African must learn from Ghana’s episode

Ghana is currently embroiled in a passive tussle-cum-quandary with China after apprehending at about 100 Chinese nationals allegedly to have been involved in illegal gold mining in Ghana. Such a move irked China so as to start very vivid campaigns against Ghana. We are not aware what is what up till when the court decide otherwise. Again, looking at what transpired in Zambia prior where locals fought with Chinese and killed one a Chinese manager recently, we can comfortably say that Africa needs to be watchful of Chinese presence," Zambian Labor Minister Fackson Shamenda  was quoted by AFP as saying, "I don't know why there is always tension between

Chinese investors and workers at Collum," BBC quoted Yu Jie, spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Ghana saying that they "have cautioned all the Chinese people in Ghana to strictly abide by the related laws and regulations". Again, looking at what was reported by South African based TV ENCA saying that China and Ghana were at loggerhead one wonders why China did not repudiate such story.

Al-Jazeera had this to report, “Their number brings to 181 the total figure of Chinese that the country's immigration office has detained within the past month in this African nation.” If such a humongous number translates to one-month catch, how many are there in Ghana and Africa in general? The Guardian quoted Michael Amoako-Atta, spokesman for the Ghana immigration service as saying.  "We have arrested 168 Chinese nationals, all of whom are being detained and processed for court."  He added, "Most of these illegal miners use very dangerous substances like cyanide and mercury in processing their ore, which are not biodegradable and leach into the water bodies creating serious problems for the communities who use these sources of water as drinking water." If anything, this is a typical replica of what is currently going on in many African countries.

In Dar es Salaam, Chinese petite business persons are seen in the streets even pushing carts. They do all small and odd business poor Tanzanians do. Ironically though, Tanzania expels other suchlike green pasture seekers from neighbouring countries.

Africa was used to seeing a handful of western investors using locals to run their investment. It was used to jackals, wolves and eagles from west sent as explorers, missionaries, military attaches to their embassies and CIA agents. Now that the tiger from Asia is in the house, maybe, the elephant is in the sitting room. Africa needs to put its house in order aiming at securing and saving jobs for its sons and daughters.

Again, what west used to do is not Chinese style of doing things. China exports its people just like India does. These two are among the evolving powers of our world today. To do away from being dumping and breeding grounds for unqualified and jobless people, we need to take a leaf from western and Middle East countries which apply strict rules for investors who abuse this opportunity. Africa needs to tell china even India that what we lack is investment but not manpower.

What transpired in Ghana reminded me what happened in Tanzania recently where it was unearthed that foreign nationals working there are paid ten more times than Tanzanians with the same qualifications.

Another issue that must make African president tread carefully is the fact that China is good at producing and supplying cheap, fake and substandard items. African countries need to strengthen their bureaus of standard to see to it that such cheap and substandard merchandises are not being allowed to infiltrate their territories.

So important too is the whole issue of smuggling in ivory, wood and other products from endangered animals. Currently, China is a very hungry monster that swallows almost everything. We can’t blame the government that has always distanced itself from such conspiracy. Again, as the country benefits from whatever is brought in either legally or illegally sometimes Chinese authorities turn a blind eye and come quickly to deny wrong doing whenever their citizens are caught pant down.

In essence, what happened in Ghana is but a tip of an iceberg. Again, who is to blame? Our leaders have put forth their personal interests at the expense of their citizenry. Though not all, myopic and greedy as they are, if nothing is done; we will soon see the floods of Chinese. This means, the so-called investment will end up becoming another catastrophe just like the one we've been going through under western investment relationship.

Having such aliens that can illegally involve themselves in mining, smuggling and capital flight, Africa stands to lose once again. Essentially, if Africa wants to benefit and prosper from the coming of China, it must see to it that labour and immigration laws are updated to foil such incidents. Without arresting all loopholes allowing aliens to plunder Africa, chances are that we will soon evidence chaos resulting from fighting between locals and those aliens. And indeed, this will be misinterpreted into xenophobia which is not good for our relations. It is better to take measures before the situation worsens and gets out of control. Suffice it to say; what transpired in Ghana should act as eye opener for all African countries.

Source: The African Executive Magazine June 12,2013.