Aid will bolster Ghana's security forces

Financial support from China will include funds to help country deliver peacekeeping service

In fulfillment of its promise to bolster Ghana's security services, the Chinese government has pledged 150 million yuan ($22.6 million) to the Armed Forces of Ghana and the Ghana Police Service.

A third of the amount will go to support the Ghana armed forces with financial aid and logistics to deliver its peacekeeping service, while the remainder - 100 million yuan - will support the police.

Fulfillment of the pledge is the outcome of a visit by Ghana's Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia to China last month, and it was made good through the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two countries in Ghana on July 13.

According to a Ghana News Agency report, the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Sun Baohong, who signed on behalf of China, said the agreement formed part of China's efforts to deepen its already good bilateral ties with Ghana, especially in the area of security.

She said it was only appropriate for her government to support Ghana to continue its good work in international peacekeeping.

Sun also congratulated Bawumia on his successful trip to China and urged the Ghanaian government to ensure that the package was duly delivered and used successfully towards the implementation of all the projects outlined.

"We need to implement the follow-up actions of this visit and the memorandum of understanding is the first step in fulfilling that promise," she said.

Ghana's Minister of Defense Dominic Nitiwul, who signed for the Ministry of Defense, praised the Chinese government for its continuous support and pledged the commitment of the ministry toward using the grant to make Ghana's armed forces better and stronger.

He said China was in the process of shipping four patrol boats pledged last year for the Ghana Navy and these were expected to arrive by the end of July.

He said six armed forces personnel would also be sent to China to be trained in using the boats, while 28 men and women from the Navy, Army and Air Force would also receive full scholarships to study in China in the areas of security and defense.

For China Daily

(China Daily Africa Weekly 07/21/2017 page3)