Audio Attachment:Listen to Kofi Adams |
Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has called for cautious optimism as the Mills� administration finalizes contractual agreements to assess a $3billion loan facility from the China Development Bank (CDB).
To him, the CDB should not be considered as a �Father Christmas� giving out grants nor should the belief which is gradually taking hold in Africa that Chinese money is �easy� money be believed, since they (CDB), has a high productive rate and will definitely demand repayment for the loans they have handed out in some time to come.
Contributing to discussions on Peace FM�s Kokrokoo Morning Show, Kofi Adams conceded that after listening to the line of argument put forward by the Executive Director of IMANI-Ghana, Franklin Cudjoe, he considers the counsel that �the government shouldn�t place all of its eggs in one basket" as a "good advice" and does not think it is out of place.
In cautioning the ruling administration not to put all its eggs in the CDB loan basket, IMANI-Ghana said a misconception has grown regarding the rigour of credit evaluation by Chinese financial institutions of opportunities in Africa, and this is leading to confusion and disappointment in many African countries when pledged monies ultimately delay by several years.
�A good case in point is the $2. 6 billion pledged by China Union to Liberia for the development of the Bong iron deposits. Nearly 3 years on and 2 amendments later, the Chinese partners are still scrutinizing the terms of the deal, with very little actual cash having been seen in Liberia,� IMANI-Ghana said.
But the Spokesperson for ex-president Rawlings was dismissive of that line of argument stressing that if the Chinese failed in their transactions with some other countries because of economic reasons, Ghana�s case would be different because of its vibrant economy.
�In terms of our economic performance, you can�t compare Liberia to Ghana,� he said.
Source: Chris Joe Quaicoe/Peacefmonline.com
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