Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has highlighted how China's solidarity with the Global South and its emphasis on delivering "transformative" investment and infrastructure development makes it a natural friend and partner for the African continent.
Mahama was speaking in an exclusive interview with the China Media Group (CMG) which aired on Friday. The Ghanaian President visited Beijing back in October to attend the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, and also met with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his trip.
During their meeting, Xi noted that this year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Ghana, and emphasized that the friendship between the two countries, forged by the elder generations of leaders from both countries, has grown stronger over time.
In the CMG interview, Mahama emphasized the enduring ties between the two nations and China's consistent support for developing countries, particularly on the African continent,
"Our relations with China have been historic, one because China has maintained a solidarity with all developing countries and identifies itself strongly with the Global South. And so that gives a natural basis and platform for cooperation. You can't transform the economy without putting in the social and economic infrastructure," he said.
"For many years, Africa found that if it had to do a highway between two principal cities, if it had to put a power plant, if it had to do transmission lines to be able to take electricity across the country, it had to turn to China. I think that because of China's solidarity with the Global South, it understands the needs of the developing world, and China has stepped forward," Mahama continued.
"China understands the need to have that kind of transformative investment, and that is why it supports Africa in investing in transformative infrastructure. And I think that that's a good thing," he added.
In addition to the support in terms of investment and infrastructure building, Mahama also noted that much of the strength of ties is down to how China also shares a common world view with the African continent.
"Our world view, a lot of the time, coincides with China's world view. China has supported Africa in the quest for a permanent seat on the United Nations and continues to support Africa's position. And so, if you have somebody who supports you like that, naturally, they're your friend and you gravitate closer together," he said.
Ghanaian president hails China's solidarity with Global South
