Ghana seeks $1.2 billion Chinese support

Accra - Ghana is seeking $1.2 billion Chinese development support towards the implementation of a number of strategic projects to help speed up the pace of the country`s economic progress, Press Secretary to the President, Andrew Awuni said here Friday.

The projects include the Bui hydro dam, construction of a backbone for the telecommunication network and rural electrification.

China has already advanced $50 million for the telecommunication backbone project.

Awuni told a press briefing that Ghana had presented the Chinese authorities with the project proposals and that these would come up for discussion during the China-Africa Heads of State Summit to be held in Beijing 3-5 November.

President John Agyekum Kufuor would join about 48 other African leaders at the Summit at which China would present its programme for investment and financial support to Africa for the next five years and the specific areas it would be ready to give support.

The meeting would also discuss international politics, trade, economic and cultural development.

Awuni said from China, President Kufuor would attend the first ever Korea-Africa summit to be hosted by President Roh Moo-Hyun 7-9 November.

The two leaders would consider co-operation on the expansion and divestiture of the Tema Oil Refinery and the building of new thermal plant to generate more energy.

Kufuor would meet the United Nations Secretary-General-designate, Ban Ki-Moon.

President Kufuor would also pay a two-day working visit to Japan to confer with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and meet with Sadoko Ogata, president of JICA, as well as the presidents of Japan External Trade Organisation and Japan Chocolate and Cocoa Associations.