A senior lecturer witht the Kumasi Technical University, Prof. Solomon Kwarteng Fokuo has questioned the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, led by President John Dramani Mahama, over what he describes as excessive attention being given to Chinese nationals at the expense of ordinary Ghanaians.
According to Prof. Fokuo, the government’s decision to engage Chinese nationals to assist in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, raises serious concerns, particularly given allegations that some Chinese nationals have been involved in illegal mining activities in Ghana.
Speaking in an interview with Oheneba Nana Asiedu on the Wontumi Morning Show, Prof. Fokuo alleged that the government is introducing measures that disadvantage ordinary Ghanaians while appearing to favour Chinese interests.
He cited restrictions on the importation of vehicles registered in 2015 as an example, alleging that the policy is intended to create opportunities for Chinese vehicle dealers.
“I don’t understand whether the government is trying to help foreigners instead of protecting its own people. Today, everywhere in Ghana has turned to Chinese people, they are all over Ghana under the leadership of President Mahama. We are not safe here.”
Prof. Fokuo also questioned the rationale behind reports that Chinese nationals have been brought into the country to assist in combating illegal mining.
He argued that it would be difficult for the government to rely on Chinese nationals to address galamsey when some Chinese nationals have previously been accused of participating in illegal mining activities.
“I heard the government has brought the Chinese people to come and help them fight galamsey because they have experience. How is this possible, meanwhile the Chinese people are the ones destroying our land as a result of illegal mining, How can they help us solve galamsey?”
He further questioned what he described as the government’s increasing reliance on China, calling on the authorities to prioritize the interests and economic opportunities of Ghanaians.
Prof. Fokuo also criticized what he described as the decision by Malik Basintale to procure 10,000 motorcycles from China for distribution to beneficiaries of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA).
He argued that a more sustainable approach would have been to import motorcycle parts and establish an assembly programme in Ghana, which, he said, could equip young people with technical skills while creating employment opportunities.
“Doing that is easier, but he would have rather bought the motor parts and brought the Chinese to Ghana to teach the youth how to assemble them. That would benefit the youth more than buying motorcycles for them.”