Ghana has secured a $30 million grant from the People’s Republic of China for the redevelopment of the Aflao Market in the Volta Region, Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced.
Delivering the Ministry’s performance report at the Government Accountability Series in Accra, Mr. Ablakwa explained that the grant is one of the most significant outcomes of his recent diplomatic engagements with Chinese authorities. He stressed that the project reflects Ghana’s commitment to turning diplomacy into tangible development.
“We have also secured a grant of $30 million for the Aflao Market redevelopment project. This is one of the most significant projects under our bilateral cooperation with China,” Mr. Ablakwa told the gathering .
The Aflao Market, one of the busiest in the Volta Region, serves not only local traders but also thousands of business people who cross the Ghana-Togo border daily. The planned redevelopment is expected to modernize facilities, improve trading conditions, and create a more structured environment for commercial activities.
According to Mr. Ablakwa, the new market will enhance cross-border trade and provide a safer, cleaner, and more efficient space for traders and customers. The project is also expected to generate jobs during its construction phase and boost long-term economic opportunities for residents.
The Minister pointed out that the Aflao project is part of a broader framework of cooperation between Ghana and China, which has extended support in areas such as education, infrastructure, and capacity building. He emphasized that while Ghana continues to engage China on challenges such as illegal mining, the government will also harness opportunities that deliver development to its citizens.
“Diplomacy is not about speeches and ceremonies alone. It must translate into concrete benefits for our people, and that is what this project represents,” he added .
Mr. Ablakwa assured that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will remain focused on ensuring that bilateral and multilateral engagements translate into direct improvements in the lives of ordinary Ghanaians. He cited the Aflao Market redevelopment as a clear demonstration of how foreign relations can be aligned with the government’s development priorities.
The $30 million Aflao Market redevelopment project, once completed, will stand as a landmark of Ghana’s evolving partnership with China and a boost to economic activity in the Volta Region and beyond.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
