ACCRA — The Chinese Hanergy Group is investing $1 billion to construct a 400-megawatt (MW) solar power plant to help boost Ghana’s energy needs, Zhou Youbin, Charge d’Affaires at the Chinese Embassy, said in Accra on March 19.

Zhou, who was speaking at a day’s natural resource conference, said: “China, as a traditional friend and an important development partner over the years, has spared no efforts in supporting the development and construction of Ghana.”

The conference was on the theme: Natural Resource Governance and Management in Ghana: The Stride Toward an Efficient use of our Natural Resources.

Zhou listed numerous projects the Chinese government had undertaken in Ghana such as the western corridor gas infrastructure development project, construction of the 400-megawatts Bui Dam, and the Kpong Water Supply Expansion Project.

He emphasized that the Chinese government would continue to build on the capacities of local people in the area of natural resources management.

To this end, he said some 30, 0000 African professionals were being trained under the African Talents Program in various sectors.

“In 2014, statistics about China-Ghana cooperation is inspiring. Ghana’s export to China and Chinese Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows to Ghana has both surpassed $1 billion, making China the biggest investor of Ghana in the past year,” he said.