VOLTA REGION SIGN “SISTER-REGION” PACT WITH NINGXIA HUI

  Mr. Gong in a handshake with Hon Amenorwode

The Volta Region of Ghana and the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of China on Tuesday signed a “sister-region” cooperation pact to serve the mutual interests of the two politico-administrative areas.

This first ever province to province pact would create opportunities for China to support the development of agriculture and agri-business and the petro-chemical industries in the Volta Region.

Mr Joseph Amenowode, Volta Regional Minister signed for the region while Mr Gong Jian Zhong, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana initialled for the Ningxia Hui Province.

Mr Amenowode said the deal was facilitated by Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of Asogli and President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs working through the House with support from the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC).

He said areas like education, tourism and the petrol chemical industry would benefit as a result of the cooperation between the two provinces.

The Regional Minister said two major Chinese companies were about to invest in large agro-businesses and in oil exploration.

The two regions had earlier signed a memorandum of intent during a visit to China in September this year by a quasi-political team comprising of chiefs and business people from the region led by Mr Amenowode.

Togbe Afede

Togbe Afede said the pact would further strengthen China-Ghana relations, which started in the 1960s.

He said a team from China was expected in Ghana shortly to look at the possibility of scaling up the, gas-stream combined cycle, Sunon-Asogli power generation project and participation in other industries.

Togbe Afede said though chiefs were losing their clout to the central government, they still possessed the influence to guide, support and initiate development in their areas.

Mr Gong Jian Zhong said China was ready to work with Ghana for mutual benefits.

The short but elaborate ceremony was attended by scores of chiefs, political appointees, and heads of departments and was characterized by spectacular displays of cultural dances from the region.

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