Institutions and Political Powerlessness in the Face of Chinese ‘Invasion’

By Alex Bossman Baafi

This article is no way intended to discount the relationship that is subsisting between this country and our Chinese development partners. It is also not meant to rubbish the important role the Chinese business community plays in the development of our country. We will continue to respect all foreign nationals who lawfully engage their businesses in the country as is done anywhere in the World.

I was highly disappointed by the failure of our State Institutions including the Immigration Service, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Minerals Commission, Forestry Commission and the Government to put the security and economic well-being of our citizens above the interest of certain Chinese who had come to the country purposely to engage in illegal mining popularly known as Galamsey. Last Thursday there was a report of exchange of gunshots between the youth of Manso-Nsiana in the Ashanti region and these alleged illegal Chinese galamsey operators. How these Chinese managed to acquire a vast track of land in the hinterland to begin their destructive illegal activities is what is beating the imagination of the good people of this country. This unfortunate incidence was aired during that evening TV News and it was shocking.

We have failed as a nation to take our destiny into our own hands. We have more often than not relied heavily of foreigners to determine our future and in the process; these foreigners take our people for a ride because of abject poverty. Most of these people invade, encroach and destroy our farmland and water bodies because the institutions and government of this country are powerless. Remember the Fulani menace that has become albatross on our neck for example, when are we going to be serious as a nation? Our citizens have become slaves on our own land of our birth with the authorities not raising fingers.

Sadly, our institutions and the government have failed to control home security issues. These foreigners, especially, the Chinese and the Fulanis have become wealthier and powerful here in our country and are engaging in illegal activities with impunity. Where can this happen but in our country.

For me, there are three (3) negative aspects of these foreigners invading our country.

First, the arrival of these Chinese and Fulanis had brought economic dislocation. Our retail businesses have been disrupted locally and regionally. Whilst the Chinese in retail businesses have their trade booming, that of our people is collapsing. This disruption has hit hard the poorer classes in our society more than never before. It has therefore led to increase in joblessness and hence poverty. The Fulani and their cattle have succeeded to destroy farmland of our farmers, killing, maiming and raping many in the process with no hope coming from anywhere.

Second, though we have our independence, there is still a sense of economic and political powerlessness. For example, the government largely has made it a point that without the support of the Chinese $3billion loan, the future in terms of infrastructural development of this country is hopelessly uncertain. We have perhaps pledged our loyalty to China and therefore their nationals then become untouchables in our country no matter what they do because our institutions and government are powerless. When are we going to sit up?

Third, as our authorities have perhaps sold our destiny to the Chinese, it has culminated into inevitable neo-colonial exploitation of our resources. Yes, China, bargaining from a position of strength requires a certain percentage of our minerals resources including Gold and Oil to siphone off and send to their country, otherwise what a hell are they here to engage in illegal galamsey?

The lack of political commitment to deal swiftly with these Chinese and Fulani menace had created a vacuum in the heart of the good people of this country. Powerful and serious-minded governance can only fill that vacuum. The reversal of the current socio-economic and political realities that are threatening the very existence of the masses can be realized with change for a political force that will put the interest of our nation and its people first. Forgetting the security, economic and political needs of the people is as useless as exercising the mandate of the people in powerlessness manner.

Please, our institutions including the Police and the Government, act because the people of this country deserve better.

Email: abkbossman@yahoo.co.uk