President John Dramani Mahama today hosted the outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Tong Defa, at the Jubilee House, commending him for deepening bilateral ties between Ghana and China during his tenure.
“You haven’t just been an ambassador or diplomat, you have been a friend, and I’m sad to see you go. Of course, our relations with China are excellent,” President Mahama remarked.
The President expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping for China’s role in Ghana’s debt restructuring efforts and its continued support for national development. He cited a $30 million grant for the Aflao Market Project and another $30 million earmarked for the establishment of a new Science and Technology University in Damango.
President Mahama also called for enhanced cooperation in logistics, anti-terrorism training, and border surveillance to prevent infiltration and strengthen national security. He proposed the establishment of a payment and settlement system between the two countries to facilitate smoother financial transactions.
Ambassador Tong congratulated President Mahama on the achievements of his first year in office, particularly in stabilising Ghana’s economy. He advocated for deeper collaboration in industry, trade, mining, and science and technology.
He further announced that China’s zero-tariff arrangement for Ghanaian exports would soon be operationalised, and appealed for Ghana’s support for China’s bid to host the Secretariat of the new United Nations treaty on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction.
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