The Deputy Minister of Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, has commended volunteers of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for their longstanding contribution to Ghana’s development and the strong relationships they have built with communities across the country.
Mr Nyarko Ampem made the remarks when 32 volunteers of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) paid a courtesy call on the Ministry of Finance. Representing the Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, he thanked the volunteers for their dedication and continued commitment to supporting communities through the sharing of their skills and expertise.
According to the Deputy Minister, the approaching 50th anniversary of JICA’s volunteer programme in Ghana in 2027 provides an opportunity to reflect on the depth of cooperation between the two countries and the impact of the programme over the decades.
He noted that the presence of JICA volunteers in Ghana had also helped reinforce the value of volunteerism, particularly by showing how individuals can contribute their time, knowledge and professional skills to improve the lives of others.
“JICA volunteers continue to remind and rekindle the spirit of volunteerism in Ghana by demonstrating the importance of giving time and skills to support local communities,” he said.
The Deputy Minister drew on his own childhood experience to illustrate the personal impact of the programme, recalling that a JICA volunteer once taught him Mathematics. He said his experience was representative of the many Ghanaians who had encountered Japanese volunteers through their work in different communities.
“I was taught Mathematics by a JICA volunteer as a child, and like me, many Ghanaians have benefited from the contribution of JICA volunteers over the years,” he recalled.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss Ghana’s infrastructure priorities, with Mr Nyarko Ampem revealing that the government had prioritised the Volivo Bridge and was taking steps to facilitate the release of funds to move the project forward.
He said the bridge, together with other road projects being pursued under the government’s Big Push programme, would help improve connectivity and reduce travel times to parts of northern Ghana. The investments, he added, were expected to support economic activity and improve access to opportunities and services.
The relationship between Ghana and JICA extends beyond the volunteer programme. JICA’s cooperation with Ghana dates back to 1963, while the first group of nine JICA volunteers arrived in the country on August 17, 1977. Since then, 1,557 volunteers have worked in areas including education, health and agriculture.
The cooperation has also included capacity building, with more than 4,700 Ghanaian officials receiving training in Japan and other third countries, strengthening professional and institutional capabilities in various sectors.
The JICA delegation was led by its Chief Representative in Ghana, Takayuki Uchiyama, and included Naoki Mitori, Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Japan.
Mr Mitori stressed that the volunteer programme should not be viewed solely as an avenue for Japan to provide expertise to Ghana. He said the exchange also gives Japanese volunteers an opportunity to learn from Ghanaian communities and gain first-hand experience of the country’s culture, food, language and way of life.
The engagement comes as Ghana and Japan prepare to mark the 50th anniversary of JICA’s volunteer service in Ghana in 2027, highlighting a relationship that has evolved beyond technical assistance into a broader exchange of knowledge, skills and experiences between the two countries.
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