Volta Chiefs Honour Chinese Ambassador In Ghana

The Volta Regional House of Chiefs and the Volta Region Development Agency (VODA), on Saturday held a special durbar in honour of Mr Gong Jianzhong, Chinese Ambassador in Ghana. The durbar, characterised by cultural displays, was to show appreciation for the unique relationship that has existed between Ghana and China. Togbe Afede XIV, President of the Volta Region House of Chiefs praised China for pursuing “mutually and complementary economic, trade, scientific and technical cooperation channels with developing countries, cooperated with them on international issues, and supported them in pursuing their rights and interests.” He noted that Ghana had benefitted from Chinese support since 1960 in areas of infrastructural development, technical cooperation, financial assistance and cooperation in agriculture, health and commerce among others.“Chinese investments in Ghana have been on the increase, and so has trade between the two countries. China-Ghana bilateral trade exceeded 1.6 billion dollars in 2009 and the number of projects undertaken by Chinese enterprises exceeded 400,” TogbeAfede XIV added. He, however, called for increase in the importation of food items, horticultural produce, handicrafts, and chocolate among others to China to ensure fair and balanced trade between the two nations.He said the Volta Region in particular had benefitted from “cultural and people to people exchanges” and said the Region was ready for investments, especially in the industrial and infrastructural sectors. Togbe Afede XIV described the Region as a “treasure trove” of various important minerals and urged the Chinese Government to take advantage of the “favourable investment environment, the promising natural resource sector and improved infrastructural network to invest in the Volta Region.” He sought support from the Chinese Government for the establishment of a university in the Region, the construction of an airport in Ho, development of a sea port at Keta and the expansion of social and economic infrastructure in the northern part of the Region. Mr Jianzhong said he was deeply touched by the warm reception given him and described China and Ghana as “a brother and a sister.” He assured that his tenure of office would witness closer ties between the two nations. Mr Jianzhong described the Volta Region as a “vibrant and unique city” and expressed the hope that some Chinese investors would come and invest in the Region.