Accra, Dec. 10, GNA - A four-man team from Yanjian Group of Companies in China, have arrived for negotiations and signing of a contract towards the construction of a new building for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Accra.

The building in the Airport Area of Accra, estimated at about 15 million dollars, is expected to cover a land surface area of 11,500 square metres on a 19,500 square metres of land.

It is being funded solely by the Chinese Government, while Ghana Government would finance the construction of the fence wall. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Chris Kpodo, who met the team, told journalists that they would be in the country for 20 days, and construction work would begin after the contract had been signed. He said the project would be completed within 18 months.

Mr Gong Jianzhong, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, said the collaboration was another mark of the good relationship between Ghana and China, adding, "We would showcase to Ghana, good Chinese workmanship and quality." Mr Li Xuan Lin, Head of the team, said: "We lend great importance to the project and would make it as good as possible".

In October, 2009, fire gutted the entire 10-storey building of the Ministry in Accra, and as a temporary measure, it has been relocated at the Flagstaff House in Accra. 10 Dec. 10