Chinese, Ghanaian presidents announce elevation of bilateral ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Thursday announced the elevation of China-Ghana ties to a strategic partnership.

The two presidents made the announcement during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Akufo-Addo is in the Chinese capital for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Noting that Ghana was the second country in sub-Saharan Africa to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, Xi said the two countries have seen steadfast friendship over the past 64 years despite changes in the international landscape.

China is ready to carry forward the profound friendship established by the past generations of leaders from both countries to continue to enhance political mutual trust, advance exchanges and cooperation in various fields with Ghana, and be good friends who trust each other, good partners who pursue development together and good brothers who collaborate with each other, he said.

Xi said China is willing to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Ghana and to continue providing assistance to the best of its ability to Ghana.

China stands ready to expand cooperation with Ghana in the fields of agriculture, fisheries, energy, mineral resources and infrastructure and hopes that Ghana will continue to offer support and facilitation to Chinese enterprises and citizens, he said.

China supports Ghana in its work as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2024-2026 term and is ready to enhance strategic coordination with Ghana on international and regional issues, Xi said.

Akufo-Addo said China has been Ghana's most reliable friend and partner over the past more than 60 years.

Ghana values the friendly relations between the two countries, commits to the one-China principle and supports China's positions on various issues, including human rights, he said.

Akufo-Addo thanked China for its long-standing support, noting that Chinese investment and cooperation have significantly contributed to Ghana's economic and social development.

He expressed the hope of deepening collaboration with China in areas such as electricity, minerals, and new energy and said that Ghana is ready to facilitate Chinese businesses in the country.

Akufo-Addo called Xi's proposal of the 10 partnership actions to jointly advance modernization with Africa highly visionary and said Ghana is ready to implement them with China and committed to be steadfast friends and partners for each other.