Accra, June 29, GNA - Ghana on Wednesday received a grant for about 4.8 metric tons of rice worth two million dollars from the Government of Japan to meet the shortfall in rice production locally.

The consignment that includes Australian, Japanese and Thai rice is also to alleviate the Balance of Payment difficulties of the government of Ghana.

Dr. William Adote, Director of International Economic Relations Division of the Ministry of Finance received the items from Eiichi Suzuki, Deputy Head of mission, who made the donation on behalf of his government.

Dr Adote said, the facility is the eighteenth since the first of its kind was signed in 1973. It brings to a total of 30 million dollars worth of food aid extended to Ghana and has also generated a counterpart fund of about 150 billion cedis when sold ".

He explained that proceeds from the sales which are usually deposited at the Bank of Ghana are used to finance mutually agreed projects in accordance with the provisions of the Exchange of Notes and Agreed Minutes (ENAM) between the two countries.

"It is worth noting that an amount of over 700 million cedis out of the counterpart fund has been used to Co-finance the Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burns Unit at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital."

Mr Suzuki said, Japan has followed with keen interest the tenacity of purpose shown by Ghana to increase food production and ensure its security. "

The efforts has been marred by bad weather, natural disasters like army worm invasion and floods and it is understandable why Ghana may need assistance from her friends", Mr Suzuki said. " It is against the background of these difficult circumstances that the government of Japan is pleased to fulfil the provisions of the ENAM.

He expressed the hope that the assistance would release " critical funds" for other pressing areas of the Ghanaian economy.

GNA