Accra, Dec. 4, GNA – An agreement has been reached between the Province of Ningxia in China and the Volta Region to establish a joint venture in an economic partnership arrangement.

Earlier a delegation of chiefs, government officials and businessmen from the Region travelled to China to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of the twinning arrangement between the Government of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and the Volta Region of Ghana.

The Volta Region Development Agency (VORDA), co-ordinated the trip in partnership with the Chinese Embassy in Accra, the Volta Region House of Chiefs and the Volta Regional Co-coordinating Council.

These were contained in a statement released to the Ghana News Agency in Accra at the week-end.

The statement said a second MoU would be signed on Tuesday, December 6, at the residence of the Volta Regional Minister, Mr Joseph Amenowode at Ho and the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Gong Jianzhong would sign on behalf of Ningxia with their Ghanaian counterparts.

It said the twinning arrangement between a Chinese Province and the Region was the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa and would help enhance the economic prospects of the Volta Region and Ghana in general adding that a government delegation from Ningxia, will visit Volta Region in February 2012.

With a long history, unique scenery and rich natural resources, Ningxia is the only autonomous region of Hui Muslim inhabitants in China and has a total population of 6.30 million.

The statement said the Ghanaian delegation to the province was privileged to attend the 2011 China (Ningxia) International Investment and Trade Fair and the Second China-Arab Economic and Trade Forum which was held in the beautiful capital city of Ningxia (Yinchuan).

The aim of the visit was to enable both parties to exchange relevant ideas and contacts and seek ways on how to develop and modernize the aquaculture and rice industry of both provinces.

The event led to the enhancement of the existing bilateral trade and communication link between the people of Ghana and China as the delegation used the opportunity to visit Sand Lake Fishery Company and the Horticulture Industry Zone of Helan Country where the delegation met top officials and entrepreneurs.

The statement said the delegation was introduced to a Modern Agriculture Demonstration Zone which had modern methods of producing crops and would be applicable to farmers in the Volta Region.

Ningxia Medical University which is well known for its expertise in traditional medicine was a place not to be missed as the delegates interacted, discussed and held an open door meeting with the top officials, teachers and doctors of the University.

It said the high powered delegation from the Volta Region was led by Togbe Afede X1V, Agbogbomefia of Asogli Traditional Area and President of Volta Region House of Chiefs and Mr Joseph Amenewode, Volta Regional Minister.

The rest were, representatives from the business community led by Nana Owusu Afari, President of Association of Ghana Industries and prominent members of the Volta Region House of Chief including Nana Soglo Alloh IV, Otekple of Likpe Traditional Area and Vice-President of Volta Region House of Chiefs.

The others were, Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, Paramount Chief of Anfoega, Nana Mprah Besemuna III, Paramount Chief of Krachi, Osie Adza Tepkor, Paramount Chief of Avatime, Togbe Patamia Dzekley VII, Paramount Chief of Battor.

Also included in the delegation was Mamaga Akosua, Paramount Queen Mother of Sasadu Traditonal Areas and Board Member of VORDA and Co-ordinator of the trip Mr Appiah-Danquah Kufuor, an Economist and a Board Member of Volta Region Development Agency (VORDA).

The statement said VORDA is the implementation agency for the delivery of the $250 million project contained within the revised Volta Region Economic Development Plan (VORDEP) 2011-2015.

The VOREP sets out a vision for the future of Volta Region, it is about steps the Region needs to take to bring about real improvements that will change the lives of the people and by its natural extension, Ghanaians, for the better.

It said the focus of this economic plan is to move from strategy building to the implementation stage in its desire to build a society that is more prosperous, healthier and more cohesive but just as importantly recognising the diversity of local communities.