Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, Finance Minister of Ghana, has commended Japanese Volunteers in the country for their immense contributions and efforts towards the country’s growth and development.
The Finance Minister during his address acknowledged some of the support the Government of Ghana derived from Japan, mentioning the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, which was built by the Government of Japan and donated to Ghana in honor of the Japanese researcher, Hideyo Noguchi, who researched Yellow Fever in Ghana and died from the disease in the country in 1928.
According to Ofori-Atta, the key role the Research Institute played during the Covid-19 pandemic is very commendable as the premiere biomedical research center in the country complemented Government’s efforts at reducing mortality during that time.
In addition, Ofori-Atta mentioned the ongoing Tema-Motorway Phase II Project and the Assin Fosu-Assin Praso Road Projects, as constituting the notable ongoing projects across the length and breadth of the country, funded by the Government of Japan.
Ken Ofori-Atta disclosed that in 1977, about 45 years ago, the first group of volunteers arrived in the country with the sole desire to offer their talents, labor and know-how across the various sectors of the economy. This, he underscored has positively impacted education and healthcare delivery in the country, particularly, in the rural areas.
“It’s amazing how small steps we take can result in good offers for future generations.
“The new skills you are deploying in the communities you serve is helping make a lasting and transformational impact on thousands of people.”
Ofori-Atta
Moreover, Ofori-Atta revealed the Government’s commitment to further improve upon the great bond it shares with the Japanese government and accelerate Ghana’s drive for industrialization.
As the country is going through some economic challenges as a result of the Russian-Ukraine war and the Covid-19 pandemic, he finally called for the continuous support from “Ghana’s longtime friends” including Japan.
These words by the Finance Minister came during his address to the volunteers, who are under JICA’s Volunteer programme, one of Japan’s Technical Cooperation schemes operated as part of its Official Development Assistance (ODA).
About thirty-three (33) volunteers are currently working in various fields including healthcare, education, ICT, creative arts, Community Development, and a host of technical vocations.
Japan in turn appreciates Ghana
Mr. Nakowi Biteri, on behalf of the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, H. E Tsutomu Hiemeno, thanked the Government of Ghana for the hospitality and security provided for the volunteers during their stay in the country.
The volunteers, he disclosed, were enthusiastic to work with the local communities as Japanese goodwill ambassadors and were currently working in Greater Accra Region, Volta Region, Ashanti Region, Bono Region, Ahafo Region, Central and Western Regions of Ghana.
According to Mr. Biteri, the programme had made adequate preparation to send other volunteers to other parts of the county, but were awaiting the clearance from the security agencies to ensure the safety of their volunteers. He as well expressed optimism about the quick recovery of the Ghanaian economy.
On his part, Mr. Yasumichi Araki, Chief Representative of JICA in Accra, noted that the volunteers had become members of the local communities as they lived and shared valuables with them.
Reiterating the words of Mr. Biteri, he added that the joy of the volunteers was the warmth and appreciation extended to them by the local communities they visited. This, he said after expressing his profound gratitude to the Minister for Finance for the support his office had provided them.
Present at the programme were Officials of JICA and the Ministry of Finance.
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