Confucius Institute of the University of Ghana (CIUG) in partnership with the Africa – China Centre for Policy and Advisory (ACCPA) has organized a training for journalists in Accra on the importance of Ghana – China relations and how they could help strengthen it.
The CIUG was established in 2013 by the University of Ghana in corporation with the Hejiang University of Technology and the Confucius Institute Headquarters in China.
According to the Chairman of CIUG (China Office) Prof. Jinmin Wang, the institute sought to promote the teaching and learning of the Chinese language and culture as well as bridge the gap between students and entrepreneurs.
With this, he noted that the institute was looking forward to providing more job opportunities for the youth in Ghana.
In a presentation dubbed, “Is China the Right Partner for Africa/Ghana”? Executive Director, of ACCPA, Paul Frimpong believed China’s role in the development of Africa as far as infrastructure was concerned should not be overlooked.
He said over 3 decades ago the Western world had described Africa as a hopeless and business-unfriendly continent, thereby refusing to partner with Africa in its developmental projects and businesses.
He stated that the Western world based their argument on the perception they had concerning Africa on Civil War, Diseases, and Debt Burden.
He said while the Western world refused to partner and did business with Africa, China through the Forum on China – Africa Corporation (FOCAC) in the year 2000 took a bold decision to partner with Africa in its infrastructure projects and businesses.
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The ACCPA Executive Director revealed that due to this novel initiative by China, the Western world joined in the partnership agreement with the continents they once described as hopeless and business unfriendly.
He hinted that China through its partnership programs has alleviated nearly 800 million people from poverty.
He advised Ghana to continue doing business with China because the cost of doing business with them was cheaper and also the fact that they believed in equal treatment for all, a sign of respect for all.
He advised Ghana to be careful in their dealings with the Western world which has now demonized China against Africa for doing business with them.
Meanwhile, a Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Isaac Ankrah has charged Ghanaian journalists to desist from negative reportage on China – Ghana partnership projects and programs.
Citing reportage on projects such as the SINO- HYDRO, illegal mining, involving Chinese Nationals, and China’s role in Ghana’s IMF bailout, he said the media were not fair in their reportage since most didn’t check their facts on these deals well.
Gracing the occasion, the Chairman of Ghana – China Friendship Association, Ambassador Anani Deminakor, urged Ghanaian youth to try and visit China to learn more about their developmental projects and come back to transform Ghana.
By Margaret Esaah Boakye
