The Director of the Centre of Asian Studies at the University of Ghana, Dr. Lloyd Amoah has called for a more nuanced assessment of Ghana’s dealings with a China amid concerns that the East Asian nation is leading the next era of the scramble for Africa.
Dr. Amoah was speaking during a seminar held by the law firm, Baker McKenzie’s International Commercial & Trade practice group, in partnership with Kimathi & Partners.
The seminar was the Accra edition of the firm’s Africa Roadshow.
It was to discuss the latest global updates on the trade and commercial landscape and their implications for companies doing business in Africa.
The presentations touched on issues ranging from the onset of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Foreign Direct Investments in Africa to the role of US policy and Brexit Infrastructure, and China’s Belt & Road Initiative within the context of Africa.
“When we want to look at this China question, we need to be nuanced in the way we look at it.”
Dr. Amoah’s presentation on Ghana’s relations with China acknowledged the economic and even environmental apprehension of some Ghanaians.
China has garnered a major resource stake in Ghana after the $2 billion Master Project Support was agreed to address major infrastructure challenges in the country.
Under the deal, Sinohydro Group Limited of China will provide the infrastructure of the government’s choice in exchange for Ghana’s refined bauxite.
Aside from this, Chinese nationals have gained notoriety for their role in escalating illegal small scale mining and attendant environmental degradation over the past decade.
But the legitimated grievances with China need not cloud out the positives on the micro level, Dr. Amoah intimated.
“The Chinese obviously have taught us that you can use the market intelligently… the concept of the developmental state. China is the recent reincarnation of a successful developmental state.”
As an example, he noted how basic items had become more affordable for poorer households in Ghana.
“When China began to manufacture and more or less became the so-called factory of the world, many of African school children can now put on their backs backpacks. For many children in Africa, this was a dream.”
In addition, Dr. Amoah said there was much to learn from China’s different path to development and take into account “tactical strategic interest that matter to us and will position us in the world going forward.”
“We should not be swayed unnecessarily by the interpretation that will emerge from say the US… whilst they give us money, they are asking us why are you taking money for China,” he added.