The governments of China, Australia, and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation with Ghana, pledging support for the country’s economic transformation agenda.
During a courtesy visit to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Tong Defa, commended President John Dramani Mahama’s leadership and policies, describing them as forward-thinking and innovative.
“We have been longstanding partners, and China remains Ghana’s largest trading partner and one of the biggest investors in the country,” Ambassador Defa stated. “President Mahama’s speech at the Chinese Lantern Festival was inspiring, and we stand ready to support his administration’s agenda for economic growth and transformation.”
The minister highlighted key government initiatives such as the ‘Tree for Life’ and ‘Blue Water’ projects, which present investment opportunities in the forestry and water resource management sectors. He also underscored the government’s strategy to transition from resource extraction to resource refinement, calling on Chinese investors to participate in the revitalization of the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO).
In separate meetings, the Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E. Berenice Owen-Jones, and the US Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Virginia E. Palmer, also pledged their respective governments’ support for Ghana’s economic and environmental initiatives.
Discussions with the Australian envoy focused on lessons from Australia’s world-leading mining industry. Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah outlined challenges within Ghana’s mining sector, including illegal mining, and sought Australia’s expertise in addressing these concerns. In response, H.E. Owen-Jones assured Ghana of Australia’s willingness to provide technical and logistical assistance to strengthen sustainable mining practices.
Meanwhile, US Ambassador Virginia Palmer commended Ghana’s efforts in forest conservation and expressed interest in further collaboration, particularly through programs like Women in Afforestation. She emphasized the US government’s readiness to assist in the restoration of degraded lands and water bodies.
The Minister reiterated Ghana’s commitment to fostering stronger diplomatic and economic ties with China
