President Akufo-Addo has recently defended China overwhelming involvement and participation in Ghana’s economy, saying they have been “friends” and “strong partners” who have helped Ghana in difficult times.

He was speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha, where he also announced his intention to return to the international market to borrow for infrastructural projects.

There are several schools of thoughts about the president’s position on China -Ghana relations especially at a time when Ghana is high in debt and should be finding ways to sustain these debts and hopefully arrive at low level of debt or better still a solvent country.

However, for many that does not seem to be the case, as the President seems to keep playing into the hands of global monetary powers like China and the United States amongst others.

President Akufo-Addo’s remarks come amid concerns over a recent IMF report that has warned that Ghana could lose its mineral resources and electricity revenues to China if it defaults on repaying a $1.9 billion debt.

The debt is part of a $2 billion bauxite-for-infrastructure deal that Ghana signed with Chinese state-owned firm Sinohydro Corp in 2018. Under the deal, Sinohydro Corp would invest in Ghana's infrastructure, such as roads, highways and power dams, and in return, Ghana would use the proceeds from the sale of bauxite, refined bauxite and aluminium to repay the loans.

In the past two decades, Ghana has been a significant recipient of Chinese loans, with approximately $5 billion borrowed for key infrastructure projects according to reports. Many Ghanaians are wondering how many projects China has funded in Ghana and the extent of Chinese influence on Ghana’s economy. To answer this, The Independent Ghana takes a look at about 20 major projects fully or partially funded by China that covers various sectors of the economy.

China has funded several major infrastructure projects in Ghana over the years. Some of the notable ones include:

The Bui Dam

The Bui Dam is a hydroelectric power project that was financed by the Chinese government. It has significantly contributed to Ghana's electricity generation capacity, providing a stable source of power for both domestic and industrial use. The funding for the project was provided by China Exim Bank according to the project’s website, “through a concessional loan of $270m, a commercial loan of $292m, and $60m in funding from the Government of Ghana. The two loans were offered by China Ex-Im Bank, with a grace period of five years and an amortisation period of 20 years”.

The construction of the dam started in 2007 and was completed in 2013. The dam has a height of 108m and a length of 492m. It has three turbines with a total installed capacity of 400MW. The reservoir created by the dam has a capacity of 12.57 billion cubic metres. The project also involved the construction of two saddle dams and a transmission system. The project faced some environmental and social challenges, such as the flooding of part of the Bui National Park and the resettlement of 1,216 people.

The Kwame Nkrumah Interchange

The Kwame Nkrumah Interchange is located in the heart of Accra and was constructed to alleviate traffic congestion challenges that were becoming unbearable. It is one of the largest interchanges in West Africa and has significantly eased traffic congestion, improving transportation efficiency and connectivity in the capital city. The interchange was funded by China, and the China Development Bank provided a loan of $100 million. Construction started in 2013 and was completed in 2016.

The Eastern Corridor Road

The Eastern Corridor Road is a vital transportation route that connects various regions in Ghana, and China has provided funding for the construction and rehabilitation of this road, enhancing connectivity and facilitating trade and economic activities along the corridor. The China Development Bank provided a loan of $649 million, and construction began in 2012 and is still ongoing.

Atuabo Gas Processing Plant

The Atuabo Gas Processing Plant is a natural gas processing plant located in the Ellembele District of the Western Region in Ghana. It was developed as part of the Western Corridor Gas Infrastructure Development project, which aims to evacuate and process gas from offshore fields. The project includes the construction of an offshore raw natural gas pipeline, an onshore pipeline, processing plant, and an office complex.

The construction of the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant began in 2011 and was financed by a $3 billion Master Facility Agreement from the China Development Bank. The loan amount for the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant was $850 million and was part of the Western Corridor Gas Infrastructure Development Project. The Aboadze Thermal Plant is a separate facility that uses the gas processed at the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant to generate electricity. The Atuabo Gas Processing Plant has a design capacity of 150 MMScfd and a normal operating capacity of 120 MMScfd.

Tamale International Airport Expansion

The expansion project involved upgrading and expanding the airport's capacity, improving facilities and accommodating larger aircraft. The project included runway extension, construction of a new terminal building, installation of modern navigation systems, and improvement of other airport infrastructure. The construction was undertaken by China Jiangsu International and financed through a $150m China Exim Bank loan. The airport expansion was funded by China Exim Bank, which provided a loan of $100 million.

Ridge Hospital Expansion Project

The Ridge Hospital, located in Accra, underwent a significant expansion and redevelopment. The project aimed to enhance healthcare services and increase the hospital's capacity to serve the growing population. It included the construction of new buildings, expansion of existing facilities, installation of modern medical equipment, and improvement of infrastructure to provide quality healthcare services to the community. Funding: China Exim Bank provided a loan of $162 million.

Kasoa Interchange

The Kasoa Interchange project focused on the improvement of transportation infrastructure in the Kasoa area, a busy commercial hub near Accra. The project involved the construction of an interchange to ease traffic congestion, enhance road safety, and improve connectivity between different parts of the region. It aimed to facilitate smoother movement of vehicles, reduce travel time, and enhance economic activities in the area.Funding: China Exim Bank provided a loan of $82 million.