Japanese Ambassador Naoto Nikai and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Hannah Tetteh signing the grant agreement.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has signed a $1.2 million grant agreement with Ghana to sponsor 10 young government officials to pursue Master’s degree programmes in Japanese universities.
A statement issued by JICA, and copied to the GNA, said the scholarships were meant for the development of Ghana’s human resource and were targeted at “highly capable, young government officials who are expected to help in formulating and implementing social and economic development plans for Ghana’s prosperity.”
JICA said beneficiaries would conduct research, acquire expert knowledge and build human networks at Japanese universities, with which they would be expected to use in taking an active role in solving socio-economic development issues confronting Ghana.
“Under this programme participants shall also contribute to an expanded and enhanced foundation for bilateral relations between Ghana and Japan as persons having well-rounded knowledge of Japan,” the statement said.
JICA said the rationale for the scholarships was the need for participants to finish studying as soon as possible so as to return and apply their knowledge in government.
The language of instruction would be English and the duration of study would be two years.
The statement said Ms Hanna Tetteh, Minister for Foreign Affairs, expressed gratitude to the Japanese Government for its commitment to developing and enhancing the capacity of a critical section of Ghana’s human resource.
Source: GNA
