Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced a landmark trade agreement with China that will see all Ghanaian goods enter the Chinese market duty-free.
Following high-level discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Mr. Ablakwa hailed the agreement as “productive and impactful.” He confirmed that the deal eliminates tariffs on 100% of Ghana’s exports to China, with the goal of enhancing trade, generating employment, and empowering local businesses.
“China is already Ghana’s largest trading partner,” Mr. Ablakwa noted. “Last year alone, our bilateral trade exceeded US$11 billion. This new agreement will only deepen our economic cooperation.”
The deal was finalized during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the ongoing China-Africa Summit in Changsha, China.
Alongside the announcement of zero tariffs, Ghana and China also explored major development initiatives aimed at advancing Ghana’s economic growth. Key projects under discussion include the establishment of an electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Ghana, leveraging the country’s abundant lithium resources, and the development of a fully integrated aluminium industry built around Ghana’s bauxite reserves, supported by modern rail infrastructure.
Mr. Ablakwa revealed that both countries are preparing to sign a Special Economic Partnership Agreement to formalize and deepen their strategic cooperation.
He expressed appreciation for the enduring bond between the two nations, stating, “President Mahama’s administration is using diplomacy as a tool for national transformation.
Leaders like Kwame Nkrumah and Chairman Mao would be proud of how far Ghana-China relations have progressed since they began 65 years ago.”
