Accra, June 11, GNA – Mr Shishido Kenichi, the new Resident Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on Friday said Ghana was the most important country in Africa for the Agency in terms of technical co-operation.
Mr Shishido, who was paying a courtesy call on the Minister of Lands and Forestry, Professor Dominic Fobih in his office in Accra, said JICA, supported Africa with 40 per cent of its resources.
“During three-year tenure here, I would strive at expanding this level of co-operation,” he said.
Mr Shishido is replacing Mr Takahata Tsuneo, who returned to Japan in April.
Welcoming him to Ghana, Prof Fobih said Ghana though a relatively small country among its neighbours had become a showpiece for good governance and democracy.
“We, however, cannot boast of the nation’s forest in like manner since a large part of the forest resource has been depleted.” He expressed optimisms that with JICA’s help, the nation would restore some of the lost forest resources through its Ghana/Japan Technical Cooperation for participatory forest resources management project.
Prof Fobih said the project was being implemented on a pilot phase within 40 communities living near five-forest reserve in the Brong Ahafo Region. The Forest reserves included Yaya, Tain I, Tain II, Sawsaw and Nsemre. 11 June 04
Source: GhanaWeb
