Ghana and China are considering expanding economic cooperation and commercial partnerships as trade between the two countries reached $10.2 billion in 2022.
Speaking at an event celebrating China’s National Day in Accra, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Lu Kun, expressed optimism that relations between the two countries would continue to deepen despite regional and global challenges.
The Ambassador’s remarks come as Ghana aims to boost trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Ghana’s Minister for Works and Housing, Mr Francis Asenso-Boakye, called on China to increase investment in Ghana to take advantage of the trade pact. He said Ghana provides an ideal gateway into the AfCFTA for Chinese companies.
Mr Asenso-Boakye acknowledged the long history of Ghana-China ties dating back to leaders, Mao Zedong and Kwame Nkrumah in the 1960s.
However, he noted that trade remains imbalanced and new avenues for economic cooperation must be explored.
The Minister said Ghana is creating incentives and a legal environment to facilitate Chinese business activities.
With the recent opening of a China visa application centre in Accra, Mr Asenso-Boakye expects visa access to improve for Ghanaians travelling to China for business. He said balanced trade and mutual people-to-people exchanges would yield prosperity for both nations.
As China looks to Africa for new opportunities amid slowing growth, deepening ties with Ghana appears a priority for Beijing.
With Accra laying out the welcome mat, Chinese investment and trade flow into the country are likely to increase further.
Richard Aniagyei, ISD