Journal of Asian and African Studies 1–23 © The Author(s) 2015 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/0021909615599419 jas.sagepub.com J A A S Dam In, Cocoa Out; Pipes In, Oil Out: China’s Engagement in Ghana’s Energy Sector Isaac Odoom University of Alberta, Canada Abstract Ghana, like other African countries, suffers a huge infrastructure gap. In recent times China has become a major bilateral source of investment in Ghana’s energy infrastructure. This article examines the strategic importance of Chinese infrastructure investment in Ghana’s energy sector in recent times. The study is based on field research conducted by the author in Ghana and on the analysis of semi-structured interviews with Ghanaian policy makers, journalists, civil society organizations, academics and individuals. Additional data were collected on some key projects China has been sponsoring in the energy sector. The paper suggests that China has become a key partner in Ghana’s development efforts as its provision of infrastructural projects soars and its involvement in Ghana’s economy grows. Yet China’s engagement presents a complex dynamic given its dual role as financier of energy infrastructure and at the same time a competitor or seeker of Ghana’s oil and other natural resources. Keywords Ghana, energy, infrastructure, China, cocoa, oil Introduction As with other African countries, China’s economic, political and cultural engagement with Ghana has increased significantly in recent times. China is now Ghana’s single largest trading economy. In 2014, bilateral trade between the two countries reached US$4billion and China’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Ghana reached US$1.11billion the same year, accounting for 65.7% of total FDI to Ghana. 1 Today Ghana-China trade exceeds US$5billion. 2 However, China’s presence and involvement in Ghana’s economy is not new; it goes back to pre-independence days. 3 As the first sub-Saharan African nation to gain political independence, Ghana established official diplomatic relations with China in July 1960. Since establishing formal relations, Ghana–China relations have been important for both sides. Ghana occupies an important place in China’s Africa policy—both historically and currently. As one of China’s closest allies in Africa during the independence struggle, Ghana served as a focal point of entry for China’s influence on the continent, and was considered a training ground Corresponding author: Isaac Odoom, Department of Political science, University of Alberta, 10-16 Henry Marshall Tory Building, Edmonton, AB Alberta, T6G 2H4, Canada. Email: iodoom@ualberta.ca 599419JAS 0 0 10.1177/0021909615599419Journal of Asian and African StudiesOdoom research-article 2015 Article at UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA LIBRARY on December 17, 2015 jas.sagepub.com Downloaded from