President John Dramani Mahama has paid glowing tribute to the outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Tong Defa, describing him as a true friend of Ghana whose tenure significantly deepened bilateral relations between Accra and Beijing.
Receiving the ambassador in farewell audience at the Presidency on Tuesday, President Mahama praised Mr Tong for his role in strengthening the long-standing partnership between the two countries.
“You haven’t just been an ambassador or a diplomat; you have been a friend, and I’m sad to see you go. Of course, our relations with China are excellent,” the President remarked.
President Mahama also expressed Ghana’s appreciation to Chinese President Xi Jinping for China’s support during Ghana’s debt restructuring process and for its continued development assistance.
He cited a US$30 million grant for the Aflao Market Project and another US$30 million allocation towards the construction of a new Science and Technology University in Damango as key examples of China’s commitment to Ghana’s development.
The President called for expanded cooperation between the two countries, particularly in logistics, security training, and border surveillance.
“We want to see greater cooperation with China in terms of logistics, in terms of training to move on anti-terrorism, and in terms of building surveillance along our borders to ensure that there is no infiltration into these areas,” he said.
President Mahama also proposed the establishment of a payment and settlement system between Ghana and China to facilitate trade and investment.
For his part, Ambassador Tong Defa congratulated President Mahama on what he described as notable successes in the first year of his administration, especially efforts aimed at stabilising and revitalising Ghana’s economy.
He underscored the need to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries in key areas such as industry, trade, mining, and science and technology.
Ambassador Tong revealed that China’s zero-tariff arrangement for Ghanaian exports would soon be operationalised, a move expected to boost Ghana’s access to the Chinese market.
He also appealed to President Mahama for Ghana’s support for China’s bid to host the Secretariat of the new United Nations Treaty on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
