Accra, May 20, GNA- Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama on Wednesday commended the zeal being displayed by young Japanese volunteers to accelerate the development of Ghana through critical interventions such as the teaching of mathematics and science.

He also expressed profoundness about the eagerness of the volunteers to educate the youth about the dangers of HIV/AIDS, when he hosted 12 new volunteers who are on a two-year tour of duty at the Osu Castle.

The new batch brings the number of volunteers in the country to 100, thus making Ghana the largest recipient of the Japan Overseas Co-operation Volunteers (JOCV) worldwide. Vice President Mahama said relations between Ghana and Japan started 80 years ago, when the renowned Japanese researcher, Noguchi visited the then Gold Coast to research into Malaria and died during the line of duty.

He asked the volunteers to master the culture and tradition of Ghana.

Vice President Mahama appealed to JOCV to post volunteers to assist the country's private sector to grow.

Mr Yutaka Nakamura, Counsellor, Deputy Head of Mission at the Japan Embassy said the JOCV started on February 17, 1977. The volunteers introduced themselves in various Ghanaian languages and thrilled the meeting with local gospel songs.