Theme: “Building Prosperity, Restoring Hope”
Your Excellency Mr. Miao Yu, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs
Distinguished Officials of the Government of the People’s Republic of China,
Your Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Fellow Ghanaians resident in China,
Members of the Press,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening.
Today, we gather here, far from the golden shores of our beloved homeland, to mark a sacred moment in our national history. Though we are thousands of miles away, our hearts beat with the rhythm of our homeland, from the golden shores of Accra to the bustling markets of Kumasi and the peaceful lagoons of the Volta Region, as we celebrate the 69th Anniversary of Ghana’s Independence.
Sixty-nine years ago, on this very day, the dream of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah pierced the darkness of colonialism. It is a day that the Black Star shines brighter, a day when we remember his vision that Ghana’s independence would be meaningless unless it was linked to the total liberation and prosperity of the African continent.
Tonight, standing here in Beijing, a city that symbolizes the remarkable transformation of an ancient civilization into a global economic powerhouse, we are reminded that Ghana’s own journey toward that promised land, continues with determination and hope. Tonight, we celebrate under a powerful and resonant theme: “Building Prosperity, Restoring Hope.”
This is not merely a slogan for an anniversary celebration. It is the clarion call of our time, a covenant between the government and the people of Ghana. While the foundations of our state remain strong, by the grace of God, we must now lay the bricks of economic opportunity and the mortar of renewed confidence to build the Ghana we all aspire to see. It is the mission of the new dawn sweeping across our nation under the leadership of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, to restore hope and build shared prosperity for all Ghanaians.
Your Excellencies, distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, after years of challenges, the clouds are beginning to part. Hope is being restored, not by chance, but by design. President Mahama has initiated the Accra Reset Agenda, a comprehensive framework aimed at transforming our economy and restoring confidence in our national future. This agenda provides a clear architecture for action.
As the President recently stated:
“Accra Reset is an architecture, a framework through which Africa and its partners align finance, health, trade, skills, and technology toward a common direction of progress.” Central to this reset is a bold economic policy: the 24-Hour Economy.
This is far more than simply keeping the lights on at night. It represents a productivity revolution , a deliberate strategy to maximize the use of our industrial capacity, create hundreds of thousands of jobs, modernize and expand our export capacity, and significantly reduce the cost of production.
The President has already signed the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill into law and backed it with decisive action. Factories registered under this initiative will be able to import capital equipment duty-free and tax-free, ensuring that our manufacturers have the tools needed to compete globally. Ghana is therefore moving from a cycle of speculation to a cycle of production.
Your Excellencies, distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, it is however impossible to speak about building prosperity in the 21st century without acknowledging our key strategic partner, the People’s Republic of China. The relationship between Ghana and China is not a fair-weather friendship. It is deep, historic, and mutually beneficial. Built on the foundation of mutual respect championed during the Bandung Conference, this relationship has blossomed over six decades into a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Tonight, we celebrate not only Ghana’s independence, but also the enduring strength of this friendship. Our bilateral relations are currently at an all-time high. Ghana is an active and proud participant in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). Following the Beijing Summit, we are working diligently to translate the outcomes into tangible projects in infrastructure, agriculture, and the digital economy.
Furthermore, Ghana remains a committed partner in the Belt and Road Initiative, recognizing its potential to connect our nation to regional and global value chains through enhanced infrastructure. Just last month, we witnessed a significant milestone. Ghana is on the verge of finalizing an End-of-Harvest Agreement with China. This strategic pact will grant Ghanaian products including our premium cocoa, shea butter, and cashew zero-tariff access to the vast Chinese market.
This is what true partnership looks like. It means jobs for our youth in agribusiness and manufacturing, and high-quality Ghanaian products for Chinese consumers. In the recent State of the Nation Address (SONA 2026), President Mahama declared, and I quote:
“I can say with confidence that Ghana is back, Ghana is working again, and Ghana is open for business.”
To the distinguished Chinese investors gathered here tonight, and to those watching across various media platforms, let me reiterate this message clearly: Ghana is open for business. We are not only a stable democracy with a rich cultural heritage.
Ghana is also home to the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). An investment in Ghana is therefore not simply an investment in a market of 34 million people. It is a gateway to a continental market of over 1.4 billion people.
Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, under the government’s Reset Agenda, Ghana is dismantling barriers to investment. The 24-Hour Economy policy offers attractive incentives, including tax breaks and streamlined regulations for investors.
Recently, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre’s China Liaison Office in Hunan was launched, providing a direct platform for Chinese enterprises to connect with opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, and technology. The government’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for business remains unwavering.
On behalf of President Mahama, I warmly invite you to bring your capital, your technology, and your expertise to Ghana, and let us build prosperity together.
Your Excellencies, prosperity is not measured only by economic indicators. It is also measured by the strength of our culture and heritage. Ghana is therefore embarking on a monumental 100-million-dollar project to revitalize our historic forts and castles, UNESCO World Heritage Sites that stand as silent storytellers of our past. These sites connect Ghana to the African diaspora and to the wider world. By restoring them, we preserve our identity while creating a vibrant tourism economy that generates jobs and attracts visitors from across the globe.
The people of Ghana warmly invite our Chinese friends to explore the spirit of the Year of Return, visit our national parks and historic landmarks, and experience our warmth and hospitality.
Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, the world is moving fast, and we cannot afford to be left behind. As President Mahama reminded us at the African Union Summit:
“We make decisions, we agree on frameworks, but what is often missing is urgency and implementation. From Addis Ababa, we must stop talking and start implementing.”
This sentiment echoes the wisdom of great leaders across the world. The Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu once said:
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” And, again, the late Nelson Mandela reminded us, that:
“It always seems impossible until it is done.”
Building prosperity and restoring hope may appear a monumental task, but with the resilience of the Ghanaian people and the strength of international partnerships, especially with the People’s Republic of China, it will certainly be accomplished.
Fellow Ghanaians, ladies and gentlemen, as we stand here in Beijing tonight, let us carry with us an unshakeable belief in our destiny. The Black Star is rising again. Under the Reset Agenda, with the 24-Hour Economy powering our industries and with friends like China walking this development journey with us, we are not merely dreaming of prosperity we are building it. We are not simply hoping for a better future, we are restoring it, brick by brick, policy by policy, and partnership by partnership.
May God bless our homeland Ghana. And may He bless our enduring friendship with the People’s Republic of China.
Thank you.
Happy Independence Day.
