President Kufuor in Liaoning, China

President J. A. Kufuor has extended his investment promotion tour of China to the Liaoning Provincial Capital of Shenyang, where he is exploring opportunities for possible co-operation with companies to revamp the entire railway network in Ghana.

He is also targeting food processing companies which can be of assistance to Ghanaian companies interested in food processing as part of the overall government objective to ensure food security in the country.

President Kufuor, who arrived in Shenyang after a two-hour flight from Shanghai, quickly went into business and held discussions with officials of the Shenyang Locomotive and Rolling Stock Company Limited about how the company could help develop Ghana’s railway system. Shenyang city with a population of more than 6.8 million is the largest city and transportation hub of the North-eastern part of China.

Speaking at the meeting, President Kufuor said Ghana abounds in many resources which need to be exploited for her development. He said the exploitation of such resources require a good transportation system.

President Kufuor said the country’s colonial masters developed the railway network in order to exploit the many natural resources available at the time. “Unfortunately, the rail network has not undergone any major expansion for a long time”, he said.

President Kufuor indicated that the government is determined to carry out a major infrastructure development and expressed the country’s willingness to enter into partnership with the company to redevelop the railway system.

Mr Miao Haang Sheng, Chairman of the Board and General Manager of the Shenyang Locomotive and Rolling Stock Co Ltd, said the company, which is the largest railway freight car overhaul entity in Asia, has a prominent superiority in design, manufacture and overhaul of coaches, locomotives and cranes.

He expressed the hope that the company can co-operate with the Ghana Government since it is under state control. President Kufuor also visited Shenyang Land D, a food processing company in Shenyang.

Mr Yang Hai, Managing Director of the company who briefed the President and his entourage, conducted them round to inspect the production line and processed foods.

Later in the evening, the Governor of Liaoning met the President and his entourage to welcome them officially to Shenyang. He said Ghana and China have had friendly relationship for a long time.

He recalled that Ghana voted for China’s inclusion on the membership of the UN Security Council in 1971 and said such a good friend cannot be forgotten.

President Kufuor recalled that as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1971, he was delegated by the then government to cast a vote in favour of China for her inclusion on the permanent membership of the UN Security Council.