Burkina Faso border post.