Locating African Agency in Africa-China Relations by Isaac Odoom A thesis submitted in partial fulfi

290 Pages·2016·3.01 MB·English

by  Mac User

Beyond Fuelling The Dragon: Locating African Agency in Africa-China Relations

by

Isaac Odoom

A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of

Doctor of Philosophy

Department of Political Science
University of Alberta

© Isaac Odoom, 2016
Abstract

The growing presence and influence of China across the African continent has
attracted considerable local and international attention and even controversy. On the one
hand, the burgeoning ‘China in Africa’ literature tends to focus on pessimistic assertions
about the exploitative aspects of the engagement, and China is frequently represented as a
twenty-first century (neo)colonial power that is plundering Africa's natural resources
while corrupt, or at best passive, African leaders fuel the metaphorical dragon. On the
other hand, more optimistic claims about China’s engagement focus on notions of mutual
benefits, lack of explicit and burdensome conditionalities, and the economic development
opportunities presented by such engagement. What such polarising representations often
ignore are questions of African agency and, specifically, the diverse factors that account
for the growth in African state interactions with China, and how diverse African actors
respond to Chinese engagement. Drawing on a critical African political economy
perspective placed into productive engagement with postcolonial approaches and
subaltern studies, I investigate the intensification of Africa-China linkages and focus on
African agency in Africa-China relations. Specifically, this dissertation draws on the case
of Ghana to interrogate the factors that drive Ghana’s growing economic relations with
China. It explores ways in which Ghanaian actors and institutions engage, shape,
negotiate, accommodate, and resist Chinese actors’ involvement in Ghana.
Data for this project were collected during extensive fieldwork in Ghana and
China. Interviews were conducted with state and non-state actors including government
officials, civil society organisations, traders, chiefs, and community opinion leaders. As
well, the dissertation draws on archival research and critical discourse analysis of key
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policy documents, speeches and media reports on Africa-China and Ghana-China
relations. These data provide insights into the historical and contemporary dynamics of
China’s presence in Ghana’s economy and the agentic responses it has engendered.
The study finds that the intensifying engagements with China can be attributed to
complex factors and motivations. The study also finds that Ghanaian state and non-state
actors are often willing partners to Chinese actors and exhibit considerable autonomy and
influence in their engagement with China. This finding challenges the popular view of
Chinese dominance in engagement with African actors.
Drawing on the concept of African agency, the dissertation uncovers how both
Ghanaian state and non-state actors attempt to shape and influence their relations with
China for their own economic and political ends. Through an examination of the labour
politics of Chinese projects and Ghanaian workers, the politics of parliamentary scrutiny,
oppositional activities of traders’ associations and other civil society actors, the study
shows how Ghanaian actors exert agency. Findings from these case studies suggest that
Chinese corporate behaviour often is met with assertive local and national responses,
which often minimise potentially negative impacts of Chinese enterprises and state
interests in Ghana. This finding challenges the dominant view of a ‘China’ and Chinese
entities that are always capable of imposing themselves on African actors who wield no
autonomy, influence or leverage. Instead of domination and imposition, the case studies
show dynamic interactions, influence, resistance and different forces that shape the terms
of Ghanaian and Chinese interactions.
Finally, through an investigation of how marginalised local communities attempt
to resist the appropriation of their lands by transnational Chinese actors, the study shows
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how local resistance elicits state response to deal with perceived threats to the
environment, safety and security. While negotiations and resistance in Ghana point to
evidence of agency, they also point to much more. They reflect real oppositional politics
borne out of struggle against marginalisation, inequality and injustice embedded in
historical, local and global context of dispossession and accumulation, domination and
exploitation, and poverty in the midst of wealth.

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Preface
This dissertation is an original work by Isaac Odoom. The research project, of
which this thesis is a part, received research ethics approval from the University of
Alberta Research Ethics Board under the Project Name “The Political Economy of
Ghana-China Development and Energy Relations”, and ID: Pro00031303 on June 15,
2012.
A revised version of Chapter Four of this dissertation has been published as Isaac
Odoom, “Dam in, Cocoa Out; Pipes in, Oil Out: China’s involvement in Ghana’s energy
Sector”, Journal of Asian and African Studies, (2015) 1–23 DOI: 0021909615599419. I
was the sole author.

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Dedication

For Gifty and Joy Ayeko Odoom

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Acknowledgement
This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118: 23-24).

