Fifty African experts — including university Professors, Directors of research institutes, and Presidents of think tanks — participated in the seminar on Chinese-style modernization and African development, held from July 17 to 24, 2024, in Shaanxi Province, China. Upon returning home, some of them agreed to respond to our series titled “Three Questions to the Xi’an Seminar Participants.” Today, we speak with the representative of Ghana, Mr. Abel Nyarko-Asomani.
Hello Abel Nyarko-Asomani, you are the Ghana Representative at the Xi'an seminar on ‘Chinese-style modernization and African development’. Introduce yourself and tell us what your impressions are after this major meeting to implement the six main objectives and ten Actions of the strategic partnership between China and Africa?
I am Abel Nyarko-Asomani, a Research Officer at the Institute of Economic Affairs, Ghana’s premier think tank institution. The Institute over the years has been at the forefront in promoting good governance, democracy, and fair market economy in the country. It has influenced and initiated notable legislation and public policies such as the Right to Information Act,2019 (Act 989), Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2018 (Act 982), Presidential Transition Act, 2012 (Act 845), etc. Since I joined the Institute, I have been conducting research surveys such as the bi-annual IEA Business Confidence Survey and initiated the bi-annual IEA Consumer Confidence Survey. I have also been involved in both pre and post budget analysis of the country alongside their advocacy activities. In terms of research, I am keenly interested in areas such as macroeconomic issues, climate change and energy security issues and economic development. Recent growing friendship between China and Africa has also wiped my interest in international relations issues as well.
Well, the Seminar on "Chinese Modernization and African Development” was a spectacular opportunity for me. Thanks to the Chinese Embassy in Ghana. My weeklong stay in the Xian Province from July 17 to 24, 2025 was a revelation and very thought-provoking. China identified the need to ensure food security given its high population. The country deliberately invested in agriculture production value chain, notable among such investments is the Yangling Demonstration Zone. In fact, the application of science and innovation in this agricultural investment fascinated me as an individual who has only witnessed peasant farming as a widespread practice in Ghana. Africa can draw inspiration from this policy by prioritising significant investment in agriculture. The programme also deepened my understanding on development especially the transition from an underdeveloped country to a developed one as exemplified by China. My inspiration comes from the phenomenal transition China went through from a third-world country to now obviously a superpower. There is hope for Africa given our current friendship with China coupled with the development cooperation as part of the six major cooperation objectives.
Lastly, the recent zero tariff policy by the Chinese government to Africa also comes as a bonus opportunity for us. Apart from the obviously expansion of market access to African exports, the enhanced connectivity infrastructure currently ongoing under projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative will also strengthen the cooperation ties between Africa and China. My take from the various lessons and field visits I participated was that the missing link in Africa’s trade has to do with meeting international standards especially with our trade partners like China. Despite that, the various trade cooperation especially in e-commerce between China and Africa will soon enhance Africa to meet product standards at the world markets.
What proposals do you have for Sino-African cooperation that is closer to the people, as seen from Ghana? With Ghana’s position as a stable democratic country and obviously a regional hub for trade, agriculture, and culture in West Africa, any targeted Sino-African Cooperation programme will enhance standards of living among Ghanaians. Firstly, with the Yangling Demonstration Zone (YDZ) still in mind, I would propose a replication of such project in Ghana. Indeed, capital may be the challenge at the initial stage however, a scaled down version of the YDZ across the country could enhance agriculture production. Fortunately, Ghana is blessed with vast arable lands and abundant human resources. An Ashanti Demonstration Zone in the Ashanti Region could help boast crop production and cultivation to the country. Jobs can be generated out of this; income of farmers will also be improved and eventually the country’s food security will also be assured.
Secondly, Ghana’s manufacturing sector is dominated by small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) with low production base. The low production in SMEs is due to the excessive cost of production which has become a challenge for them. To address this, I propose the establishment of a Sino-Ghana Community Industrial Park within the cities of Ghana. The park will host most of the SMEs for them to enjoy some economics of scale in terms of knowledge sharing, training and etc. The industrial park will also be hub for job creation for the youth in the country.
Finally, given the abundant natural resources in Ghana, many young Ghanaians are now engaging in resource extraction activities. Common among them is the illegal gold mining activities also known as Galamsey. It is unfortunate that most of the arable lands including water bodies are being depleted through galamsey activities. Hence, the need to save our land from depletion is now urgent. Minded by the fact that people in these mining communities need jobs to do, I would suggest the establishment of a China-Ghana Green Community Initiative. The initiative will be a tool for creating green jobs such as tree planting jobs, recycling programmes, public education programmes and business start-ups to serve as an alternative for galamsey activities to save the environment.
What do you think of the Xi'an Reflection Group's initiative to follow up the Xi'an seminar? The Xi’an Reflective Group is a spectacular initiative. It will serve as a platform for the fifty African countries that met at the seminar to continue to connect with each other and share ideas for collaboration and development purposes.
The initiative, I believe will serves as a tool for transforming the ideas from the seminar into realistic development projects among the countries. Since independence, Ghana has been the gateway to Africa. Our friendly outlook and hospitality will always be our hallmark in relating to all countries. Ghana is ever ready to collaborate with all countries to ensure global peace and sustained development.
Interview conducted by Héribert-Label Élisée ADJOVI / Special Correspondent in Xi’an