Accra, Jan. 24, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Monday appealed to Japan for assistance to Ghana in the field of Natural Disaster Management.

He said Japan was well known in Natural Disaster Management and such assistance would further boost the cordial relationship between both countries.

President Kufuor made the appeal when Mr Matsuoka Kazuhisa, Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) paid a courtesy call on him at the Castle, Osu.

Mr Kazuhisa also participated in the just-ended 28th Ordinary Summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held in Accra on Janaury 19.

President Kufuor commended Japan for the tremendous support to ECOWAS, especially to maintain refugees within the Sub-Region. He said the Government had maintained about 50,000 refugees in Ghana through her own resources and would appreciate assistance from development partners such as Japan.

President Kufuor expressed appreciation to the Japanese Government for the cancellation of about one billion dollars debt owed by Ghana, adding, "We need active cooperation and support from our development partners such as Japan."

Mr Kazuhisa said Japan had enjoyed fruitful cooperation with Ghana over the years and appealed for Ghana's assistance to Japan's membership on the United Nations (UN) Security Council.

He congratulated President Kufuor for his re-election and hoped there would be improved relationship between Japan and Ghana during his second term for more economic and joint ventures between entrepreneurs from both countries.