Finance ministry lauds JICA for contribution to development

Accra, March 22, GNA - Volunteers of the Japan

Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) have been

lauded for helping in diverse ways to develop the Ghanaian

economy. Following usual tradition, 26 returning Japanese

volunteers paid a farewell visit to the Ministry of Finance

and Economic Planning to express their gratitude to the

ministry and Ghanaians for offering them the opportunity to

serve Ghana in different capacities and for the cordiality

they enjoyed during their two-year stay. A statement from JICA said the Deputy Director at the

Ministry of Finance, Mr Alex Kwaning, on behalf of the

Sector Minister expressed gratitude to all the volunteers for

contributing immensely to the development of Ghana's

thriving economy. "You have displayed a high spirit of volunteerism and

have braced all odds to deliver your best at your various

duty posts," he said. "In a significant way, you have contributed to the

development of the Ghanaian economy and in investing in

the technical know-how of our people in all the several areas

of endeavour you have served," Mr Kwaning said. Mr Kwaning consoled the volunteers on the earthquake

and tsunami that wrecked havoc Japan on March 11 and

assured them that Ghanaians and the entire world shared in

their losses and prayed for safety of their lives and that of

their families. "At this time, our hearts go out to you and all the good

people of Japan for the regrettable natural disaster

happening in your country. It is sad that bad things

sometimes happen to good people. We pray for an end to

the unfortunate disaster," he said. Mr Kojo Olabode-Williams, Japan International

Cooperation Agency's Public Relations Adviser, said a

notable achievement of the volunteers was an ICT

workshop organized for selected secondary and tertiary

schools ICT tutors. He said the workshop helped participants acquire hands

-on knowledge on computer hardware assembling,

troubleshooting, software installation and other

contemporary ICT skills.