China has written off the cost of constructing the National Theatre in Accra. The Theatre, which symbolises China-Ghana friendship, has thus become a gift from the Chinese Government. A statement issued by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Accra yesterday said the decision was taken when the Speaker of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Mr Jia Qinglin, visited Ghana last week. The theatre was refurbished with a grant of $2 million from the Chinese Government and the renovation was finished on time for Ghana’s Golden Jubilee celebrations. The statement said the renovated National Theatre would help to strengthen the friendship between the people of China and Ghana. During his visit, Mr Qinglin signed six bilateral protocols, agreements and memoranda of understanding and paid a courtesy call on President J.A. Kufuor. The statement said one of the agreements signed was the cancellation of part of the debt owed by the government of Ghana to China which was due at the end of 2005 and included the cost of renovating the National Theatre and other smaller projects. Credit: Daily Graphic