THE Government of Japan and three developmental associations in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions yesterday signed grant agreements totalling ?522 million in support of various projects in the three regions under the Japanese Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects.

Under the agreement, ?181 million would be used to provide 20 solar-powered lamps and 100 solar lanterns for the Functional Literacy Programme in 20 communities in the Bole District of the Northern Region, ?183 million for the construction of a community dam at Sekote in the Upper East Region whilst ?158 million would be used for the reconstruction of the Douri Dam at Douri, in the Upper West Region.In a brief remark after the signing ceremony, Mr Eiichi Suzuki, Counsellor of the Embassy of Japan said his government decided to provide the assistance because the Bole District is listed as one of the areas with a low literacy rate in the country.

He said the Japanese Government places emphasis on education and appealed to the coordinators of the project to encourage women to participate actively in the literacy project.

Mr Suzuki explained that female education directly reduces poverty, slows down population growth and strengthens the national economy.

Mr Suzuki said the grant for the dam at Douri and Sekote is to demonstrate his government's willingness and readiness to help Ghana forge ahead in development.

Mr John Mahama, Deputy Minister of Communications and Member of Parliament for Bole-Bamboi, expressed appreciation to the Government of Japan and said the lamps would facilitate the Adult Literacy Programme which is currently hindered by the lack of reliable lighting systems.

In their remarks, Messieurs Moses Asaga, Member of Parliament for the Nabdam Constituency and Mr Timothy Dombo, Vice-Chairman of the Douri Youth Association expressed appreciation to the Government and People of Japan for the assistance.