Japanese youth on voluntary missions in Ghana have expressed their amazement at the warm arms of friendship the host people extend to foreigners and assured of their readiness to return on any future missions.

The nearly 50 youth, whose ages range between 20 and 39, are serving in various fields all over the country as Japan Overseas Co-operation Volunteers (JOCV) under a Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) programme.

And as a demonstration of their acceptance of Ghana as a home away from home, the volunteers do not only eat local foods and wear local dresses but some also adopt local names.

These sentiments were expressed last Saturday at the Teachers Hall Complex in Accra during a Silver Jubilee celebrations of JOCV activities in Ghana.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues in an opening address, Master Mitsuhoro Kato, 28, who is serving with the Birim North District Assembly branch of the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), said that very often they are told nothing about this country back home, and naturally they receive postings here with mixed feelings.

However, once here, their fears and anxieties are assuaged by the usual Ghanaian hospitality.

In a follow-up speech by master Yoshi Fumi Hashiguchi, 24, on some of his wonderful experiences here, the volunteer said in spite of the virtually diametrically opposite cultures, such as asking and giving of gifts, mutual trust and co-operation between the two countries can form what he called "a bridge over troubled waters."

Hashiguchi teaches Chemistry at the Tanyivie Secondary School and thinks every one in is kind to him.

Talking to the Chronicle in an exclusive interview, Masters Kato, Hashiguchi and Ms. Megumi of Integrated Community Centre for Employable skills (ICCES) at Tetrefu, said they cannot remember off-hand the number of friends they have made in Ghana and hope to make more before they leave.

In a similar vein, they do not recall any bitter experiences or maltreatment meted out to them by their hosts.

The anniversary celebrations were crowned with speeches from the Minister for Manpower Development and Employment, Mrs. Cecilia Bannerman, the deputy Minister of Education, Alhaji Rashid Bawa, Mr. John Budu Smith, Director of Education, Mr. Yazo Kaneko, JOCV Director in Ghana, Mrs. Kazuko Asai, the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana and Mr. M. A. Quist-Therson of the External Funds Department of the Ministry of Finance.

Mr. Quist-Therson stressed the direct linkage between time and wealth and asked Ghanaians to follow the Japanese example of punctuality in order to develop the nation.

He also called for more inter-marriages between the two peoples to concretise the existing bond of friendship.

As part of the anniversary, which attracted people from all walks of life, were a workshop, exhibitions and a football match.