Diplomatic relations between China and Ghana commenced in the early 1960s; a few years after Ghana gained independence from the UK in 1957.
The two countries established a partnership shortly after Ghana became a republic in 1960. Ghana’s first President Dr Kwame Nkrumah, together with Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai laid the foundation for the long-standing relationship between China and Ghana.
China’s Premier Zhou Enlai and Vice-Premier Chen Yi visited Ghana, when they toured ten African countries from December 1963 to February 1964.
This visit was a major milestone in the China-Ghana diplomatic relations, one that has shaped the relationship between the two countries.
The relationship between China and Ghana has a considerable influence on trade in both countries; providing mutual economic benefits.
China is currently Ghana’s biggest trading partner. Data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) shows that in 2019 the trade volume between China and Ghana amounted to $7 billion.
It is against this background that the Government of the People’s Republic of China has reiterated its resolve to work with Ghana to further deepen mutual trust and practical cooperation on all fronts for the benefit of the two countries.
It will also work with other developing countries to expand global partnerships and deepen a comprehensive diplomatic agenda.
Speaking at the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Lu Kun said China cannot develop in isolation from the world, and the world also needs China for its development, adding that it will only open its door wider.
China is committed to the fundamental national policy of opening to the outside world and strives to create new opportunities for the world with its own development.
Mr. Lu Kun said his country will adhere to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence in pursuing friendship and cooperation with other countries and broadening the convergence of interests.
“With a commitment to the greater good and shared interests, China endeavors to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with other developing countries and safeguard the common interests of the developing world. We will tell China’s stories better to enhance the international community’s understanding of China,” Ambassador indicated.
He said strengthening solidarity and cooperation with African countries has been the cornerstone of China’s foreign policy. China remains Africa’s largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years. In 2021, the bilateral trade volume reached a historical 254.3 billion US dollars, up 35.3% year-on-year.
By the end of 2020, Chinese companies had invested more than 43 billion US dollars in Africa, covering highways, electricity, telecommunications and ports and many others. Chinese companies have helped African countries build and upgrade over 10,000 kilometers of railway, around 100,000 kilometers of highway, 1,000 bridges, 100 ports, and many large-scale power plants, hospitals and schools.
The Ambassador said China is prepared to invest more resources in global development cooperation, and advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, to support other developing countries in accelerating development and benefiting the people.
According to Mr. Lu Kun, China and Ghana have always been good partners, adding that Ghana is among the first in sub-Saharan Africa to establish diplomatic ties with China.
In September 2018, President Akufo-Addo paid a state visit to China and held bilateral talks with President Xi Jinping. The two leaders delineated the blueprint of the future China-Ghana relations.
“After the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, China and Ghana united and supported each other. The political mutual trust between the two countries has been enhanced significantly. We supported each other in bilateral and multilateral areas. Ghana firmly abides by the one-China principle and supported China on issues concerning China’s core interests including human rights,’’ Mr Lu Kun.
China is Ghana’s largest trading partner and major source of investment. The bilateral trade volume ranks among the highest in Africa. From January to October 2022, bilateral trade reached nearly 8.6 billion US dollars, up 10.2% year on year. Since the beginning of this year, China-aided Polytechnics, Technical and Vocational Training Centers Upgrading Project has been commissioned. Other China-aided projects including the Jamestown Fishing Port, Phase II of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Ho and the Annex Building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration are at different levels of construction.
Also, five infrastructure projects under the Master Project Support Agreement between the Ghanaian government and Sinohydro have been commissioned by President Akufo-Addo.
In the past decade, China has adhered to the philosophy of people-centered development, creating 13 million new urban jobs on average each year and a middle-income group of over 400 million people. China has put in place the world’s largest education, social security and health systems; basic old-age insurance covers 1.04 billion people; average life expectancy has risen to 78.2 years.
The Chinese Ambassador expressed gratitude to those who have been following China closely and caring about the development of China-Ghana relations.
He was excited that Ghanaian society pays high attention to the 20th National Congress of the CPC.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister of Defence Dominic Nitiwul, NPP, NDC, and many other Ghanaian sent warm congratulations to the CPC and General Secretary Xi Jinping on his re-election.
‘’The country stands firmly against all forms of hegemonism, the Cold War mentality, or interference in other countries internal affairs. China’s development strengthens the world’s forces for peace. No matter what stage of development it reaches, China will never seek hegemony or engage in expansionism.’’
