Accra, Feb. 17, GNA - The Japanese Government on Thursday signed 73,198 thousand dollars (about 660 million cedis) grant with the Greater Accra Region to help intensify the war against mosquitoes and the prevention of malaria.

The support, which is under the Japanese Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGHSP) would provide about 8,000 mosquito nets to second cycle institutions, Antenatal wards and children's hospitals, and the less fortunate in the region. Signing the agreement, Mrs Kazuko Asai, the outgoing Japanese Ambassador said the idea to support the mosquito programme stemmed from the concern Japan has for the vulnerable in society.

She said, having had one of the embassy's staff suffered from malaria, it should not happen for the second time before one lends a support, especially when many would be out there suffering from the disease.

Mrs. Asai, who leaves Ghana on Friday, said the programme with the Greater Accra Region would be sustained by her successor.

Mr. Fats Nartey, Director of the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, who signed for the region said the agreement basically aimed at procuring and distributing free, various sizes of treated mosquito nets to vulnerable groups.