Disentangling the Dynamics of Small Power-Big Power Relations: A Case Study of the Us-Ghana Relations under the Fourth Republic

Abstract

This study primarily aimed to examine how Ghana has been working to manage its relations with the US and, then, take the middle-of-the-road-position in the US-China hegemonic struggles under the Fourth Republic. The study adopted the qualitative method to collect and analyze the primary data. It used both the structured interview and unstructured interview to engage its participants. The unstructured interview not only promoted a free flow discussion but also provided the participants with the latitude to express themselves well. This allowed the study’s questions to develop and refine, thereby unraveling sensitive issues during the exercise. The study found that the US-Ghana relations witnessed reciprocal Presidential visits and major policy initiatives in late 1990s-2000s. However, it reversed into the ‘shithole’ and ‘deportees’ conflicts in 2018-2020s. Then again, the US-Ghana relations re-witnessed major official visits and policy initiatives in 2020s and onwards. Besides, the study found that: [a] Ghana positions itself between Democracy (The West) and Socialism (The East) and [b] The US hegemonic declines, the declines in large scale US aid to Ghana, US sanitary and phytosanitary [SPS] measures, and the US-Ghana skirmishes under President Trump prompted Ghana to ‘de-align’ with the US and ‘re-align’ with China in the area of, inter alia, trade and foreign direct investment. Still, it found that: [a] Under the ‘successes’, the AGOA has contributed to enhance, among others, democracy and commerce in Ghana, [b] Under the ‘side effects’, the AGOA has worked to worsen, inter alia, health and sanitation issues in Ghana, and [c] Under the ‘backlash effects’, the AGOA has contributed to undermine, among others, local industries and traditional values/norms in Ghana. Furthermore, the study found that: [1] Ghana’s ironclad principle of balanced neutrality is a strong [or positive] force in the US-Ghana relations and [2] The nation’s ‘moral defenses’, its roller coaster economic growth, and swelling debts are weak [or negative] forces in the US-Ghana relations. The study concluded that the ‘side effects’ largely lack the potential to: [a] allow the US to “turn” around to invade and exploit Ghana’s resources and (b) backlash the core purpose for which the AGOA was created. However, the ‘backlash effects’ largely have the potential to: [a] allow the US to “turn” around to invade and exploit Ghana’s resources and (b) backlash the core purpose for which the AGOA was created. Finally, it calls on the US to help: [a] build railway lines and roads within and across Ghana, [b] expand and intensify its capacity building programs, and [c] inject cash into the Small Holder Farmers [SHFs], Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises [SMEs] in Ghana. This will go a long way to boost the nation’s competitiveness in the US market.