The Chinese government has donated tens of thousands of medical supplies, test kits and Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to some 18 African countries to help combat the dreadful coronavirus.

With Accra being the centre of distribution to the other 17 other African countries, the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Shi Ting Wang at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) on Monday to welcome the items.

Mr Wang said the donation is China’s way of demonstrating its commitment to the partnership with Africa.

He noted that the gesture was to also support the numerous structural health challenges in most African countries.

“China is a real friend of Africa and a friend in need is a friend indeed. Africa, you have a weak health system so facing this coronavirus we know you have a few challenges.

"So our Chinese government chartered an aircraft to come to Ghana and Africa to present these things. That is the nature of our relations and friendship,” he stated.

Receiving the donation on behalf of government, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey described the gesture as a ‘timely intervention’.

She indicated that the gesture exhibits China’s solidarity and profound relationship with the African continent.

“This donation this morning is testament of the enduring and exemplary relations between China and Africa which is anchored on the principles of sincerity, equality, mutual benefit, solidarity and common development.”

“It is also a clear sign of China’s sense of reciprocal solidarity for African countries in these challenging times.”

The Minister who doubles as MP for Anyaa-Sowutuom constituency assured the Chinese government that, the other African beneficiaries will receive their supplies as soon as possible

“The United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot in Ghana, which is entrusted with the distribution of the medical supplies to the other 17 beneficiary countries, would be able to do so in record time, to assist those countries fight this pandemic.

“The Government of Ghana is prepared to offer the necessary assistance and facilitation to ensure the speedy delivery of the items,” she added.

The Chinese Government intervention comes after Chinese tech billionaire and co-founder of the Alibaba Group, Jack Ma donated over 1.1 million test kits, six million nose masks and 60,000 protective suits to the African Union to be distributed across the continent as the virus crept on its people.