Accra, May 3, GNA - Mr Junichiro Koizumi, Prime Minister of Japan, has expressed confidence in Ghana's economy and stated that it is on the right track for sustainable growth.

He noted that under the leadership of President John Agyekum Kufuor, Ghana's economy was showing a lot of promise, which was evident from the vigour and vitality in and around the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, the centre of Accra.

"We appreciate Ghana's strenuous efforts to achieve a goal of becoming a middle-income country by 2015," he said, at a dinner in his honour at the Accra International Conference Centre on Tuesday. Mr Koizumi accompanied by a 121-member delegation including businessmen was in the country for a three-day visit.

He said Japan valued Ghana's steady progress to consolidate democracy and its positive contribution to regional security. "Japan acknowledges and appreciates what Ghana is pursuing for its nation-building, and will support Ghana's advance towards self-dependence"

The Prime Minister, who had earlier attended a bilateral Ghana-Japan summit at the Castle, Osu, said he was reassured by the fruitful nature of the talks that deep friendship existed between the two countries.

He expressed the hope that the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ghana and Japan next year would further strengthen relations between the two nations. Mr Koizumi recalled his visit to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital where he saw the laboratory where the late Dr Hideyo Noguchi. Dr Noguchi was a Japanese Bacteriologist and Pathologist, who died in Accra of yellow fever, the disease he was researching and said he was overcome with the realisation that bilateral relation had continued ever since.

The Japanese Prime Minister expressed his gratitude for the warm reception he and his delegation received during the visit. He departs Ghana for Sweden on Wednesday on his way to Japan. 03 May 06