Accra, March 22, GNA - Mr Masamichi Ishikawa, Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, on Thursday pledged his government's support towards the enhancement of education in the country. He gave this assurance when his government gave a grant worth 82,857 US dollars to the Unit school for the Deaf at Kibi for the construction of an 80-bed capacity girl's dormitory as well as four-unit semi-detached staff bungalows.

Mr Masamichi Ishikawa said his government had targeted education under the Japanese Grant Assistance for Human Security Projects, which sought to assist deprived and vulnerable in society. "Enhancement of basic education for all is one of the key factors in promoting sustainable economic and social development in the country," he added.

He said since the government of Japan commenced the grant scheme in Ghana in 1996, approximately 7.3 million US dollars had been disbursed for about 200 projects to help local authorities and NGOs catering for people in need.

Mr Jordan Agbona, Headmaster of Unit School for the Deaf, who received the grant, said the school had been facing accommodation problems for both teachers and students, adding that this had deprived others from gaining admission. He expressed his gratitude to the Japanese Government for the assistance.

In a related development, the Japanese government also gave a grant worth 78,588 US dollars to Ho-Freetown L.A Primary School towards the construction of a school and KVIP toilets. Ms Dorcas Attipoe, a representative of Ho-Freetown a community for cured lepers, thanked the Japanese government for assisting the deprived lepers.