The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is sponsoring five disease control officers to study epidemiology in Japan. The officers, who were selected based on their exceptional working abilities would leave Ghana on Friday to begin the 18-day course under "Young Leaders Programme". They are Mrs Grace Selase Etsra (Jasikan District, Volta Region), Mr Abaane Donatus Nbonibe (Bongo District, Upper East), Mr Sulemana Tahiru (Atwima Mponua District, Ashanti Region), Mr Emmanuel Odoi Damptey (Ga West District, Greater Accra) and Mr Abraham Sambian (Ahanta West District, Western Region). Mr Naoki Yanase, JICA Assistant Resident Representative in charge of Planning and Coordination Section, said the partnership between JICA and the heath sector had over the years intensified in areas ranging from policy dialogue to project and programme management. He said JICA had since 1999 supported 16 health workers to undertake the course aimed at providing young leaders with opportunities to develop their skills and further strengthening the relationship between both countries. Mr Yanase said JICA had increased the number of beneficiaries from two to five to motivate and boost the morale of other health workers to also work hard and benefit from the sponsorship. "The government of Japan would continue to assist the government of Ghana to give priority to reducing morbidity and mortality rates," he added. Dr Elias Sory, Director-General of the Ghana Heath Service, commended JICA for the support, saying it had come to complement efforts of the Service to motivate its workers to work hard. He said Epidemiology was a key area for disease control, especially in today's world where people could easily move from place to place and spread diseases. Dr Sory said: "Come back with the Japanese spirit that is committed to hard work for nationalism instead of acquiring wealth." Mrs Etsra thanked the Japanese Government for the support and pledged that they would come back with the required skills to assist with quality health care. Source: GNA