Accra, Feb. 10, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Thursday said the cancellation of one billion dollars debt owed to Japan by Ghana was a landmark in the relationship between the two countries. He said Ghanaians would also forever remember Japan for the grant provided for the rehabilitation of the Accra - Yamoransa Road.

President Kufuor made the observation when Mrs Kazuko Asai, out-going Japanese Ambassador in Ghana, paid a farewell call on him at the Castle, Osu. She assumed duty in June 2002. "A lot of achievements were made during your short tenure of office but these two feats were outstanding," he said. President Kufuor said Mrs Asai endeared herself to some communities in the rural areas where Japan offered assistance for development projects and was enstooled the Nkosuohemaa (Queenmother of Developments) in such communities.

He urged Mrs Asai, who is retiring into private legal practice, to continue to promote cordial relationship between both countries. Mrs Asai said although she was leaving Ghana with a heavy heart she had been encouraged by the strengthened and deepened relationship between Ghana and Japan during her tenure of office.

GNA