Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Prosper Kay
Published on 2024-02-16 10:20:23
Ghana’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Dr. Winfred Nii Okai Hammond, has encouraged Ghanaian businesses to tap into the enormous potential of the Chinese Commercial and Industry boom. Dr. Hammond made these comments in the midst of efforts to establish a direct flight from Guangzhou, China to Accra, Ghana.
According to His Excellency Dr. Winfred Nii Okai Hammond, trade volumes between Ghana and China have increased from 7 billion to 10 billion in the last three to four years. However, travel between the two countries remains a challenge, as, at some point, Ghana relied on only one airline to China.
Dr. Hammond pointed out that there are currently alternative airlines such as Turkish Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines, as well as Emirates with daily flights to China, but the lack of a direct flight remains a concern.
The Ghana Embassy has identified Guangzhou in China as the most strategic city to establish an airline connecting Accra. The city is the location of Ghana’s Consulate General and is home to a large number of Ghanaians and hundreds of thousands of West Africans who conduct business there.
Dr. Hammond emphasized that Accra, as the home of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, has become a commercial hub, making it an attractive destination. He highlighted the importance of fostering stronger economic cooperation between China and Ghana, and the significance of having a direct flight to boost business and trade ties.
The ambassador also emphasized that having a direct flight between China and Ghana will significantly cut down travel times and boost efficiency in business transactions, saving both time and money.
The Ghana embassy has been in discussions with the Finance and Transport Ministries of Ghana, and the entire government, to facilitate the establishment of a direct flight between China and Ghana.
Dr. Hammond also mentioned that China has a strong interest in supporting the development of the African Continental Free Trade Area, which is based in Ghana. He emphasized the need for a direct flight that will serve West Africa, and possibly extend further all the way to Cameroon.
He expressed that timely flights will benefit businesses and trade relations, as it will cut down transit times, with current transit times ranging from 20 to 24 hours, compared to a direct flight that could bring travel times down to 15 or 16 hours.
Additionally, Dr. Hammond highlighted the significance of enhanced cooperation between China and Ghana in various sectors, including agriculture, technology, and digitalization. He underscored the importance of leveraging China’s technological capabilities to strengthen Ghana’s economy.
In conclusion, Dr. Hammond remarked on the vital role that China has played in supporting Ghana’s economy by securing loans from the IMF. He urged Ghanaian businesses to recognize the efforts made by the government to strengthen cooperation between Ghana and China, and to take advantage of the burgeoning Chinese business climate to grow their enterprises.
In light of these efforts, Ghanaian businesses are encouraged to capitalize on this critical partnership and explore opportunities for legitimate business ventures in China. The strong and growing ties between China and Ghana present significant prospects for mutual economic growth and collaboration.
