China gives office equipment to Ministry of Finance

Accra, Sept. 20, GNA - Ghana and China on Tuesday signed a hand over certificate covering office equipment worth 555 million cedis, in fulfilment of a request Ghana made to the later, last year.

The equipment, consisting, 22 each of computers; printers and flash disk; eight photocopiers, 10 cartons of toners and three carton accessories were donated to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MOFEP) to help to improve the capacity of the Ministry's staff.

Dr Anthony Akoto Osei, Deputy Minister, MOFEP, who signed and exchanged certificates with the Chinese Ambassador, Mr Thang Keyun, said the gesture marked another milestone in the existing bond of cordial relations between China and Ghana.

He praised China, currently one of the most active bilateral development partners of Ghana for promptly responding to the request made last year to assist the Ministry.

Recounting Chinese assistance to Ghana, Dr Osei, said China had since December 2004 to date, provided the country with three grants totalling 56.04 billion cedis and another interest free loan of 22.19 billion cedis to be utilised in various productive sectors of the economy.

"The Chinese Government is currently providing development aid for the implementation of a number of projects in the country."

The notable among them are the reconstruction of the 16.9 kilometre Ofankor - Nsawam Road; the construction of an office building for the Ministry of Defence, the rehabilitation of the National Theatre and the construction of the Kumasi Youth Centre".

Mr Keyun said China would continue to value the traditional relationship between the two countries, which had further been enhanced under the present governments.

He pledged his country's commitment to assisting Ghana in her developmental efforts.