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China’s New Line on Ghana Debt: We Own Less Than 5%, so Why Are You Talking to Us?

by Eric Olander
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning addressed Ghana's appeal for debt relief at the Ministry's regular press briefing in Beijing on March 2, 2023. Image via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Even though talks between Chinese creditors and the Ghanaian government are now underway in Accra to restructure the country’s $1.7 billion of bilateral debt, a narrative that Beijing is delaying the process is taking hold in the Ghanaian media.

The problem stems from the postponement of a high level visit to China led by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta that was to have happened last Friday, the day before China’s annual legislative gathering known as the Two Sessions. Instead, the China Exim Bank dispatched officials to meet with Ofori-Atta and Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey in Accra.

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