Ghana’s Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, recently met with the Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Ghana, Mr. Li Yaohong, to discuss ways to strengthen economic ties between the two nations.
Mr. Li Yaohong congratulated the Minister on her appointment and expressed China’s commitment to deepening bilateral trade, investment cooperation, financing cooperation, development assistance cooperation, and human resources capacity building.
During the meeting, Mr. Li revealed China’s extensive roadmap for bolstering cooperation with Africa over the next three years through the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). This initiative includes ten modernization partnership programs focused on industrial cooperation, digital technology enhancement, and connectivity projects to support the Africa Continental Free Trade Area.
Minister Ofosu-Adjare expressed gratitude for the Counsellor’s visit and reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with international partners. She emphasized the significance of bilateral ties between Ghana and China, which extend beyond trading in goods and services.
The Minister highlighted China’s emergence as one of Ghana’s largest trading partners and a prominent source of foreign direct investment (FDI). She called on the Chinese government to consider investments in commercial farming and support Ghana’s apprenticeship program, which aims to create jobs and employment for the youth.
To facilitate trade between Ghanaian MSMEs and the Chinese market, Minister Ofosu-Adjare requested a Mutual Recognition Agreement between the two nations. She concluded by expressing her optimism for increased investments in Ghana’s manufacturing sector, realizing its full potential as a regional hub.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
