Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has called for a major shift in Ghana’s trade relationship with China, urging greater investment in local processing, manufacturing, technology transfer and job creation.
Speaking at the opening of the Fifth Session of the Ghana–China Joint Commission on Economic, Trade, and Technical Cooperation, Dr. Forson acknowledged China as Ghana’s largest trading partner but said the structure of bilateral trade must change to deliver greater value to the Ghanaian economy.
“China is now Ghana’s largest trading partner, but the structure must improve,” he said.
The Finance Minister said Ghana wants to process more of its raw materials locally and increase exports of value-added products, particularly processed cocoa, to the Chinese market.
He called for Chinese investments that establish processing plants and manufacturing facilities, transfer technology, source goods and services from Ghanaian businesses, and train local workers.
Dr. Forson stressed that the economic partnership should create sustainable jobs and expand opportunities for Ghanaian businesses and workers rather than leaving the country dependent on exporting raw materials.
China’s Assistant Minister of Commerce, Zhang Li, who is on his first visit to Ghana, welcomed the government’s recent economic progress and expressed China’s commitment to strengthening economic and commercial cooperation.
He also pledged support for Ghana’s Big Push Programme and other priority development initiatives.
The discussions come as Ghana seeks to deepen its economic relationship with China while encouraging more domestic value addition, industrialisation and local participation in international trade.