<<Print>>

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has donated 128 specialised non-contact hand-held thermometers to the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in Accra. The donation forms part of JICA�s continuous support at assisting Ghana in its preparedness against the Ebola Viral Disease. According to the Ambassador of Japan to Ghana, Mr. Kaoru Yoshimura: �The specialized thermometers are expected to be delivered to Rapid Response Team in all regions and districts and isolation centres to strengthen screening, potential case detection and management. JICA is also supporting some critical aspects of Ghana�s National Preparedness and Response Plan for prevention and control of Ebola.� He continued: �The Government of Japan has so far provided USD 45 million towards the fight against Ebola. In addition, on 7th November 2014, the Government of Japan announced further assistance amounting to USD 100 million in a continuous and timely manner to respond more effectively to the Ebola outbreak.� The Deputy Minister for Health, Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe, and Director-General of GHS, Dr. Ebenezer Appiah Denkyira, accepted the items on behalf of the Minitry and thanked the Government of Japan for its commitment to helping Ghana prepare effectively against the Ebola disease. He commended the contribution of JICA to the fight against Ebola. In September 2014, the Government of Japan through JICA, handed over easy-to-understand Ebola communications materials comprising 300,000 posters and brochures to GHS to be distributed nationwide for the community-based awareness both in urban and rural areas. At the International level, the Government of Japan has been actively engaged with other governments and organizations as part of our support to fighting the spread of Ebola in the West Africa sub -region. Also the Government of Japan, together with JICA continuously supports Ebola training for case management through Ghana Health Service and laboratory equipment for case detection by Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research. JICA, as part of its technical cooperation in the health sector, has strengthened Community-based Health and Planning Services (CHPS) system to improve primary health care and reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in the northern part of Ghana since 2006. About JICA Ghana JICA Ghana is the international aid agency of the Government of Japan in Ghana. Japan�s vision of inclusive and dynamic development refers to the creation of self-reinforcing virtuous cycles of mid-to long-term economic growth and poverty reduction in a constantly changing environment of developing countries. JICA�s activities in Ghana include projects in private sector development, health, education, governance, tourism, agriculture, infrastructure and others.