Sierra Leone President Dr Ernest Bai Koroma state visit to China The President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma is the first West African leader to visit China under President Xi Jinping government. This historic state visit demonstrates the strengthening of bilateral corporation between both Sierra Leone and China. In accordance, Sierra Leone can learn from the Chinese perspective on economic growth. China is indeed a great country with huge economic prospective and so on… it is believe China will soon overtake the US on foreign direct investment in Africa therefore, our leaders must place the right policies behind agreement to link corporation - and most importantly, our respective countries (Africa) must not be taken for granted. Africa has once subjected to unprofessional conduct and unfair treatment (as supposed partners) by the West, and Sierra Leone was not an exception to that unscrupulous treatment. Such bigotry behaviors have to STOP. However, if Sierra Leone is continuing to strengthen in bilateral partnership with country like China I suggest our leaders must work closely for our concerns, and they should prioritize the national interests of our people and engage in direct foreign investment / partnership. In terms of trades and partnership, Africa is certainly ready for trade as its emerges these days with the fastest growing economics in the world. Equally so, Africa is willing to open up with China on business purposes: but would China do the same in return? I doubt that because it’s evident that China is likewise to the Western countries that have poorer track record in doing clean business with African nations. The West is known for its hypocritical and economic exploitation of Africa. On the other hand, China have also show case the same approached in much logical way. In recent years, China economic engagement with Africa has exhibited on certain controversy because some communities across region are quarreling for fair treatment before the law with reference to land right and citizenry. This is because China is gradually seeking working contract and later impose its own laborer – on the local population. In theory, this is a clash of work opportunity. The irony is that, China is in search for weak trade partners to bully and it seem like there is no other continent to do that so they fine Africa. We have hard enough with these falsified foreign investors – that pose to take our people jobs and manipulation of Africa’s mineral and resources. We have had this experience of economic exploitation in the post colonial era so we don’t want our government leaders to make repeat mistake with China or the likewise. Let me take Ghana our closest brother African country as example; the Ghanaian latest Oil boom in Sekondi-Takoradi region. Before the oil boom Sekondi-Takoradi region was known for its inimitability in traditions and culture – truism, fisheries and some agriculture has been the economic basics. However since the discovery of oil in the region in the 1970s the livelihood and way of living of the local settlement have embark on change yet on the gloomy direction because of swift influx of investors, trades partner and workers from many different part of the world. The most pressing challenges to the people of Sekondi-Takoradi communities are the amount of Chinese laborer that have forced themselves pose to overtake the local workforce all in the name of skill shortages. Chinese contractor are moving into the country with grand motive to work on contract in line with their own laborer – and in some cases the least paid job is given to a Chinese laborer. This is contrast with the Sekondi-Takoradi community and Ghanaian in general are unequivocally unhappy about that. I my point of view, Sierra Leone – government should not allow such kind of trade partnership happen between our country and China. Nobody in this world can tell me: for instance, if China is overwhelmed with job opportunity would want to employ African worker – even as cheap laborer? I will bet my life to anyone who can prove me wrong. Even though China can still be partner in Africa yet Sierra Leonean leaders should watch closely and not to forgo the national interest and ended up dump like empty shoe. May God continue to guide good direction and leadership in Sierra Leone and the whole of Africa. I hope that President Dr Ernest Bai Koroma legacy will prolong for our future leaders to make example and create more economic possibilities in years ahead.
Posted on: Thu, 27 Jun 2013 08:40:24 +0000
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