Chinese Embassy Delegation Pays Courtesy Call on Trade Minister

Accra, March 2025 – The Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Ghana, Mr. Li Yaohong, and his delegation have paid a courtesy visit to the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, at the ministry’s offices in Accra.

During the visit, Mr. Li Yaohong congratulated Hon. Ofosu-Adjare on her appointment and reaffirmed China’s commitment to strengthening economic ties with Ghana. Discussions between the two officials focused on bilateral trade, investment, financing cooperation, development assistance, and human resource capacity building.

China’s Roadmap for Strengthened Cooperation

The Chinese Counsellor outlined an extensive roadmap to deepen China-Africa relations over the next three years under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). This initiative includes ten key modernization partnership programs aimed at driving Africa’s development, with a focus on:

• Industrial cooperation
• Enhancing digital technology
• Infrastructure development to support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
• Governance and experience-sharing platforms
• Leadership training and knowledge networks

Mr. Li emphasized that China remains dedicated to boosting Africa’s economic growth through increased cooperation and investment.

Ghana Calls for Expanded Trade and Investment

Hon. Ofosu-Adjare welcomed the Chinese delegation and expressed gratitude for the continued strong bilateral relationship between Ghana and China. She highlighted China’s role as one of Ghana’s largest trading partners and a major source of foreign direct investment (FDI), as well as the largest import partner for Ghana.

The Minister urged China to expand its investment into commercial farming in Ghana and to support the government’s apprenticeship program, which forms part of Ghana’s industrialization agenda to create jobs for the youth.

Trade Facilitation and Market Access

Hon. Ofosu-Adjare also raised concerns about bureaucratic and regulatory challenges faced by Ghanaian businesses when trading with China. She proposed a Mutual Recognition Agreement between Ghana and China to facilitate easier market access for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) looking to expand into China.

“We look forward to more investments into Ghana’s manufacturing sector to unlock its full potential as a regional trade hub,” the Minister concluded.