Ghana’s President John Mahama has strengthened the country’s relations with China through a series of new bilateral agreements designed to boost infrastructure, trade, and sustainable development.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa hailed the outcome of the visit, saying President Mahama continues to ‘give real meaning to impactful diplomacy’.
Ablakwa said the President’s meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping delivered ‘a snapshot of notable gains’, spanning green development, industrial expansion, and women’s empowerment.
According to Ablakwa, President Mahama secured a $27.5 million grant from President Xi to fund a development project to be selected by his administration. This is in addition to an earlier $27.5 million package already earmarked for constructing a modern market in border town Aflao, bringing total Chinese grant support this year to $55 million.
‘President Xi’s latest grant brings the total to an impressive $55 million in grants to Ghana this year,’ Ablakwa wrote. ‘This underscores the strong and enduring friendship between our two nations.’
President Xi also pledged China’s continued support for major Ghanaian infrastructure projects, including upgrades to the national railway system, a second gas processing plant, and backing for Mahama’s flagship policies such as the Big Push, the 24-hour economy, and the new green city initiative.
Ablakwa said both governments agreed to deepen cooperation in protecting the environment and tackling illegal mining. ‘President Mahama and President Xi reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting sustainable environmental practices and green transitions,’ he noted.
As African Union Champion for Gender and African Financial Institutions, President Mahama also pressed for African women entrepreneurs to benefit from President Xi’s $100 million package and capacity-building drive for 50,000 women.
‘President Mahama made a compelling case for women entrepreneurs across the continent to be prioritised under this initiative,’ Ablakwa said. ‘It was a powerful moment of advocacy for inclusive growth.’
Ghana and China are on track to finalise a 0 percent tariff agreement by October 28, 2025 — a move expected to strengthen Ghana’s export competitiveness.
‘When this agreement is signed, Ghana will become only the second African country to enjoy a zero-tariff arrangement with China,’ Ablakwa wrote. ‘This will open a new era of enhanced and unimpeded trade.’
China remains Ghana’s largest bilateral trading partner, with 2024 trade volumes exceeding $11.8 bn.
Ablakwa also revealed plans for a $150 million glass-float factory to be constructed in the Western Region — the first of its kind in Ghana.
He described the overall outcome of the visit as ‘a landmark moment in President Mahama’s diplomatic journey and a clear demonstration of how proactive diplomacy can translate into tangible development outcomes for our nation.’
