Defining Chineseness in Chinese Infrastructure Projects in Africa: The Case of Ghana

ABSTRACT: This paper discusses and conceptualises the notion of Chineseness as related to infrastructure projects in Ghana and Africa more generally. Based on fieldwork in Ghana and secondary literature, our study combines two aspects. On the one hand, we undertake a nationality and origin-based analysis of all the elements (ownership, financing, design, consulting, construction standards, materials and equipment, labour practices) making up Chinese infrastructure projects in Ghana. On the other hand, we include perceptions of such projects as Chinese. Our analysis identifies different degrees of Chineseness in Ghana’s infrastructure projects, what we also describe as “diluted Chineseness.” We find that even projects perceived as “fully Chinese” are populated by other international and local actors. Our study further reveals how portrayals of such infrastructure projects as “fully Chinese” are used by different actors to push different agendas – at times expressing opposite views about the Chinese presence in Africa. KEYWORDS: Chineseness, Ghana, Africa, China, Chinese companies, infrastructure projects.