China, Ghana hold academic seminar to celebrate 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations

The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Ghanaian Embassy in China jointly held an online academic seminar celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. This seminar was highly valued by the two sides.

Ghana’s Vice President MahamuduBawumia and Foreign Minister Shirley AyorkorBotchway, CPAFFC chairman Lin Songtian, and other representatives delivered online speeches, reviewing the traditional friendship between China and Ghana and looking forward to the bright future of the two nations.
Bawumia first conveyed the greetings of President of the Republic of Ghana Nana AddoDankwaAkufo-Addo. “Ghana established diplomatic relations with China shortly after becoming a republic in July 1960, one of the first African countries to do so,” the vice president said, adding that the personal friendship between the first president of Ghana, President Nkrumah, and Chairman Mao Zedong laid a strong foundation for the burgeoning relations between the two countries at the time.
“Over the years, the relations between the two countries have been nurtured and strengthened by successive Ghanaian and Chinese leaders as well as by the people of both countries.”

Ghana’s Vice President MahamuduBawumia speaks during a panel discussion on the State of the Africa Region at the World Bank IMF Spring Meetings. /VCG

On the economic, trade and investment fronts, he emphasized that the two countries have deepened cooperation. “China is currently the largest investor in Ghana by the number of registered projects,” he emphasized.
Bawumia also mentioned that the two countries have continued to cooperate at the multilateral level “as they work together to ensure a just, equitable and peaceful international order.”
He said that while the two nations take stock of the achievements of Sino-Ghanaian relations over the years, it is still important to explore new areas of cooperation in the years ahead.
“Ghana is leveraging its status as host of the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA). Chinese investors are, therefore, urged to take advantage of this development and the conducive business environment in Ghana to serve as a springboard to access the continental market,” he said.
“The Belt and Road Initiative espoused by President Xi Jinping also presents new diplomatic and economic opportunities for Ghana. It could transform our financial, manufacturing and technology sectors by connecting Ghana to new markets across the globe,” he continued.
Botchway also mentioned that “Ghana was one of the first countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to establish diplomatic relations with China in July 1960.” Since then, Sino-Ghanaian friendship and cooperation have grown from strength to strength as exemplified by high-level visits, economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges and cultural partnerships, she added.

A bilateral meeting is held between Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) and Ghana’s Foreign Minister Shirley AyorkorBotchway in Beijing, June 25, 2019. /Photo via Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

“Apart from our longstanding and exemplary relations, our two nations continue to cooperate at the multilateral level and within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road Initiative,” she said.

When talking about the pandemic, she emphasized that China and Ghana have collaborated and offered each other support and solidarity in the global fight against COVID-19.

“China was the first country to donate lifesaving medical equipment to assist Ghana and other West African countries in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.
This gesture was a testament of the enduring relationship between China and Africa, which is anchored on the principles of respect, sincerity, equality, mutual benefit, solidarity and common development, she added.

“Indeed, in the immediate aftermath of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, African countries led the way in offering solidarity to China. The president and vice president of Ghana sent personal solidarity messages to their Chinese counterparts, so did I to my Chinese counterpart, Mr. Wang Yi.”
Lin Songtian also reviewed the development of Sino-Ghanaian relations, spoke highly of the fruitful achievements China and Ghana had achieved in the 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, and appreciated that China-Ghana relations have become a model of equality, mutual trust, win-win cooperation and common development between China and Africa.

Cgtn.com