On the occasion of the 60^th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, I'd like to express my warm greetings to the Chinese community in Ghana and to the friendly people of Ghana.

In the last 60 years, China has made great achievements in its socio-economic developments. It has made great leap forward from a society struggling for adequate food and clothing to a better-off society. Thanks to unremitting efforts made in the last six decades, especially since the adoption of the reform and opening-up policy in 1978, China has enjoyed dynamic economic and social growth. Today, the GDP of China is at 3^rd place in the world. The contribution of China's economic development to the world economic growth is over 20 percent. However, China is still a developing country with a long way to go in pursuit of modernization and common prosperity for all the people at home. In Chinese philosophy, 60 years is a cycle for a development not only for human being but also for a country. As Chinese people celebrate the 60^th anniversary, China is ready for the second cycle of development and will continue to give her impetus to the world peace and development.

This year is significant for both China and Ghana, because the Centenary of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and the 60^th Anniversary of the People's Republic of China coincide. As our two countries celebrating those holidays, we can not forget it was Dr. Kwame Nkrumah who laid the foundation of the long-standing friendship between the two countries together with then Chinese leader Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai. With similar historical experiences and vision in mind, the friendship between China and Ghana withstands the test of time and witnesses profound and positive changes since then. Apart from the high-level visits and strong mutual trust, investment, trade and many other fields, are also growing quite fast. According to Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC) statistics, China is now the largest source of FDI into Ghana in terms of number of projects from 1994-2008. The bilateral trade is also growing steadily. In 2008, the total volume of trade between the two countries broke the record and reached USD 1.82 billion.

In 2006, the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was held in China. The Summit ushered the bilateral relations to a new chapter. The implementation of the follow-up measures of the Beijing Summit is now well under-way. China has been committed herself of providing assistance to Ghana despite in the global economic recession context. Many important projects, such as Office Complex for Ministry of Defense, Bui Hydropower Station, General Hospital in Teshie, Three Rural Schools, Youth Center in Kumasi and etc. had been either commenced or completed. In addition, the fourth batch of anti-malaria drugs is scheduled to be donated to Ghana by the end of this year. Ten Chinese Youth Volunteers and three senior agriculture experts have started their public services to the educational and agricultural development in Ghana. A Chinese medical team consisting of nine doctors will soon come to work at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. The Chinese government also sponsored a number of human resources development programs. More than 200 Ghanaian senior managerial personnel and specialized technicians attend this program in China every year. Progress in all these areas has brought tangible benefits to the people of two countries and offered an even brighter prospect for China-Ghana cooperation.

 Apart from the co operations between our two governments, I am glad to note that the people-to-people exchanges are flourishing, as we have more and more cultural, educational, youth and non-governmental interactions. It is my strong belief that China-Ghana friendship and mutual beneficial cooperation will be further strengthened under the brilliant leadership of the two countries.

Happy birthday to China!

Long live China-Ghana friendship!