BY LINDSAY ABBEY MENSAH
China’s Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Cong Song, says China’s four major global initiatives provide new opportunities for Ghana and other African countries to advance development, strengthen international cooperation and push for reforms in global governance.
Speaking during an engagement with journalists participating in the 2026 Ghana–China Media Fellowship in Accra, the Ambassador said the initiatives respond to widening development gaps, persistent security challenges and shortcomings in the current international system.
He said the Global Development Initiative places development at the centre of the international agenda, with priorities including poverty reduction, food security, industrialisation, digital development and climate action. According to him, these priorities align closely with Ghana’s development objectives and the broader aspirations of African countries.
On security, Mr. Cong Song said the Global Security Initiative advocates dialogue and political settlement as the preferred means of resolving conflicts. He said the initiative also supports the principle of “African solutions to African problems” by encouraging African institutions to take the lead in addressing the continent’s security challenges.
The Ambassador said the Global Civilization Initiative promotes mutual respect among civilizations and recognises the right of countries to pursue development paths that reflect their history, culture and national circumstances.
He also called for reforms to global governance institutions to better reflect current economic and political realities, arguing that developing countries, particularly those in Africa, should have a stronger voice in decisions on global peace, finance, trade and development.
Mr. Cong Song said the four initiatives could complement existing frameworks, including the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, by creating additional opportunities for development cooperation and knowledge exchange.
He, however, noted that the benefits of the initiatives would depend on effective implementation and the ability of African countries to define clear national and regional priorities. He said issues such as debt sustainability, transparency, environmental protection, local value addition and employment would remain key considerations in assessing the outcomes of cooperation.
The engagement formed part of the 2026 Ghana–China Media Fellowship, organised by the Africa-China Centre for Policy and Advisory (ACCPA), to enhance journalists’ understanding of Ghana–China relations and promote informed, evidence-based reporting on the partnership.
