Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, is currently leading a high-level delegation at the Ministerial Coordination Meeting on the Implementation of Follow-Up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), taking place from June 11 to 13 in Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province.
The session precedes the opening of the 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE), a major platform aimed at boosting cooperation between the world’s largest developing economy and the African continent.
The Ministerial Meeting has drawn representatives from 53 African countries including Ghana and top Chinese officials to review progress made since the last FOCAC summit and to strengthen partnerships in security, finance, trade, rule of law, and sustainable development.
During the opening ceremony, a speech from Chinese President Xi Jinping was delivered by Foreign Minister Wang Yi. President Xi welcomed African delegates and commended the enduring commitment of African nations to collaborate with China on critical global issues.
Wang Yi reiterated Beijing’s resolve to enhance South-South cooperation and advocated for greater unity in tackling global inequality, while pledging continued support for Africa’s development agenda.
Wang emphasized strategic sectors including food security, industrialization, digital innovation, capacity building, and the promotion of mutual trade.
He highlighted China’s dedication to expanding market access for African goods and accelerating shared modernization efforts through the alignment of development policies.
Representing Ghana alongside the Foreign Minister were Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry; Hon. Alhassan Suhuyini, Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways; Hon. John Setor Dumelo, Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture; and Dr. Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, Chair of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs. The team also includes officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Parliament.
Ghana’s active engagement underscores its policy focus on multilateral cooperation and economic diplomacy, particularly in trade, youth empowerment, agribusiness, and sustainable industrial partnerships.
The participation also reflects the government’s long-term vision of positioning Ghana as a hub for investment and regional trade integration.
Meanwhile, the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo officially opened yesterday Thursday, June 12, with more than 4,700 Chinese and African companies in attendance.
Over 30,000 participants are expected at the four-day event, themed “China and Africa: Together Toward Modernization.” According to organizers, preliminary agreements worth more than US$11 billion have already been reached.
The expo features dedicated zones showcasing technological innovations in mining, agriculture, energy, and construction.
It also introduces new exhibitions highlighting traditional Chinese medicine, African products, tourism, and notable China-Africa cooperative brands.
Several African leaders, including Ugandan Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Liberian Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, and Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, addressed the opening session.
They called for more inclusive and resilient China-Africa partnerships that focus on infrastructure, trade, innovation, and youth entrepreneurship, especially in the face of climate change and global supply chain disruptions.
Since 2009, China has remained Africa’s top trading partner. In 2024 alone, bilateral trade exceeded previous records, and the trend continues into 2025, as both sides aim to align their development trajectories through deeper economic cooperation.
