Accra, June 16, GNA - Mr Shishido Kenichi, Resident Representative of the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) in Ghana, has pledged to expand the Agency's programme of activities to facilitate national development objectives.

He said the continued assistance of JICA would help improve the existing cordial relations between Japan and Ghana.

Mr Kenichi who arrived in Ghana last month, on a three-year duty tour, gave the assurance when he paid a courtesy call on Dr Richard Winfred Anane, Minister of Roads and Transport in Accra.

Dr Anane lauded the Japanese Government for its numerous assistance to Ghana in the areas of health, education and road infrastructure, and expressed the hope that Japan would continue to assist Ghana in its developmental efforts.

The Minister said he was particularly grateful to Japan for the massive investment in the road sector, and referred to Japanese grant for the construction of the Kasoa-Cape Coast trunk road. Mr Edward Kwakye, Director of Policy Planning at the Ministry, urged the Japanese Government not to confine itself to road construction alone, but to ensure the safety of those roads, to help reduce accidents to the barest minimum.