Mr. Edward Boateng, the Director-General of Ghana’s State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) and Ghana’s immediate past Ambassador to China, has emphasised the critical importance of green development infrastructure in shaping a sustainable global future. Drawing inspiration from China’s remarkable journey, he highlighted key lessons that Africa and Ghana can learn to foster economic prosperity at the 3rd China-Africa Infrastructure Cooperation Forum held in Changsha, Hunan China from June 29 to July 2, 2023.
Acknowledging China’s commitment to green development, he emphasised the urgent need for action. He mentioned that China’s rapid economic growth was without environmental challenges, such as pollution and resource depletion. However, China’s journey and actions in recent times demonstrate that remedial action is possible and preservation necessary. Such actions require tough policy decisions which should be implemented vigorously.
Ambassador Boateng was one of the primary implementers of the China Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) during his time as Ghana’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, from June 2017 to September 2020. CAETE was one of the eight pillars proposed by President Xi Jinping during the 2018 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation as part of his broader vision of a community of a shared future for development under the Belt and Road Initiative.
According to Boateng, China exemplifies now that economic prosperity and environmental conservation can coexist due to the country’s massive success in green development and ecosystem restoration and preservation. Anchoring a sustainable future in Africa, and Ghana for that matter, requires investments in new infrastructure. China’s ambitious projects, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, incorporate green buildings, electric transportation and eco-industrial park in its designs. This emphasis on new infrastructure enhances resource efficiency, minimises emissions, and fosters sustainable urbanisation, inspiring other nations to follow suit.
A further vital component of China’s success, according to Mr. Boateng, is the country’s embrace of new technology. By integrating cutting-edge technologies like the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, and Block chain, China has optimised sustainability practices and adopted efficient energy management systems. Additionally, China has embraced varied forms of energy, such as solar, wind, hydro, biomass and geothermal energy; thereby significantly reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
He attributed documented progress of China’s green development initiatives to robust policy frameworks, institutional support, and immense international collaboration and further called for adaptation of the best practices by representatives present. “Clear policies, favourable business environments, and knowledge-sharing platforms have been instrumental in driving sustainable change in China. The lessons learned from China’s experiences emphasise the need for long-term planning, stakeholder engagement, and adaptive strategies to ensure the sustainability and resilience of green development initiatives across many countries,” he said.
Globally, governments are committed to ensuring initiatives and projects are linked to sustainability. As Africa embarks on its quest to become a green continent, lessons from China and other countries which have made headway in this nascent field is encouraged.
The expo was also attended by Ghana’s Ambassador to China, Dr. Winfred Nii Okai Hammond, as well as members of the diplomatic corps and senior government officials from Africa and China.
