Coronavirus: Chinese Amb. hands over US$200,000 donation for Ghana’s fight

On March 29th, 2020, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana H.E. Shi Ting WANG, on behalf of two Chinese invested companies which are Sunon Asogli Power Ghana Ltd and Africa World Airlines Ltd (AWA), donated US$200,000 to the Ghanaian government for its fight against COVID- 19. Hon. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, the Chief of Staff, received the donation for the Ghanaian government.

The two companies, Sunon Asogli Power and AWA, have offered to donate US$100,000 each, which is US$200,000 in total. President of the National House of Chiefs His Royal Majesty Togbe Afede XIV, Chairman of Sunon Agosli power Ghana Ltd Mr. Yang Qun, Co- chairman of Africa World Airlines Ltd Mr. Luo Cheng attended the ceremony.

Ambassador Wang emphasized that although the COVID-19 first outbroke massively in China, it does not mean that the origin of the virus is China. Under President Xi Jinping’s leadership, the whole nation has been fighting an all-out people’s war against the epidemic and seen positive changes. In the nation of 1.4 billion population, the number of new domestic transmission cases has become nearly zero.

Ambassador Wang expressed his concerns about the COVID-19 epidemic in Ghana. He commended highly on Ghana’s efforts to flatten the epidemic and also the two companies for their timely supports.

The Chinese Ambassador also gave special thanks to Togbe Afede XIV, President of National House of Chiefs , because the latter is the co- founder of the two companies and a good friend of China.

Ambassador Wang said that virus respects no boundaries. There is only one earth and we are the community with shared future.

Though hard hit itself, China will do its utmost to support Ghana for the fight against COVID-19. Last week, with the assistance of the Chinese Embassy, Ghana took delivery of its consignment of PPEs and test kits donated by Jack Ma Foundation.

The donation includes 100,000 masks, 1,000 medical use protective suits, 1,000 face shields, and 20,000 testing kits Ambassador Wang said, In addition to Sunon Agosli and AWA, the other Chinese companies in Ghana, facilitated by Chinese Embassy, are also expressing their willing to make donations to Ghana.

"And what’s more, the aid from Chinese government is on its way as well. Hon. Chief of Staff and Hon. Health Minister and dear friends, I would like to assure you, that more supports is coming from China to Ghana."

Before conclusion, Ambassador Wang expressed his firm belief that Ghana will weather the storm and, tested by the epidemic, the course for building an even stronger China-Ghana and China-Africa community with a shared future will be injected greater momentum.

Hon. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, the Chief of Staff, commended China’s progress in epidemic control and spoke highly of Ghana-China cooperation, in particular, the two Chinese invested companies Sunon Asogli Power and AWA. She expressed thanks to the supports by China.

Calling China’s efficient response and the heroism of the Chinese people admirable, the Chief of Staff said that Ghana, always China's reliable friend, would like to learn from China’s experiences on curbing the epidemic and return to normal as soon as possible.

Sunon Asogli Power (Ghana) Limited is the biggest Chinese investments in Ghana.

The project is a modern, high efficient, environmentally friendly, natural gas fuel combine cycle power plant situated at Tema and, over the years, provided stable power output, comprising 20%-25% of Ghana’s overall power supply. Africa World Airlines Limited is a joint venture incorporated in 2010.

Since its incorporation and flight commencement, AWA has seen rapid fleet development, provided safe and comfortable service to passengers, linked several major cities of Ghana and improved West Africa regional connectivity.