Ghana, China Deepen Ties with Trade, Investment and New Joint Initiatives
Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, says Accra and Beijing are entering a new phase of partnership, marked by stronger diplomatic engagement, deeper economic cooperation, and far-reaching joint development initiatives.
Addressing the government’s accountability series in Accra on Monday, Ablakwa revealed that Ghana has been among the first African nations to benefit from China’s zero-tariff policy for African exports. This, he explained, has boosted trade volumes, widened Ghanaian exporters’ access to the vast Chinese market, and positioned the country to leverage its competitive advantage in cocoa, cashew, and other non-traditional exports.
“We have also opened discussions on a number of initiatives, including the establishment of electric vehicle assembling plants, bauxite-to-aluminum value addition, and the establishment of direct flights between Ghana and major Chinese cities,” the Foreign Minister said. According to him, these initiatives are designed to support Ghana’s industrialisation drive, reduce trade bottlenecks, and attract more tourists, investors, and businesspeople from Asia’s second-largest economy.
Ablakwa further praised Chinese investors for their significant contributions to transformative projects across Ghana, highlighting infrastructure development in roads, energy, and telecommunications as evidence of Beijing’s growing role in the country’s economic landscape. He noted that Chinese-backed projects have not only helped improve Ghana’s competitiveness but have also created jobs, enhanced skills transfer, and strengthened Ghana’s strategic position in the Africa–China partnership framework.
The Foreign Minister stressed that the government’s foreign policy direction is anchored on building pragmatic partnerships that deliver tangible economic benefits. Ghana’s strengthened engagement with China, he argued, is a clear demonstration of how diplomacy can be effectively deployed to unlock trade, industrial growth, and long-term development.
