By James Amoh Junior
Accra, July 28, GNA – China has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding defence cooperation with Ghana through military training, infrastructure development, equipment support and humanitarian collaboration.
The renewed commitment comes as Ghana and China pursue closer bilateral engagement in defence and security, including military education and institutional capacity building.
Mr Cong Song, China’s Ambassador to Ghana, gave the assurance at a reception in Accra marking the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
He said defence cooperation remained a key pillar of relations between the two countries, which were founded on mutual trust, respect and practical cooperation.
“The political mutual trust continues to deepen. China and Ghana are good friends, partners and brothers, and the prospects for cooperation in various fields remain broad,” he said.
Mr Cong said China would continue implementing the outcomes of the meeting between President Xi Jinping and President John Dramani Mahama in Beijing last year to strengthen bilateral cooperation and support Ghana’s development priorities.
He said bilateral trade reached US$14.1 billion in 2025, representing a 19.3 per cent increase over the previous year.
The Ambassador said the People’s Liberation Army continued to contribute to international peace through United Nations peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance and security cooperation.
He said that China remained committed to multilateralism and initiatives promoting peace and stability.
Mr Ernest Brogya Genfi, Deputy Minister for Defence, said Ghana valued its longstanding defence partnership with China, describing it as an important contributor to the modernisation of the Ghana Armed Forces.
He said cooperation had expanded through military infrastructure, professional training, military education and logistics support.
“The Ministry of Defence Headquarters remains a lasting testament to this enduring partnership, and we thank the Chinese Government for that support,” he said.
Mr Genfi said more than nine military infrastructure projects were completed with Chinese support in 2025, including facilities at Shai Hills, Nutekpor, Akyem Akroso and Bundase.
He said Ghana was also working with China on facilities for the proposed National College of Defence Studies, while Parliament had approved legislation establishing the National Defence University of Ghana.
Mr Genfi announced that the Chinese naval hospital ship, Peace Ark, was expected to visit Ghana later this year to provide medical services and humanitarian assistance.
“Our partnership extends beyond military cooperation. It is built on mutual understanding and respect, and we must continue working together to address emerging security challenges confronting the West African sub-region,” he said.
Colonel Dou Yan, Chinese Defence Attaché to Ghana, said military cooperation between the two countries had expanded to include personnel training, equipment support, maritime cooperation, infrastructure development and United Nations peacekeeping.
He said the Chinese naval hospital ship, Peace Ark (Hull 868), had begun its “Harmonious Mission 2026” deployment to Africa and South Asia and was expected to arrive in Ghana at the end of October.
Col. Dou said China remained committed to strengthening military cooperation through dialogue and mutual trust, adding that the Chinese military had deployed more than 50,000 personnel to 26 United Nations peacekeeping missions since 1990.
He said China also continued to support African Union peace and security initiatives, including the “Silencing the Guns” agenda.
Ghana established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China on July 5, 1960. Defence cooperation between the two countries includes military infrastructure, training, equipment support, peacekeeping and professional military education.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
28 July 2026
Reporter: James Amor Junior
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