President John Dramani Mahama has praised China’s longstanding support for Africa, highlighting the Asian nation’s solidarity with developing countries as a key factor in boosting Ghana’s economic transformation.

In an exclusive interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) on Friday, Mahama described China as “a friend” whose partnership has helped Africa invest in transformative infrastructure and advance its development agenda.

“China has maintained a solidarity with all developing countries and identifies itself strongly with the global south… China has stepped forward,” he said, citing projects like highways, power plants, and transmission lines that would have been difficult to undertake without Chinese assistance.

Mahama also noted that China has consistently supported Africa’s bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, reinforcing the alignment of their global interests.

The interview comes as Ghana and China mark 65 years of diplomatic ties, reflecting on opportunities for deeper cooperation in trade, industrialisation, infrastructure, and vocational training.

Discussions on CGTN’s Leaders Talk, hosted by Wang Guan, explored the potential of a zero-tariff trade agreement and China’s proposed Global Governance Initiative, which seeks to enhance development cooperation amid shifting global geopolitics.

Mahama emphasised that Ghana’s collaboration with China is not only about investment in physical infrastructure but also about aligning economic and social development priorities.

He noted that such partnerships could accelerate Ghana’s journey toward full modernisation while strengthening Africa’s collective bargaining power on the global stage.