I am very grateful to the many individuals and institutions whose support and
encouragement have facilitated the successful completion of this phase of my academic
journey. My special thanks go to my family. I am grateful to my wife (Gifty) for standing
behind and beside me throughout this journey. Gifty always tells me ‘God’s time is the
best’. Her patience, prayers and love throughout these years have been my anchor. My
thanks also go to my daughter, Joy Ayeko. There were hours and days she wouldn’t see
me at home. Sometimes when I my pick my bag to go to the library she will ask: “Daddy,
are you going again?” I thank her for ‘understanding’ to let me go and come back home. I
am eternally grateful to my mum Antie Bea, and my father J.K Odoom. My journey
started with them.
I wish to express my sincere thanks to my co-supervisor Dr Malinda S. Smith. Dr
Smith’s mentorship, advice, guidance and her interest and commitment to my work is
unparalleled. Her contribution to my scholarly training will never be forgotten. She was
available whenever I needed her assistance and she went out of her way to support me
beyond my dissertation whenever possible. I couldn’t have done this without her push. I
also owe deep appreciation to my co-supervisor, Dr Wenran Jiang for his encouragement,
advice, support and mentorship throughout my program. My thanks also go to Dr.
Temitope Oriola, my supervisory committee member, for his diligence, commitment and
series of advice. I will like to acknowledge Dr Mojtaba Mahdavi for accepting to be my
internal examiner on a short notice. I am most grateful to Dr Peter Arthur of Dalhousie
University for serving as my external examiner. I thank members of my candidacy
committee including Dr Andy W. Knight, Dr Tom Keating and Dr Isabel Altamirano-
Jimenez and Dr Ali Abdi for their guidance. As well, I appreciate the academic support
from faculties such as Dr Janine Brodie, Dr. Lois Harder, Dr Rob Aitken, and Dr Siobhan
Byrne.
My sincere appreciation goes to Dr Korbla Puplampu for the instrumental role he
played in getting me this far. I will forever be grateful to him for his support and attention
throughout my program of study. I thank Mr George Ortsin whose special support
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brought me to Canada for graduate studies. My special thanks go to Ms. Christina Mattey
and her family who took me as one of their own. I am also grateful to the Atta-Mensah
family for their incredible support and for being there for my family in Edmonton.
I also wish to express my appreciation to the University of Alberta’s department
of Political Science which granted me teaching/research assistantships and sessional
lectureships that gave me great teaching experience and also provided financial stability
during my studies. Special thanks go to Donna Coombs-Montrose for her invaluable
support all these years. I also thank Caroline and Cindy for their support throughout my
program.
I am very grateful to CIGI for providing the funds for my field trip to Ghana; the
Faculty of Art/Chinese Academy of Social Science Exchange Mobility Program for
sponsoring my trips to China; and the China Institute of the University of Alberta for
supporting the dissemination of my research. I wish to thank officials at the Bui Power
Authority, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ghana Gas Company, Danquah Institute, IMANI,
GIPC, and GUTA in Ghana who provided valuable information that assisted me to
complete this study.
I am indebted to many families and groups in Edmonton including Pastor Lashley
and family, Dr Ben-Awuah and family, Lordlin Owusu-Dwomoh and family, Dr Dzivenu
and family, The Edmonton Free Methodist Church and the Wesley Methodist Church for
their spiritual, emotional and material support throughout my program. I thank my friends
and colleagues in Ghana, Canada and around the world for their friendship and support
over the years. Friends and colleagues such as Ebo, Bro Kofi, Patrick, Buabeng, Lord,
Eddie, Nathan, Andrews, Eben, Mike, Owuraku, and Julius, just to name a few, have
been part of this success.
Above all, I am very grateful to Ewuradze Nyankopon (God Almighty) who has
been so faithful to me and my family and to whom all the glory for all my success rightly
belongs.

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Table of Content

Chapter 1:
Bringing ‘Africa’ into the Debate: An Introduction to Africa-China Relations 1

Introduction
Research Questions
Overview of Theoretical Framework
Methodology of the Study
Significance of Study
Scope of Study
Organization of Chapters

Chapter 2:
‘The Dragon Has Not Just Arrived’: An Historical Overview of Africa-China and
Ghana-China Relations 36

Introduction
From ‘Minimal Encounters’ to ‘Afro-Asian Solidarity’ to ‘South-South’ Cooperation
Contending Perspectives on China’s resurgence in Africa
Beyond Sino-Optimism/Sino-Pessimism in Africa-China Relations
Ghana-China Relations: An Historical Overview
Ghana-China Relations after Nkrumah
Conclusion

Chapter 3:
Towards a Critical Political Economy of Africa-China Development Relations 66

Introduction
African Political Independence and the Ideology of Development
Postwar Development Theory and Cooperation In Africa
Postcolonial Africa and the ‘Crisis of Development’
Ghana’s Post-colonial Political Economy
‘China in Africa’: A Model of South-South cooperation?
Theorising African Agency within and Below the State
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Resistance as agency: What, Who, Which resistance?
Conclusion

Chapter 4:
Major Factors Driving Ghana’s Contemporary Relations with China 114

Introduction
Framing Chinese Engagement in Ghana
Chinese Courtship and Friendship Toward Ghanaian Partners
Financing Infrastructure Development in Ghana
Atuabo Gas Project
Chinese intervention increases Ghana’s Leverage
The Bui Hydro Dam
Conclusion

Chapter 5:
Agency in Tight Corners?: Locating Ghanaian Agency in Ghana-China Energy
Relations 157

Introduction
The Role and Impact of Chinese Transnational Corporations
Case study 1: Chinese Interest in Ghana’s oil sector
The CNOOC and GNPC bid for Kosmos stake in Ghana’s Jubilee oil field
The $3 billion CDB loan and China’s access to Ghana’s oil
Case study 2: Ghanaian Workers, Sinohydro, and the Politics of Unionisation
Employment and working conditions at the Bui Dam
Unions can make a difference: The collective agency of Ghanaian workers
Conclusion

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