Today marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Ghana. Ghana was one of the earliest African countries to establish diplomatic ties with China.
Over the years, the two nations have built a strong and growing bilateral relationship, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, and infrastructure development. As the milestone is observed, China’s Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Tong Defa, described the partnership as “the opening of a new chapter of China-Ghana friendly cooperation in the new era.”
China has become a key economic partner to Ghana, with significant trade volumes and increasing investments across multiple sectors. The diplomatic relationship dates back to 1960 and has since been shaped by numerous high-level exchanges and cooperation agreements.
The foundation of this long-standing friendship was laid by leaders such as Chairman Mao Zedong, Premier Zhou Enlai, and Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. Notably, during his visit to Ghana in 1964, Premier Zhou proposed the Eight Principles for China’s Economic Aid and Technical Assistance to other countries.
In 1971, Ghana voted in favour of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, which restored the lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China at the UN. That vote was cast by then Deputy Foreign Minister and future President John Agyekum Kufuor.
Over the past six and a half decades, China and Ghana have strengthened their relationship through political trust, high-level exchanges, and expanding cooperation. Today, hundreds of Chinese enterprises operate in Ghana, investing in infrastructure, manufacturing, mining, aviation, green energy, and petroleum refining. These investments have created substantial employment opportunities and contributed to Ghana’s industrialization and energy security.
China has also made contributions to Ghana’s education and health sectors, further deepening the bonds of cooperation.
Ambassador Tong Defa expressed optimism about the future of the partnership, stating that under the leadership of President Xi Jinping and President John Mahama, the two nations will continue to strengthen ties and build what he described as an “All-Weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era.”
As both countries reflect on their journey, the ambassador added, “The fertile soil of friendship awaits the nurturing of new buds.”