Accra, Sept 3, GNA - Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Friday cut the sod for the construction of an office complex for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, during which he commended the Chinese Government for its tremendous support.

The 15-million-dollar project, which is located at the site of the former International Students’ Hostel, is scheduled to be completed within 18 months.

It includes two six-storey blocks, a conference room, a library and a canteen.

He said the completion of the office complex would help evacuate all offices from the former burnt down offices at the Ministries and the current location at the Flagstaff house.

Vice President Mahama said since independence, China had been supporting Ghana in terms of credit facilities to undertake infrastructural development and other social and political cooperation.

“China has been an ally of Ghana in Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the fight against apartheid system and fostered South-South Cooperation in subsequent years.”

The Vice President said China had contributed to Ghana’s trade, private enterprise and infrastructural development and that Government would continue to forge ahead to cement the relationship.

He said although the burning of the offices of the Ministry was unfortunate, it had also exposed the inadequate facilities of the Ghana National Fire Service which Government had since addressed by providing ultra-modern fire-fighting machines.

Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, Minister of Foreign Affairs commended President John Evans Atta Mills for reclaiming the land for the Ministry, after it had been sold to individual developers in the previous regime.

He said the movement of the offices to the new site would promote effective coordination and development better than the current state where they were scattered all over in the capital.

Mr Gao Wen Zhi, Chinese Economic Counsellor gave the assurance that the contractors, Yanjan Construction Company, would execute the project within the stipulated time.