Ghana president hails fruitful cooperation with China

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03:11

Ahead of the summit of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), CGTN held an exclusive interview with the president of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, who speaks highly of bilateral ties and is looking forward to more fruitful outcomes from the upcoming summit.

China is Ghana's biggest trading partner

President Nana Akufo-Addo says it’s been one year and a half since he assumed office. During the period Ghana has managed to raise its GDP growth rate from 3.6 percent to 8.5 percent.

Today China is Ghana’s biggest trading partner. And China is cooperating with the west African country across several sectors, including agriculture, industrialization, infrastructure, health and education.

Nana Akufo-Addo, president of Ghana, is interviewed by CGTN at Jubilee House, the presidential palace in Accra. /CGTN Photo

"There are many examples of benefits to us from China. And on top of that, Chinese companies are proving to be very successful in their contribution to the development of our economy," he said. "So I am very hopeful that the relationship between Ghana and China is going to grow stronger and stronger in the years ahead.

Black Star Square, a landmark in Ghana’s capital Accra. /CGTN Photo

'Looking forward' to visiting Beijing for FOCAC Summit 2018

"We believe the cooperation with China can give us great value, China too, gets its benefits from the cooperation with Africa. And this mutuality between us and China, Africa and China, is going to be consolidated when we come to Beijing."

President Akufo-Addo continued, "I am looking forward very much to meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping when I come to China. I like Beijing very much. I've been there a few times.

Accra Sports Stadium. /CGTN Photo

"President Xi Jinping talked about the common destiny for mankind, I think is a very positive statement for a country which today is now the second largest economy in the world. Our international relations, which stresses the common ties, common linkages, the common purpose that exist between our two peoples. It’s something extremely positive."

Ghana benefited from China's "Top 10 Cooperation Program" with Africa

At the 2015 Johannesburg Summit of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a "Top Ten Cooperation Program" for China and Africa, and provided 60 billion US dollars in funding for this purpose. President Akufo-Addo says his people benefited from these projects.

A fishing port in Accra /CGTN Photo

"We've received some important benefits, first of all, some 2.3 billion dollars' worth of loans in infrastructure, power and education. We also received the last sum of money which helps us revive some important fishing communities along our coast. These places and harbors are being revitalized thanks to China’s assistance," he said.

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