President John Dramani Mahama has extended an open invitation to Chinese investors, highlighting strategic opportunities across key sectors and reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to building mutually beneficial economic partnerships with China.

Speaking at the Presidential Investment Forum in Beijing, President Mahama described Ghana as a stable, profitable, and strategically positioned gateway to Africa.

“Ghana offers Chinese investors not only stability and profitability, but also a strategic gateway to the heart of Africa,” he said, underscoring the nation’s appeal as a premier investment destination.

The president invited Chinese investors to explore joint ventures in roads, smart cities, renewable energy, and digital connectivity, outlining Ghana’s comprehensive modernisation and infrastructure agenda.

At the center of this agenda is the ambitious $10 billion Big Push Infrastructure Programme, designed to complete major roads, bridges, power systems, and digital networks — and to strengthen regional trade links.

“We’ve launched the Big Push Infrastructure Programme, a $10 billion initiative focused on completing major roads, bridges, power systems and digital networks, and linking Ghana to regional markets,” President Mahama explained.

Volta Economic Corridor: A Transformative Project

President Mahama spotlighted the Volta Economic Corridor as one of the most ambitious projects in Ghana’s history, built around four interlinked pillars that present vast investment opportunities.

“The first pillar will irrigate over two million hectares of land for all-year-round farming. The second will establish agro-industrial parks for textiles, pharmaceuticals and food processing. The third focuses on developing tourism and hospitality hubs along Lake Volta — one of the world’s largest man-made lakes. And the fourth will establish a modern inland water transport and logistics system linking farms, factories and markets,” he detailed.

Renewable Energy and Digital Transformation

Highlighting Ghana’s digital and green ambitions, President Mahama emphasised strong synergy with Chinese expertise in innovation and technology.

“We believe that China, with its comparative advantage in digitalisation and innovation, will be a partner to the vibrant, youthful population of Ghana and Africa,” he said.

He also announced a $3 billion Digital Jobs Initiative to equip Ghana’s youth with the skills needed for the future economy.

A Visionary Green City

As part of Ghana’s long-term transformation, President Mahama unveiled plans for a Green Digital City spanning the Greater Accra, Volta, and Eastern Regions.

“This city will showcase cutting-edge technology in urban design, planning and innovation,” he revealed.

“It’s a 20-year project to be executed in four phases, with the first phase expected to begin before the end of my tenure.”

Investment Security and Market Access

Reassuring investors, President Mahama emphasised Ghana’s strong legal framework and constitutional guarantees for investment protection.

“Ghana guarantees the security of your capital and your profits. Under our Constitution and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act, expropriation of investments is prohibited,” he assured.

He also highlighted Ghana’s strategic market access as host of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, giving investors a direct entry point into a $3.4 trillion single market and over 400 million consumers through ECOWAS trade arrangements.

Building a “24-Hour Economy of Opportunity”

Concluding his address, President Mahama outlined his broader vision for Ghana’s transformation.

“This is the new Ghana — a 24-hour economy of opportunity and innovation, an infrastructure drive connecting every community and enterprise, a modern agricultural engine that feeds our people and exports to the world, and a digital revolution that empowers our youth,” he said.

Emphasising reciprocity and shared prosperity, President Mahama pledged that Ghana’s partnership with China would remain grounded in mutual benefit.

“In return, we seek partnerships that accelerate industrialisation, advance technology transfer, and create shared value for our peoples. Ours will be a win-win partnership — your success in Ghana will be our shared success.”

The Presidential Investment Forum marks another milestone in 65 years of Ghana-China diplomatic relations, with bilateral trade reaching $11.8 billion in 2024 — a reflection of the deep and growing partnership between the two nations.