Ghana, China sign agreement for $3.6mn grant

Accra, May 30, GNA - Ghana and China on Tuesday signed an agreement for a 30-million Yuan (about 3.6 million dollars) grant for economic and technical cooperation projects to be discussed by both governments. Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning signed for Ghana, while Mr Zhang Keyaun, Chinese Ambassador in Ghana signed for his country at the Castle, Osu.

The signing ceremony took place after a 12-member delegation from the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) on a three-day visit to Ghana had paid a courtesy call on President John Agyekum Kufuor.

President Kufuor said the relationship between Ghana and China should not only be at the Governmental level but between the peoples as well and commended the relationship between the CPPCC and Ghana's Parliament.

" I foresee a bright future to improve relations between both countries," he added.

President Kufuor said, "to Ghana, the world without China is not complete and this is what propelled Ghana to vote for China in 1971 to the UN Security Council."

He said Ghana had not regretted for supporting China since that time and was appreciative of the cordial relationship and support from China.

Mr. Wang Zhongyu, Executive Vice-Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, who led the delegation said the grant was for development projects in Ghana and to promote cooperation between both countries. He commended Ghana for her friendship, cooperation and support to China since the 1950's and on international relations.

Mr. Wang mentioned, especially Ghana's support to the inclusion of China on the United Nations Security Council in 1971 that had made Ghana and Africa a friend to China.

Mr Ebenezer Sekyi Hughes, Speaker of Parliament said the visit was reciprocal to a visit by a delegation from Ghana's Parliament in August 2002.