Ghana assures Chinese investors of protection

Ghana has assured China of guaranteed protection of her citizens and their investments as long as they operated within the confines of the law.

Answering questions on concerns for security of investments and safety of Chinese citizens in Ghana at an investment environment forum, on the sidelines of the 6th Yiwu China International Forest Products Fair, Ghana’s delegation emphasised that the country did not subscribe to en masse expulsion of Chinese citizens.

Mr Sylvester Parker-Allotey, Director, Policy Planning Research and Monitoring Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the Chinese were free to do business in Ghana as long as they operated within the culture and confines of the country's laws, besides, there was no systematic evidence that Ghana was chasing away Chinese citizens.

Mr Parker-Allotey said China must not allow recent infractions of the law by few Chinese residents in Ghana to mar the long cherished relationship between the two countries.

"We think the little irritation of the recent past do not sour the over 50 years relationship between the two countries," he said, adding that, no government could sit by and watch when her laws were being infringed upon, especially in the area of the use of dangerous chemicals, destruction of the environment and pollution of water bodies.

Mr Allotey said the Ghanaian Constitution guaranteed non-discrimination, and that, Chinese investors’ rights are protected and they could seek redress in the courts to assert those rights.

Dr John-Hawkins Asiedu, Economist with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, said Ghana is a signatory to various international trade treaties, which impose on her the obligation not to violate the right of investors. In addition, investors have access to international arbitration to which Ghana subscribes, adding that, protection of property is guaranteed.

He said Ghana was ready to do business with Chinese investors and urged them to take advantage of the many opportunities in Ghana to expand to the West African sub-region. Mr Gideon Quarcoo, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Export Promotion Authority, said Ghana’s investment regime was very friendly and that numerous investments exist for foreign investors.

There are opportunities in infrastructure, oil and gas, energy and information communication technology and the housing sectors. Mr Ben Eghan, General secretary, Ghana China Friendship Association, said the country had no problems at all with Chinese, who go about their business dealings legally.

The China-Yiwu International Forest Products Fair being held from November 1 to 4 in Yiwu, Zhejiang province, China, is on the theme: “Innovation-driven, low carbon-led.

Ghana Export Promotion Authority, under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, is collaborating with the Ghana China Friendship Association (GHACHIFA) to coordinate the participation of over 40 Ghanaian entrepreneurs and institutions at the fair.