Accra, March 9, GNA - The Government of Japan on Tuesday granted Ghana a debt relief of 35 million dollars about (314 billion cedis). The debt represents the various loans contracted by Ghana from that country to expand her Telecommunication facilities, the road network, water projects and rehabilitation of Ports and Harbours, among other things.

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, signed the exchange notes on behalf of the Government of Ghana while Mrs Kazuko Asai, Japanese Ambassador in Ghana, signed for her government. Nana Akufo-Addo commended the Government of Japan for its support in Ghana's developmental programmes.

He made special mention of the conversion of the 32 million dollar loan into grant, for the construction of the Cape Coast roads, and expressed the hope that the relationship between the two countries would strengthen the economy of Ghana.

The Minister also praised the Ambassador for her tireless efforts to assist Ghana achieve her developmental goals.

Mrs Asai said the debt relief measure was aimed at easing recipient countries' debt burden arising from Japanese development assistance loans to mitigate international balance of payment problems.

She said her government highly regarded the way the Government was implementing the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) and good governance.

She pledged her government's willingness to assist Ghana to achieve her development objectives.