As part of a routine exercise conducted at the end of every 2-year assignment period, ten Japanese Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCVs) have paid a farewell visit to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. Mr. Alexander Kwaning, the Director of General Administration of Ghana’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning who received the JOCVs on behalf of Hon. Dr. Kwabena Duffour, the sector minister thanked them for completing their two-year assignment. He said their presence have helped Ghana’s development efforts immensely. Ten JOCVs namely: Yoshie Kamiyama, Yuki Kitamura, Hiromi Someya, Mai Kataka, Masayo Nishizawa, Utako Matsuo, Takeshi Yamanaka, Yoshitatsu Harada, Misaki Asari and Yoko Gocho served in areas such as Community Development, Tourism, Home arts, HIV/AIDS control, Agriculture and Engineering. They served both government and non-governmental institutions in the hinterlands of Ghana such as Agona Nkwanta, Sunyani, Ho, Bekwai, Tease, Kumasi, Cape Coast and Akosombo. Mr. Kwaning asked the volunteers to spread the good news about Ghana’s democracy and steady development to their friends and relations. He asked them to consider investing in Ghana in future. The Exchange of Notes, which paved way for the establishment of the JOCV in Ghana, was signed on 17th February 1977 between the Governments of Ghana and Japan. Since then, JICA has dispatched 1,086 Volunteers to Ghana. They normally serve a two-year assignment period in areas related to education, health, vocational training, youth development and sports, private sector development and many others. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is the implementing arm of the Government of Japan that ensures that JOCVs are dispatched to developing countries. In Ghana, JICA has been dispatching volunteers to improve Science and Mathematics education in high schools in rural areas. Some volunteers are dispatched to help improve vocational skills in dressmaking, handicraft, design, computer and electronic engineering, etc, while many others help in community development, HIV/AIDS control, Public Health, Nursing, Nutrition and in supporting management systems at Ghana Education Service, Ghana Health Service and local NGOs. Source: Kojo Williams JICA PR Advisor