Africa-Press – Ghana. — By H.E. TONG Defa, Chinese Ambassador to GhanaDear friends from all sectors in Ghana,
Time passes swiftly. It has been just over a year since I assumed the duty as Chinese Ambassador to Ghana in August 2024, a period filled with unforgettable memories. As coming the conclusion of my tenure, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and best wishes to all friends from various sectors in Ghana who care for and support the development of China-Ghana relations.
Over the past year and more, exchanges and communications between our leaders has charted the course for our bilateral ties. President John Dramani Mahama attended the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women in China, while former President Akufo-Addo attended the 2024 FOCAC Summit in Beijing, where both leaders held meetings with President Xi Jinping respectively, fostering friendship and pursuing shared development.
On the very day of his inauguration, President Mahama first met the Special Enovy of President Xi Jinping. During the Chinese New Year, President Mahama also gladly attended the Lantern Festival Gala hosted by the Chinese community. Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang joined the Reception held by the Embassy celebrating the 76th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 65th Anniversary of China-Ghana Diplomatic Relations. These heartwarming moments of celebrations together with peoples of both nations serve as a vivid testament to the enduring friendship between China and Ghana.
Over the past year and more, our political trust has grown stronger with time. Ghana firmly adheres to the one-China principle and has spoken out justly on issues such as human rights. China also consistently supports Ghana’s Pan-African tradition and the pursuit of a modernization path suited to its national conditions. Together, both sides remain steadfast in their support for multilateralism, advance Global Governance Initiatives, and uphold international fairness and justice.
Over the past year and more, the practical cooperation between our two nations has deepened and flourished. China remains Ghana’s largest trading partner and a major source of investment. In 2025, bilateral trade reached a record $14.1 billion, reflecting an 19.3% year-on-year growth. Hundreds of Chinese enterprises have established a strong presence in Ghana, contributing to infrastructure, energy and mining, manufacturing, digital economy, green agriculture, and other key sectors, driving local industrialization and social-economic progress.
Particularly encouraging is that Ghana will be among the first African countries with diplomatic ties with China to benefit from China’s zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines. The initiative will further unlock Ghana’s export potential, support the 24-Hour Economy, and open even brighter prospects for mutual-beneficial cooperation between our two countries.
Over the past year and more, bilateral people-to-people exchanges have expanded quietly yet profoundly. In 2025, the Embassy processed significantly more visa applications than last year and reached a historic high. Events such as the Canton Fair and the China International Import Expo have drawn a growing number of Ghanaian friends.
More and more young Ghanaians are pursuing their studies in China, while an increasing number of Chinese enterprises and tourists have come to Ghana. Teachers and volunteers of the Confucius Institutes have worked with dedication, promoting exchanges of Chinese language and culture on Ghanaian campuses. The Chinese medical team in Ghana, with their compassion and professional skills, continue to heal the sick and comfort the suffering, writing new chapters in the boundless love between our two peoples.
An ancient Chinese poem once said: “True friendship knows no distance, as close neighbors share hearts across the miles.” As Ambassador, I have the honor to witness and participate in many remarkable moments of Ghana’s development. I attended various commissioning ceremonies including the China-aid Annex Building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Jamestown Fishing Harbour, and Ghana Armed Forces State-of-the-Art Office Complex.
I also actively promoted China-aided projects including the Aflao Market and the University of Science and Technology in Damongo. I was also present at the inauguration of President Mahama, the donation ceremony of the China-Ghana Friendship Smart Classrooms, and commissioning ceremony of new production lines of Chinese enterprises. Among others, I attended the Africa Prosperity Dialogues, the African Political Parties Summit, and the Ghana-China Climate Summit.
Each exchange with friends in Ghana has allowed me to further appreciate the sincere goodwill and genuine warmth of the Ghanaian people. This bond has been a constant source of inspiration for me to understand that “China-Ghana friendship” is not just a grand narrative between nations, but a heartfelt connection between our peoples, thriving together in shared respect and mutual appreciation.
Three decades ago, I first visited Ghana and witnessed the golden vibrancy of the “Gold Coast”. Today, as I conclude my term and prepare to depart, I bid farewell to a nation brimming with vitality and progress. Throughout my tenure, I have dedicated myself to advancing practical cooperation and deepening people-to-people bonds between our two countries.
Yet, some endeavors remain unfinished—such as visiting all regions of this great nation, establishing direct flights between China and Ghana, introducing Chinese electric vehicle production lines, etc. I sincerely hope that friends across Ghana will continue to support the Embassy, contribute to the flourishing relationship between our nations, and witness the remarkable achievements of the China-Ghana strategic partnership.
As I depart, my heart is filled with both nostalgia and gratitude. I will always remember the solemnity and pride embodied by the Black Star at the Independence Square, the echoes of history at the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, and the profound reflections on freedom and dignity at the Castle of Cape Coast. I extend my deepest appreciation to all friends in Ghana for the steadfast support and invaluable assistance rendered to the Embassy and to me personally. Wherever the future may take me, Ghana—this land of dynamism and hope, and its amicable and remarkable people—will remain a cherished and enduring memory of my diplomatic career.
May China and Ghana prosper and their peoples enjoy happiness and well-being!
May the friendship between our two nations endure and flourish across generations!
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Ghana
H.E. TONG Defa
Source: Ghana News Agency
