Finance Minister, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu on Friday lauded the contribution of the Japanese government to Ghana's socio-economic development. Speaking at a meeting with Mr Kenzo Oshima, Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Mr Baah-Wiredu said Japan's support to Ghana, both in the areas of grant aid and technical assistance, had increased tremendously both in value and scope. As at March 2006, Japan's support to Ghana through JICA by way of technical assistance reached 318 million with Health, Education and Agriculture sectors major beneficiaries. In addition, Grant Aid for the construction of Roads and Bridges, Rural Electrification and other economic and social infrastructure also topped 614 million dollars in March 2006. Mr Baah-Wiredu expressed government's appreciation for the Grant Aid of 370 million Yen for increased food production in the northern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta and Greater Accra Regions. He appealed to the Government of Japan to expedite action in giving approval for the utilisation of a balance of 12.4 million dollars in the counter value fund for qualified development projects in Ghana. Mr. Oshima, who is on a three-day working visit to Ghana, said JICA would continue to support the promotion of Ghana's economic growth and the attainment of self-reliance and sustainable economic development. He commended the Ghanaian government for the solid economic performance but emphasised that real growth could be attained when agriculture was improved. Mr. Oshima will also hold discussion with Mr Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary General. Source: GNA