In The Wake Of Ghana's Crackdown On Illegal Chinese Miners- Chinese Diplomat Calls For New Era In Ghana-China Relations

China Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Gong Jianzhong, has called for a new chapter in Ghana-China relations to rekindle the fruitful and mutually beneficial partnership which exist between the two countries.

He lamented that the influx of illegal Chinese miners into Ghana had overshadowed the remarkable strides made in the relations between the two countries in recent times and explained that his government was determined to share China's wealth of expertise and technology with African states to improve the living standards of its peoples.

The Chinese envoy made the revelation when he paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, to review the status of bilateral relations between Ghana and China in the aftermath of the repatriation of over 4,000 Chinese illegal miners from Ghana.

The Chinese envoy reiterated his government's commitment to deepening bilateral relations with Ghana and proposed a new model for Ghana-China co-operation under which the Minerals Commission could grant a quota for Chinese miners to work with legal or licensed companies to enable them transfer know-how and appropriate technology to their Ghanaian counterparts for the development of the artisanal small scale mining sector.

Ambassador Jianzhong underscored the need for frequent interaction between officials of the two countries to dispel any misunderstandings and misconceptions that could mar the relationship and suggested that the two countries should explore new areas for possible co-operation to strengthen the partnership.

On his part, Alhaji Fuseini indicated that he does not begrudge Chinese miners for aspiring to improving their economic status in Ghana but emphasised that endeavours of all foreign nationals must be prosecuted within the confines of the laws of Ghana.

The Minister announced that the Inter-Ministerial Taskforce against illegal mining was now reclaiming lands degraded by illegal miners and indicated that government would welcome Chinese assistance for the exercise as a goodwill gesture to reflect the new Ghana-China relations.

Alhaji Fuseini acknowledged that the mass deportation of illegal Chinese miners from Ghana could impact negatively on the international image of China in diplomatic circles and re-affirmed the commitment of the government of Ghana to its bilateral relations with China.