Ghanaian Perceptions of the United States and China

 The Third World Quarterly published on 17 June 2026 a research article titled "Navigating Cooperation with Great Powers: Elite Perceptions of U.S. and Chinese Economic Engagement in Ghana in the Twenty-first Century" by Monika Rozalska, Paulina Matera, and Bartosz Kowalski.

This study is based on in-depth interviews with a limited sample--22 Ghanaian university professors, government officials, and non-governmental leaders.  It concludes that both China and the United States engage in neocolonial practices to varying degrees.  While both countries promote development, it is questionable whether their activities align with Ghanaian priorities.  Beijing and Washington emphasize access to raw materials over empowering local industrial development.  As a result, Ghana pursues a policy of balance towards the United States and China.  

China's Increasing Focus on Food Security in Africa

 Agricultural & Food Policy published in October 2023 an article titled "China's 'Hunan Model' for Realising China-Africa Food Security" by Lauren A. Johnston.  

The paper explores the role of the Chinese province of Hunan in Xi Jinping's most recent plan to modernize African agriculture.  Food security has become an increasingly important part of the China-Africa relationship.  

China-Russia Cooperation in Africa

 The Russian International Affairs Council and Institute of International and Strategic Studies of Peking University published in 2021 a study titled "China-Russia Bilateral Cooperation in Africa."

The report reflects the different political experiences of Russia and China in Africa and the current asymmetry of their respective  resource bases.  It also shows that Russia and China hold close positions on fundamental issues of world politics.  There are no irreconcilable differences between the two countries.  The report concludes that Russia and China are not competing for influence in Africa, but, on the contrary, can complement each other's efforts.  

What Follows the Russia-Africa Summit?

Eurasia Review published on 12 November 2019 a commentary titled "After Sochi, What Next for Africa?" by Kester Kenn Klomegah, a consultant on African affairs in the Russian Federation and Eurasian Union.

Heads of state from 45 African countries attended the Russia-Africa summit in Sochi in late October and all 54 African countries were represented. The participants agreed to establish the Russis-Africa Partnership Forum, which will meet every three years. The question now, however, is where does this relationship go from here. Russia must still demonstrate that it is serious about expanding relations in Africa.

Egypt Reaches Out to Africa

This Is Africa published on 30 March 2015 a commentary titled "New Energy, Historic Relationships: Why Egypt Is Strengthening Its African Ties" by Karim Sadek, managing director of an African investment firm on the Cairo Stock Exchange.

The author argues that the recent Egyptian Economic Development Conference at Sharm el Sheikh shows that Egypt understands the urgency of accelerating engagement with sub-Saharan Africa.  He cites expanding ties with Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda. 

China's Engagement with African Regional Economic Communities

The Centre for Chinese Studies at Stellenbosch University published in September 2014 a summary titled "African Regional Communities' Engagement with China" by Daouda Cisse, Ross Anthony, Meryl Burgess, and Harrie Esterhuyse. 

The policy brief argued that the engagement has the potential to offer significant benefits to African countries by way of transnational free trade regions, single customs unions, single markets, single currencies, and other forms of political and economic integration that may strengthen both inter-regional and international trade as well as creating more robust solutions to issues of food, climate, health, and political security.  At the same time, implementation has proved a formidable challenge.

China's View of South Africa's Role in the BRICS and the G-20

The South African Institute of International Affairs published in December 2012 a paper titled "South Africa's Role in the BRICS and the G-20: China's View" by Wang Yong, director of the Center for International Political Economy Research at Peking University in Beijing.  He is also a professor at the Party School of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Wang Yong writes that Chinese analysts believe South Africa holds a uniquely advantageous position among the BRICS which could help African countries to play a greater role in international affairs.  He also says that China and South Africa share the same or similar views on international affairs.

Russia in Africa

Ghanaian Kester Kenn Klomegah, Inter Press Service correspondent in Moscow has done some excellent reporting and analysis on Russia's recent engagement with Africa. In a nutshell, he argues that Russia is under performing in Africa, especially as compared to countries like China and India.

I particularly recommend his 10 August 2012 piece in Think Africa Press titled "Russia's Relations with Africa Floundering." Click here to read it.

He also posted on Russia beyond the Headlines on 9 August 2012 an article titled "Promoting Russia's Culture in Africa" and in Modern Ghana News on 17 April 2012 an article titled "Understanding Russia-African Economic Cooperation."

Click here to read the former and here to read the latter.