By Francis Kobena Tandoh
The Ghana-China Friendship Association (GHACHIFA) on Tuesday marked 25 years of its existence in the West African country as well as 65 years of China-Ghana diplomatic ties, deepening their age-old relations.
The anniversary, which is being commemorated under the theme: “Marking 25 years of GHACHIFA and 65 years of enduring Ghana-China relations,” was attended by the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Tong Defa, government officials, and business executives.
Ambassador Tong praised the long-standing excellent relations between Ghana and China.
“It is with pride that I say that the China-Ghana friendship has a time-honored tradition. This friendship has taken root under the personal nurturing of the older generation of leaders of our two countries,” said Ambassador Tong.
He commended the significant role played by Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai and President Kwame Nkrumah in establishing the friendship between the two countries and stressed China’s foreign policy is founded on peace and not bullying.
“President Nkrumah once said, ‘We face neither East nor West; we face forward.’” China also always adheres to an independent foreign policy of peace and opposes cold war mentality and zero-sum games,” H.E. Tong added.
The friendship between Ghana and China, according to him, which has thrived under successive governments, continues to be deepened as the former supports the one-China principle while the latter supports Ghana’s adherence to the Pan-African tradition.
The Chinese Ambassador commended the role played by GHACHIFA over the past 25 years as a rallying point promoting bilateral friendship.
“Over the past 25 years, GHACHIFA, as one of the most influential friendly organizations and an important force promoting China-Ghana friendship, has gathered friends from all walks of life who understand China and love China. GHACHIFA has carried out many activities in the fields of economy, culture, and education, making invaluable contributions to promoting bilateral friendship,” the ambassador added.
He praised the leadership of GHACHIFA for putting together their carefully planned activities of celebration aimed at further elevating the deep relations between China and Ghana.
In a speech read on his behalf, Augustus Goosie Tanoh, Presidential Advisor on the 24-hour economy, underscored the government’s resolve to transform the Ghanaian economy vis-a-vis infrastructure reform, job creation, and other sectors.
He announced the Ghanaian government will roll out an incentive package soon to attract investors and invited Chinese friends to take advantage of it to ensure a win-win game.
“Our partnership can become a model of how international cooperation fosters national development and broader regional integration, said Tanoh.
President of GHACHIFA, H.E. Anani Demuyakor, touted the remarkable successes chalked up by the Chinese in transforming lives and urged the West African country to take a cue from the Asian country.
“We should look at areas where the Chinese have done better and adopt them for our national development,” said H.E. Demuyakor. Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
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