Ghana-China Friendship Association inaugurated in Bolgatanga


The Ghana-China Friendship Association, GHACHIFA, a group seeking to foster friendly relations and non-governmental co-operation between the two countries, had been inaugurated in Bolgatanga. 

The association aims at promoting cultural and educational exchanges, joint trade missions, networking, building business contacts, as well as strengthening bilateral relations between the governments of both countries. 

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, the Upper East Regional Minister, James Zuugah Tiigah, said China's rapid development over the past years form the basis for the friendship and obviously  there were lessons to be drawn from their achievements.  

He appealed to the business community to evaluate their capacities to be able to operate in the global economy. 

Mr Zuugah Tiigah, noted that most opportunities for Ghanaians to forge partnerships with Chinese investors in the past had been wasted, because entrepreneurs did not have the requisite know-how to match Chinese investors. 

A retired diplomat, and President of GHACHIFA, Kojo Amoo-Gottfried, said the Association was to consolidate the diplomatic relations and co-operation between Ghana and China. The vision of GHACHIFA, he said, was to become a vibrant organization throughout the country to enable the country follow the developmental path of China. 

The Chinese Ambassador in Ghana, Ms Sun Boahong, said the bilateral relations had been strengthened and deepened in political, economic, cultural and other fields in recent times, and expressed the hope that the establishment of the Ghana-China Friendship Association would play a positive role to further promote friendship and collaboration between China and Ghana. 

She noted that the Upper East Region has lots of potential in terms of agriculture and other natural resources that needed to be tapped to help reduce the high rate of youth unemployment in the region. 

Ms Boahong said the development strategies of the two countries were highly commendable and called for more exchanges between the two sides on culture, education, medical care and mass media.


GBC