Accra, July 17, GNA- July 17, GNA- Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama on Tuesday commended Japan for committing personnel under the Japan Overseas Co-operation Volunteers (JOCV), initiative to fast track the socio- economic development of the country.

He made the commendation at the Osu Castle, when he interacted with 10 volunteers posted to the country on a two-year duty tour at the countryside, to serve mainly as teachers and medical personnel. Vice President Mahama expressed satisfaction that the volunteers were engaged in the teaching of science, mathematics, HIV/AIDS control and community development, which he said were key to national development.

He traced the relations between Ghana and Japan to 1928 when Noguchi, a Japanese Researcher into Malaria, died in the then Gold Coast paving the way for the establishment of Noguchi Research Institute at the University of Ghana, Legon. Vice President Mahama asked the volunteers to adapt to the culture of the country and to be good ambassadors of the country after they their duty tour.

So far 838 volunteers have been posted to Ghana since the inception of the programme in 17 August 1977.