Ghana Attends World Expo 2010

GHANA'S PARTICIPATION in the World Expo 2010 at Shanghai, China, has officially been launched.

Gifty Ohene-Konadu, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry, Private Sector Development and President's Special Initiative, who performed the official launch at Koforidua, said Ghana's participation would afford her the opportunity to exchange experiences on urban development and explore new approaches to human habitat, lifestyle and working conditions in the new century.

While the exposition would be on the theme, “Better City, Better Life”, Ghana's participation will be on a sub-theme, “Garden City”, focusing on the productive and profitable use of resources to enhance socio-economic advancement as well as sound environmental stewardship.

The Deputy Minister said Ghana's participation would also help create market opportunities for Ghanaian products in the Asian market particularly non-traditional export goods and also help the nation strengthen its bilateral cooperation with China, seen as the emerging force in international trade.

“The significance of this expo taking place in China is not only related to the fact that China is one of our leading trading partners but also because of its unique cultural values,” she said, adding that Ghana will also learn from the way China and the rest of Asia are modernising their cities.

Ghana has been participating in all world expos with the last two expos being held in Hanover, Germany in 2000 and Aichi in Japan in 2005.

The Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Yu Wenzhe said the Chinese government would want to make the expo, which is being held for the first time in a developing country, a very memorable one.

According to the ambassador, 224 countries have confirmed their participation in the expo and 70 million visitors are expected.

Mr Wenzhe said the Chinese government has promised to assist Ghana financially to participate in the event, stressing that his government has also set aside a $100 million fund to also help other developing countries that would be participating in the event.

The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu was optimistic that Ghana's participation would be of great blessing since the country would learn from the rest of the world how they have been able to sustain their environment even in the face of population explosion.

The Omanhene of New Juaben, Daasebre Prof. Emeritus Oti Boateng chaired the function.

From Thomas Fosu Jnr, Koforidua