The development work on a $20 million annex constructing for the Ministry of Overseas Affairs and Regional Integration (MFARI), in Accra, has began and is predicted to be accomplished inside 26 months.

Funded with a grant from the Chinese language authorities, the constructing sited on roughly 11,300 sq. metres of land, would have six flooring above-ground and one underground when accomplished.

It might have amenities, together with the Minister’s workplace space, convention corridor, press room, banquet corridor and underground car parking zone, gymnasium, clinic, shops and an archives room.

This was revealed yesterday when the Sector Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, aided by the Chinese language Ambassador to Ghana, Lu Kun, minimize the sod for work on the undertaking to start.

Ms. Botchwey thanked the Chinese language authorities for offering grant for the undertaking upon a request by Ghana, to allow the ministry to accommodate the elevated variety of employees — at present greater than 700.

She mentioned it could allow the ministry to make provision for sure important amenities that the present constructing, funded by one other Chinese language grant a couple of decade in the past, lacks.

The minister recalled that the ministry was compelled to evacuate its primary workplace in October 2009, after it was gutted by fireplace, ensuing within the lack of important paperwork and the associated institutional reminiscence.

After occupying the newly constructed Jubilee Home whereas awaiting authorities funding for a brand new constructing, Ms. Botchwey mentioned, the Chinese language authorities supplied a grant for the present Ministry constructing in 2013.

“After virtually 10 years, it turned obvious that the brand new workplace area was insufficient. Therefore, the necessity to assemble an annex constructing to be hooked up to the present magnificent construction,” she mentioned.

Ms. Botchwey urged the contractors, Yanjian Group Firm Restricted, which constructed the present constructing, to make sure the completion of the undertaking inside schedule and guarantee high quality execution of the undertaking.

Requested in regards to the ministry’s previous workplace throughout an interplay with journalists, she mentioned, plans for the power could be introduced later.

Mr. Lu mentioned the undertaking was in keeping with China-Africa Cooperation Imaginative and prescient 2035 beneath which the primary three-year plan was devoted to working intently with African nations to implement programmes in Ghana.

“I additionally imagine the undertaking will turn out to be a significant milestone of the time-honoured China-Ghana friendship and an necessary bridge of communication and cooperation between Ghana and the world,” he mentioned.

Mr Lu recounting the cordial relations between China and Ghana mentioned Ghana was among the many earliest nations in sub-Saharan Africa to ascertain diplomatic ties with China.

He named the China-Aided Cape Coast Sports activities Stadium Technical Cooperation Challenge as one of many interventions via which China’s financing, funding and contracting of initiatives had been selling Ghana’s improvement.

Mr Lu mentioned China remained Ghana’s greatest buying and selling companion and overseas funding supply with the 2022 bilateral commerce quantity reaching an unprecedented excessive of $10.2 billion, and one of many highest in Africa whereas Ghana’s exports to China elevated by 60 p.c year-on-year.

“China is dedicated to proceed offering the mandatory help, particularly life-improving help initiatives to the folks of Ghana. I’ve full confidence that extra concrete outcomes can be achieved within the close to future,” he mentioned.