President John Dramani Mahama today received the outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Tong Defa, in a cordial farewell audience. The President commended Ambassador Tong for his instrumental role in deepening the strong bilateral relations between Ghana and China during his tenure.
“You haven’t just been an ambassador or diplomat; you have been a friend, and I am truly saddened to see you go. Our relations with China remain excellent,” President Mahama remarked.
The President also extended gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping for China’s support in Ghana’s debt restructuring negotiations and for significant developmental contributions, highlighting a $30 million grant for the Aflao Market Project and another $30 million for a new Science and Technology University in Damango. He further emphasized the desire for enhanced collaboration in logistics, anti-terrorism training, and border surveillance to ensure national security.
In his remarks, Ambassador Tong lauded President Mahama’s achievements in the first year of his tenure, particularly in revitalizing Ghana’s economy. He called for continued cooperation between the two nations in industry, trade, mining, and science and technology.
Ambassador Tong also revealed that the China zero-tariff arrangement for Ghanaian exports would soon be operationalized and appealed to President Mahama for Ghana’s support of China’s bid to host the Secretariat of the new United Nations treaty on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction.