Ghana has received a $30 million grant from the Chinese Government to construct a modern market in Aflao, in fulfillment of a campaign promise made by President John Mahama during the 2024 elections.
The grant agreement was signed on July 7, 2025, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Accra. Ghana’s Foreign Minister signed on behalf of the Government of Ghana, while the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Tong Defa, signed for the Chinese Government.
According to the Foreign Minister, the decision to allocate the funds to the Aflao market project was made under the direct instruction of President Mahama. The move is part of the government’s broader agenda to improve market infrastructure across the country and drive local economic development.
Aflao, a major commercial town on Ghana’s eastern border with Togo, is a key link in West Africa’s trading network. The new market is expected to strengthen trade flows between Ho, Lomé, and surrounding areas, while also improving the livelihoods of traders and residents within the enclave.
“This grant will support the creation of a modern, befitting market facility in Aflao and open up new economic opportunities for the people,” the Foreign Minister said in a post on his official X page.
This isn’t the first time Ghana has benefited from a Chinese grant for market development. Under the Mills-Mahama administration, a similar financial package from China facilitated the construction of the iconic Kotokuraba Market in Cape Coast, a project that redefined urban market standards in the country.
The Aflao market project is set to begin soon, with both countries optimistic about its long-term benefits to regional commerce and bilateral cooperation.
