Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Eastern Regional Minister, on Wednesday commended American Peace Corp Volunteers for their immense contribution to the socio-economic development of the country within the last 50 years.
He observed that the contribution of the volunteers in the areas of education development, environment, small enterprise development and health and sanitation could not be over-emphasised.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo was speaking when a team of the volunteers, led by Dr Aaron S, Williams, International Director of Peace Corps, called on him in Koforidua.
The director was in the country to mark the 50 years anniversary of the arrival of the volunteers in Ghana.
The late US President, John F. Kennedy established the peace corps to promote world peace and friendship.
That year, the first volunteers arrived in Ghana and started a legacy of partnership and development that has lasted uninterrupted over the period.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said he was happy to see the volunteers integrating into the local communities within the few months of their arrival.
He lauded the initiative of the volunteers to work in rural areas.
Dr Williams noted that Ghana had played a pivotal role in the advancement of peace corps.
He said presently there are 160 volunteers in Ghana with 40 per cent of them working in the educational sector.
Dr Williams expressed gratitude to Ghanaians for the way and manner they take care of the volunteers, adding: "Ghana is a wonderful home for peace corps volunteers."