Bilateral trade between Ghana and China in 2025 reached a record $14.1 billion, reflecting a 19.3 per cent year-on-year growth, according to the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Tong Defa.

Consequently, he said Ghana will continue to remain China’s largest trading partner, largely due to the hundreds of Chinese enterprises that have established a strong presence in the country. These enterprises contribute significantly to infrastructure, energy and mining, manufacturing, the digital economy, green agriculture and other key sectors, driving local industrialisation and socio-economic progress.

Similarly, he noted that Ghana would be among the first African countries with diplomatic ties with China to benefit from China’s zero-tariff treatment covering 100 per cent of tariff lines.

24-hr economy

The initiative, he explained, would further unlock Ghana’s export potential, support the 24-Hour Economy policy and open even brighter prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

The Chinese envoy, who has ended his duty tour in Ghana, said: “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 his tenure, he said he had dedicated himself to advancing practical cooperation and deepening people-to-people bonds between the two countries.

Unfinished business

Mr Defa, however, acknowledged that some endeavours remain unfinished, including visiting all regions of Ghana, establishing direct flights between China and Ghana, and introducing Chinese electric vehicle production lines.

“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,” he added.

He said over the past year and more, bilateral people-to-people exchanges had expanded quietly yet profoundly. In 2025, the Chinese Embassy processed significantly more visa applications than in the previous year, reaching a historic high.

In what he described as a farewell letter and show of appreciation to friends from various sectors in Ghana, Mr Defa said exchanges and communications between leaders of both countries had charted the course for stronger bilateral ties.

President John Dramani Mahama attended the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women in China, while former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo attended the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Beijing. During the summit, both leaders held separate meetings with President Xi Jinping, fostering friendship and pursuing shared development.

One-China principle

“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,” Mr Defa stated.

He added that China consistently supports Ghana’s Pan-African tradition and the pursuit of a modernisation path suited to its national conditions. Both countries, he said, remain steadfast in their support for multilateralism, global governance initiatives and the promotion of international fairness and justice.

Reflecting on his tenure, Mr Defa said it had been just over a year since he assumed duty as Chinese Ambassador to Ghana in August 2024, a period filled with unforgettable memories.

On the day of President Mahama’s inauguration, he recalled, the President first met the Special Envoy of President Xi Jinping. During the Chinese New Year celebrations, President Mahama also attended the Lantern Festival Gala hosted by the Chinese community.

Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang joined a reception hosted by the Embassy to mark the 76th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 65th Anniversary of China-Ghana Diplomatic Relations.

People-to-people exchange

Over the past year and more, bilateral people-to-people exchanges have expanded steadily. Events such as the Canton Fair and the China International Import Expo have attracted a growing number of Ghanaian participants.

An increasing number of young Ghanaians are pursuing studies in China, while more Chinese enterprises and tourists are visiting Ghana. Teachers and volunteers from the Confucius Institutes continue to promote Chinese language and cultural exchanges on Ghanaian campuses.

The Chinese medical team in Ghana, through compassion and professionalism, continues to provide healthcare services, strengthening the bonds between the peoples of both countries.

An ancient Chinese poem, Mr Defa noted, says: “True friendship knows no distance, as close neighbours share hearts across the miles.”

China-aided project

As Ambassador, he said he witnessed and participated in many milestones of Ghana’s development, including commissioning ceremonies for the China-aided Annex Building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Jamestown Fishing Harbour and the Ghana Armed Forces state-of-the-art office complex.

He also promoted China-aided projects such as the Aflao Market redevelopment and the University of Science and Technology in Damongo. He attended the inauguration of President Mahama, the donation ceremony of the China-Ghana Friendship Smart Classrooms and commissioning ceremonies of new production lines by Chinese enterprises.

Additionally, he participated in events such as the Africa Prosperity Dialogues, the African Political Parties Summit and the Ghana-China Climate Summit.

Nostalgic feeling

“As I depart, my heart is filled with both nostalgia and gratitude,” Mr Defa said. He recalled memorable moments at the Independence Square, the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and the Cape Coast Castle.

He expressed deep appreciation to friends in Ghana for their steadfast support and assistance to the Embassy and to him personally.

“Wherever the future may take me, Ghana—this land of dynamism and hope, and its warm and remarkable people—will remain a cherished and enduring memory of my diplomatic career,” Mr Defa concluded.