Chinese President Mr. Xi Jinping, has
stated his preparedness to work with President Nana Addo Dankwa
Akufo-Addo, to ensure that relations between Ghana and China take the
lead on the African continent.
He said that the “deep historic bond”
between China and Ghana, nurtured by leaders such as Mao Zedong, Kwame
Nkrumah and others, has resulted in “a 58-year old tradition of
friendship”.
Speaking on Saturday in Beijing during
bilateral talks between him and President Akufo-Addo who is on State
Visit to China, Mr Xi Jinping acknowledged the role of President
Akufo-Addo “to the growth of China-Ghana relations”, stating, “You
(President Akufo-Addo) are an old friend of the Chinese people… and I am
ready to work with you.”
He was confident that, under their joint
leadership, Ghana and China would “enrich our friendship, take our
bonds of co-operation to new heights, and, thereby, deliver greater
benefits to our two peoples."
Describing Ghana as a “trustworthy
friend and good partner for development”, the Chinese President assured
President Akufo-Addo of his commitment “to intensify our co-operation,
give support to each other’s concerns, and ensure that China-Ghana
relations take the lead in China-Africa relations.”
To this end, the two Presidents
witnessed the signing of eight Agreements that defined the ambit of
Chinese co-operation with Ghana in the immediate years ahead.
Principal amongst them was the $2
billion Sino-Sure Framework Agreement, which will enable Sino-Hyrdo
Corporation, a subsidiary of Power China, to finance and participate in
major infrastructure, road and railway construction projects.
President Xi Jinping also indicated that
China would provide a grant of 200 million Chinese Yuan, the equivalent
of $30 million, to Ghana, to assist in the effective implementation of
the economic policies of President Akufo-Addo.
Additionally, the project embarked on by
the Chinese government to construct 1,000 boreholes across some parts
of Ghana to ensure access to potable water, would be completed.
The Chinese President also assured Ghana
of China’s commitment to financing the construction of the Jamestown
Fishing Port Complex, the expansion of the Cape Coast Sports Stadium,
the commencement of the Phase 2 expansion project of the University of
Health and Allied Sciences in Ho, and the construction of a new cocoa
processing facility, in line with President Akufo-Addo’s vision of
adding value to Ghana’s raw materials.
On defence co-operation, President Xi
Jinping announced the provision of a 50 million Chinese Yuan ($7.3
million) grant, in military assistance, which would also aid in the
construction of the headquarters of Ghana’s Armed Forces.
Furthermore, the defence co-operation,
he added, would also encompass the strengthening of Ghana’s capability
to help improve maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, training of
Ghanaian peacekeepers, strengthening the capacity of Ghana’s Police
Service, and the establishment of a legal assistance and extradition
treaty between Ghana and China.
“Such co-operation will inure to the
benefit of our two countries. We will support your country in achieving
its vision of Ghana Beyond Aid,” he added.
President Xi also pledged that his
government would encourage Chinese firms to invest in Ghana, and take
advantage of flagship programmes such as 1 District, 1 Factory,
Programme for Planting for Food and Jobs, infrastructural development
initiatives, particularly in the roads, railway and energy sectors,
amongst others.
With Ghana being the African country
with the highest number of students studying in China, the Chinese
leader stated that his country would increase the number of scholarships
to Ghana, and also advocated the deepening of collaboration between
media organisations, think tanks, and universities of the two countries.
President Xi Jinping, in highlighting
the importance of UN Reforms, urged Ghana to continue its advocacy on
the reform of the matter and reiterated China’s support to this end.
On illegal mining in Ghana, and the
involvement of some Chinese nationals in the phenomenon, the Chinese
President assured President Akufo-Addo that his government would
“co-operate with Ghana and tackle the problem”, and indicated his full
acceptance of the enforcement of Ghanaian law in the area of illegal
mining.
The Chinese President stressed the
endorsement by his Government of the vision of building a Ghana Beyond
Aid by President Akufo-Addo, and urged his Ghanaian counterpart to be
resolute in realising this vision not only for Ghana, but also for the
entire African continent, as it would lead to the growth of independent,
sovereign nations, acting in their own interests and with their own
resources, which was the example of China.
