Zhou Youbin, Charge d'Affaires at the Chinese Embassy in Ghana, has announced on March 19, Thursday, plans to build a 400-megawatt (MW) solar power plant to help Ghana with its energy supply needs.
Zhou, who spoke during the natural resources management and governance conference in Ghana, said that the Hanergy Group from China is planning to invest $1 billion to help build the plant, the Global Times reported.
"China, as a traditional friend and an important development partner over the years, has spared no efforts in supporting the development and construction of Ghana," Zhou was quoted as saying.
The Chinese diplomat said that the Chinese government as a development partner had undertaken several projects in Ghana that included the construction of the 400-megawatt Bui Dam, the western corridor gas infrastructure development project, and the Kpong Water Supply Expansion Project.
Zhou also assured Ghana that the Chinese government will continue to enhance the skills of local people, as some 30,000 professionals are undergoing training in various sectors under the African Talents Program.
The Chinese envoy also noted that China has invested heavily in cocoa, oil and gold in Ghana in the past year. He added that China's export and its Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows to Ghana have exceeded $1 billion, making China the biggest investor of Ghana in 2014.
Zhou also identified some problems that investors and development partners face in the country, such as land acquisition and rising protectionism of resources.
The Chinese diplomat also urged the Ghanaian authorities to support and enhance small-scale mining industry, which he said has contributed about one-third of the total gold production and 100 percent of the country's diamond in 2013.
"The most important thing is to balance the interests of the stakeholders, mainly the government, mining communities and the investors. Policies to ensure the healthy and sustainable development of the mining sector should be designed as soon as possible," Zhou said.