A sod-cutting ceremony to commence the construction of an Annex Building for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration was held on Monday, 20th March, 2023 on the premises of the Ministry.
In his welcome remarks, the Acting Chief Director of the Ministry, Amb. Ramses Cleland noted that the gesture will further strengthen the long-standing relations between the Republic of Ghana and the People’s Republic of China. He also informed that the building will accommodate the increased number of staff in the Ministry and enable the Ministry to make provision for some essential facilities that the existing Building lacks such as press rooms, conference rooms, among others.
On her part, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey recalled the generosity of the Chinese Government when it constructed the current edifice in 2013 after the Ministry’s old premises was destroyed by fire. She expressed her profound gratitude to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for the aid provided to construct an Annex Building to be attached to the existing one, to address the problem of inadequate office space. She took the opportunity to urge the Contractor, Yanjian Group Company Limited, and the Ghanaian Consultant, Masaub Consults to ensure the completion of the project on schedule and also provide quality execution of the project.
The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Ghana, H.E. Lu Kun, noted that the Annex Office Building Project will significantly improve the office environment of the Ministry which will enable the Ministry perform its functions to the benefit of the people of Ghana. He further noted that the execution of the project will be a major milestone in improving the already existing China-Ghana friendship and an important bridge of communication and cooperation between Ghana and the world.
The total construction area of the project is approximately 11,300 square meters, with six floors above-ground and one floor underground, and consists of a press room, conference room, banquet hall, clinic, gymnasium, stores, and an archives room.