Finance ministry lauds JICA for contribution to development

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.