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The People’s Republic of China Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. TONG Defa has revealed that Ghana remains China’s largest trade partner and main source of investment.
Speaking at the reception held at his residence in Accra to mark the National Day of China and his assumption of office as the China’s Ambassador to Ghana last week, Mr. Tong listed a number of investments and trade ties between the two countries.
“Trade and economic ties continues to strengthen. China remains Ghana’s largest trading partner and main source of investment. In 2023, the bilateral trade volume exceeded 11 billion US dollars, increasing 10.4% year on year. In the first half of 2024, trade volume has reached nearly 6 billion US dollars, an increase of 13.3%. China-aided projects are progressing steadily,” Mr. Tong reveled
Counting some of the projects currently completed and others which are on-going, Mr. Tong mentioned that, “the Phase II Project of University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) was commissioned in August.”
“And just last week, I had the honor to attend the handover ceremony of Jamestown Fishing Port Complex Project. The China-aided annex building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration is also scheduled to be completed within this year,” he said.
Mr. Tong Defa said China’s local investment keep growing in Ghana, adding that the single largest investment in Ghana over the decade is Sentuo Oil Refinery which is owned by Chinese was commissioned in January, worth nearly US$2 billion.
The Ambassador enumerated some of the China-invested companies in Ghana which include Sunon-Asogli Power Limited, Africa World Airlines, steel companies, ceramic companies and cement factories shopping malls have all deeply integrated into the local society to benefit the people and boost industrialization.
Ambassador Tong Defa also narrated how China has collaborated with Ghana in the areas of human building capacity in both education, health, tourism, business and diplomatic fields.
“People-to-people exchanges keep bearing fruits. Last December, the Confucius Institute at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) was inaugurated, becoming the third Confucius Institute in Ghana, along with the ones in the University of Ghana and the University of Cape Coast.”
“Tens of thousands of Ghanaian students are learning Chinese, and by the end of 2023, there were approximately 4,600 Ghanaian students studying in China. This ranks Ghana as the third among African countries. Also throughout the year, more than 9,000 Ghanaian friends have visited China for tourism, business, and study or official purposes. China has sent 13 batches of medical teams to Ghana, which has gained wide popularity,” he noted
Concluding his remarks, Mr. Tong added that “and I am confident that with joint efforts of both sides, China-Ghana relations will grow even stronger and closer.”
In attendance were President of the Republic of Ghana, President Akufo-Addo, the National Security Minister, Mr. Kan-Dapaah, government officials, Diplomats, Chinese nationals and other invited guests.
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By: www.frontpageghana.com/Ghana
