Japan has signed a grant agreement of $1.2 million towards sponsoring 10 young government officials to pursue their Master’s degree programmes in Japanese universities.

The scholarship, under the Human Resource Development programme, is targeting highly capable, young government officials who are expected to help in formulating and implementing social and economic development plans for Ghana’s prosperity.

Mr Kaoru Yoshimura, Japanese Ambassador, and Mr Hiroshi Sumiyoshi, Chief Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed for their side while Ms Hanna Tetteh, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, initialed for Ghana.

Mr Yoshimura, said the beneficiaries, who are expected to be first degree holders, would undertake their studies in selected areas including Public Health, Economics, Agriculture and Energy.

“These academic areas were chosen by both governments because they are considered as strategic in terms of strengthening human resources for Ghana’s national development,” he said.

Mr Yoshimura said the programme formed part of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Africa Business Education Initiative for the Youth.

The Initiative is expected to provide 1,000 African youth with opportunities to study in Japan as well as do internships in Japanese companies.

He said Japan has been offering scholarships to international students, including Ghanaian nationals adding: “In the area of human resource development… JICA, offers a variety of short and long-term programmes to government officials every year.”

He said about 200 government officials went on short and long term training programmes in Japan last year.

“This year we have already selected 10 capable government officials and they will commence their studies in Japan in September.”

Ms Tetteh, expressed appreciation to Japan for the assistance provided.

She said the grant for Human Resource Development was the fourth in the series of Japanese Government grant to Ghana since 2012.

Ms Tetteh said the grant complements Government’s Education Strategic Plan, which seeks to ensure the holistic development of Ghana.

She said in 2014, Japan offered more than $ 20 million to support Ghana’s underprivileged in the farming, fisheries and health sectors.