President John Dramani Mahama has called on Chinese industries to deepen their engagement with Ghana by establishing strategic partnerships with local businesses to process raw materials within Ghana for direct export back to the Chinese market.

In an exclusive, wide-ranging interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN), the President outlined a vision for a manufacturing-focused partnership, moving beyond traditional resource extraction and infrastructure funding.

President Mahama stated that Ghana's goal is to transition from merely exporting raw commodities—such as cocoa, timber, and mineral ores—to exporting higher value-added, finished, or semi-finished products.

He emphasised that this strategy is vital for job creation, technology transfer, and stabilising Ghana's economy by reducing its reliance on volatile global commodity prices.

President Mahama says Ghana wants Chinese industries to partner with Ghanaian businesses to process raw materials for export back to the Chinese market.

This shift aligns with Ghana's long-term industrialisation agenda, which seeks to boost the manufacturing sector's contribution to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

During the interview, President Mahama took time to commend Beijing for its central role in driving development across the African continent, particularly through major infrastructure projects.

China has financed and executed numerous large-scale projects in Ghana, including hydroelectric dams, road networks, and port expansions, often through concessional loans and government-to-government agreements.

President Mahama described China as a true friend, emphasising that the partnership has enabled African countries to invest in important infrastructure and advance their development goals.

This partnership is seen by many African leaders as a necessary alternative to traditional Western development models, offering faster delivery of essential projects.

The interview also covered historical and international topics, including the lasting effects of slavery and colonialism.

The President used the platform to reiterate Ghana’s firm stance on recognising the transatlantic slave trade as the ultimate historical transgression.

He confirmed a major diplomatic effort planned for the next year:

He reiterated that Ghana will next year move a motion at the United Nations General Assembly asking the world to recognise the slave trade as the greatest crime against humanity.

This planned motion underscores Ghana’s historical importance as the "Gateway to Africa" and its role as a moral leader in seeking global acknowledgment and restorative justice for the horrors of the slave trade.