African's Chinese Dream

Coming back from a trip to China, I can't help noticing increasing number of Africans working and living in Chinese cities.

Every foreigner is called Laowai in Chinese, and Africans, especially sub-Sahara Africans are in particular noticeable due to their dark skin color. During the morning rush hour, you will encounter passing a young black lady who might on her way to work. There are estimated around 200,000 Africans in the Southern city Guangzhou alone, the number could be fluctuate largely due to many of them are staying illegally and underground.

While waiting for a flight in Accra some time last year, I met a Ghanaian who is doing business in the Northeastern city of Xi'an, mainly dealing used PC, the business model is quite sustainable as he has since established himself. He also found a group of countrymen, most of Africans pursuing their Chinese Dreams are men in 30s-40s, they are religious and go to a local church on Sundays, and eat together after the services.

"we are living a separate lives than the Chinese, we don't interact except for business purpose." The middle-aged Ghanaian businessman told me. He added that the money is easier and opportunities are plenty, however, separating from families can easily draw down spirits some time.

I sensed a bitterness in his feelings towards Chinese attitude towards Africans. While we talked, there was another Chinese man in his 20s waiting for a flight going back to his hometown in Shandong province. The Chinese questioned the Ghanaian, bluntly, the authenticity of their worship for God. (The Ghanaian, while answered the question, obviously offended and moved away where the Chinese man sat)

One information looking for animal breeding beds sellers, posted on Xian's public info protal,
requesting no inquiry/response from Africans.

As more and more locals I met in Accra look to China as the New Continent, instead of traditionally U.S. or Europe to realize their dreams for a better life, China will likely see more Africans flowing in. However, unless there is more positive description and real attitude change towards these dark-skinned dream seekers, there will likely more bitterness felt in both groups.

Bang for Banku

Have you heard or even tried the Ghana national soul food, an equivalent of chicken noodle soup in the U.S.? The difference, the Banku is WAY heavy and starchy.

Banku is such a starchy food, you almost need to eat and sleep. A young Ghananian friend in his 20s, educated in the U.S. and once worked in China, told me that he has a guilt feeling for not being able to eat Banku for lunch at work, but he don't want to be found sleeping on the job.

Banku is a starchy ball made of plantine, maze and other local grown grains. The ball is then put in a soup source, usually a light soup(not light at all!), groundnut soup or palm soup. And then it is added with a piece of chicken or fish along with chicken or fish source.

I recently discovered an excellent article written by a Ghanaian about Banku, both informative and interesting. Enjoy!

Language Barrier

It seems everyone is talking about language barrier between Ghanaian and Chinese.

One director at the Ministry of Tourism here in Accra complained to me that the Chinese employers in Ghana are not hiring or training locals, due to language barrier.

Meanwhile, Economic councilor at the Chinese Embassy said the misunderstanding between the Chinese employers and their Ghanaian employees because of language barrier.

He urged Ghanaians to learn Chinese.

Considering 387 Chinese companies operating in Ghana, it could provide enough incentives for people who want to get ahead and improve marketability.

However, looking around, there are nowhere to see any advertisements for Chinese learning, while French, Spanish are abundant. A new Chinese language center, with the help of the Embassy, just established this year in the University of Ghana, the premier high education institute in Ghana.

The time will come for the barrier to eventually come down, and there will have many nascent language learners.