Despite China's investment in Africa's growth, some critics say that China has also produced financial burdens on African countries. And there are worries about their ability to pay back loans. To address these concerns, CGTN's host Liu Xin talked with Alan Kyerematen, Ghana's Minister of Trade and Industry and the former ambassador of Ghana to the US.

ALAN KYEREMATENMINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY, GHANA "Already most African countries, including Ghana, are overburdened with debts. Once you are burdened with debts, it has certain multiple effects on your economy, and it becomes a vicious cycle. The only way you can break the cycle is to attract foreign direct investment in joint ventures with local companies. If Chinese companies either through their own resources or by borrowing from Chinese banks can partner with our local private sector, then the issue of debts does not arise. They are investments. So we don't want our relationship only to be focused on EPC, we want it to be a partnership also based on investments so that we can avoid this challenge. That for me is very clear. There are a lot of Chinese companies that want to relocate. I know China now is going through a different phase in their development, rising labor costs, and moving into new sectors. So with the traditional breaking water into manufacturing now it's time for China – whether state-owned enterprises or private companies – to see how they will work directly with the local private sector in Ghana and in Africa. In that case, the issue of debt does not arise and becomes basically a win-win situation and to strengthen our friendship."