Cassava Tuesdays: The Soft Power of Ghana "Home of Culture & Hospitality"

Ghana is home to over 24 million people but to anyone that has ever had the pleasure of visiting two adjectives describe the country: Culture & Hospitality.

Capital: Accra
Official Language Spoken: English
Religion: Christianity and Islam
Currency: Ghana CEDI
President: William (Nana)Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
Vice President: Mahamudu Bawumia

Ghana

I am sure by now, you know our term to describe African Soft Power is Cassava Diplomacy! You also understand the application of Soft power right? For a refresher on Soft Power, just look at the last Cassava Tuesday Entry. 

In 1957, Ghana was the wealthiest country in Sub-Sahara Africa and the first to get its independence in West Africa. 

“Did you know that in the late 1950’s, Ghana and South Korea had similar per capita income??”

Ghana focused on socialist protectionist trade policies, in the name of Pan African Socialism. This type of policy is known as imported substitution policy.

“A trade and economic policy which advocates replacing foreign imports with domestic production.
In order words: SAY NO or greatly reduce foreign dependency by focusing on local production of industrialized products.”

— What is Import Substitution Policy? Water & Cassava

This is what your chocolate looks like fresh, Cocoa Fruit. 

Cocoa Beans

“So where did things go South for Ghana and North for South Korea?”

— Water & Cassava

Chocolate became the downfall of Ghana. The Ghanaian government used tax revenues from the export of cocoa to subsidize the development of other industries in the country. Their entire hope was on cocoa with the belief that this would support the domestic market and lead to self-sufficiency within the manufactured goods sector. They would be able to export these "Ghanaian made goods" but more importantly, this will allow for sophisticated manufactured goods. 

 But the reality looked more like this: 

 Cocoa farmers in Ghana suffered from the government’s policy of import substitution and price control as it made them poorer. All productive resources because of ISP (Import Substitution Policy) moved away from goods that had an advantage (like cocoa :(..) and into goods that had much higher production costs. Local people in Ghana were forced to pay higher prices for inferior goods and the available productive resources that were available, the government did not put it to good use.
 

“An inferior good is a type of good for which demand declines as the level of income or real GDP in the economy increases. ”

— The Guys and Girls in Investopedia

Farmers needing to survive turned to self-sufficiency farming on land designated for growing cocoa. These inefficiencies and lack of diversity in development will put a brake on the economic development of Ghana. 

“The case of Kimchi Land and Survival ”

— Water & Cassava

South Korea was successful because it focused on open free trade policies. They took all their resources not just a particular sector but EVERYTHING to make this work. South Korea shifted from agriculture to intensive manufactured goods such as footwear and textiles. Open free trade policies led to Koreans getting most of their Won ( Korean currency) and earning more in wages. 
Combine such efforts, country branding in the name of soft power, technologies made in Korea by Koreans, you have Kimchi Diplomacy.  Unfortunately, Ghana never saw country branding as a tool for country development in the past, but it appears a change is coming. 

... BACK TO GHANA & SOFT POWER

Ghana is working on understanding and applying the importance of country branding and the application of this process in their diplomacy.
 

“To the Ghana Diaspora: You share responsibility in country branding and patronizing ”

— Water & Cassava

It appears Ghana will focus on forms of Gastronomy and Tourism as a soft power tool. Soft Power tools in Ghana also include Sports (football). I touched on the role of China and Stadium Diplomacy in Africa in the past. Ghana played an important role with the genesis of this relationship. Read about that here:

So let's watch, the GHANAIAN GOVERNMENT on soft power 

Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia invites visitors to Ghana to try various Ghanaian cuisine, especially the country's 'world famous jollof rice'

Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Catherine Afeku says Ghana's heritage, culture, democratic credentials, respect for rule of law and friendliness makes the country the preferred tourism destination in West Africa

Meanwhile in Seoul, South Korea....

Asian Boss

Ghana has strong ties to South Korea already through popular culture with Ghanaian born actor Sam Okyere. He is very popular in Seoul and is fluent in the language. We will keep tabs on how the Ghana government applies soft power through him. In addition, we will monitor just how Ghana will use soft power tools in the African region and in other Asian Spaces 

Until next Cassava Tuesday!

Cassava Tuesdays:The Kingdom of Morocco-A King,The Kingdom &Soft Power

Trinkets from the Kingdom

Morocco has the distinctive pleasure of holding the unique title “Kingdom”. There are just two other countries known as Kingdoms: Lesotho and Swaziland. 

Capital: Rabat
Largest City: Casablanca
Languages Spoken: Arabic, Berber, French and Spanish
Religion: Islam
Currency: Dirham
Leader of the Empire: King: Mohammed VI
Prime Minister: Saad-Eddine El Othmani

just a tad bit on Soft power

By this time, you understand the definition of Soft Power and how it works. However, you understand Soft Power in our conversations is referred to as Cassava Diplomacy. I believe as the years go by, this word will continue to expand and maybe some attributes might not be part of this word, hence (...).

                                            Here is a snap shot of Cassava Diplomacy
 

.....FIRST WE MUST ADDREDSS the Arab Spring

“Oh, Shit has hit ceiling!”

— Everyone watching the Arab Spring live on every social media platform

The Arab Spring was a combination of: Change of Demographics, Human Rights Concerns, Economic Disparities, Political Reforms + Social Media......You get this PBS News Hour video aired in 2011 

“A wave of anti-government protests and uprisings that included civilians and armed militias that spread across the Middle East and North Africa in 2011”

— Water & Cassava, Formal Definition of the Arab Spring

“MOROCCO, HOW DID YOU AVOID THE WRATH OF THE ARAB SPRING??????”

Perhaps, Morocco avoided the wrath, because of the new constitution that was introduced in 2010 as a result of pressure to reform, thus giving the parliament and prime minister more powers. 

Remember, protest during the Arab Spring were surrounded on reform of (Fill in the blank), this is not to say Morocco perfected this and doesn't have some issues. However, sometimes facing your shit in the face will prevent your shit been tossed to your face. I know harsh language, recall I expressed this blog is not for your virgin ears. 

There are so many layers to this new softer image of the Kingdom, to understand that, you must read up on The African Growth and Opportunity Act.

Morocco is an Allie to the United States in the war against terrorism, but you wonder WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH THEIR SOFT POWER? 

Have a seat, eat Tajine and have some tea.... 

ou must understand the importance of collaborating with powerful states as a country developing niche diplomacy in the name of Cassava Diplomacy. Through smart strategies, the Kingdom has used economic incentives, culture, education, and religion to craft a very unique soft power.

Understand that Soft Power is only as convincing and attractive, as soon as a great power supports or condones this influence, you have been so kind to toss on to the global stage. 
The United States is a "SUPERPOWER STATE" and while it pays to have friends in high places, it will take to you places far and beyond when you are friends with a country that is hegemony itself.... 

The United States with all the Hard Power has had difficulties dealing with Africa and engaging with radicalization and terrorism, a great example of this efforts "Libya".

Morocco is dealing with development and keeping the peace through promoting its own unique Soft Power by supporting the stabilization of fragile neighbors. Morocco is known for Sufism, which is considered a quite moderate version of Islam compared to the practices of neighboring countries. 

The Mohammed VI Institute was formed in 2015 with France as a partner (Global Influence) to train Imams to combat extremism and terrorism through teachings of moderation and tolerance. The Imams are men and women from Mali, Guinea Conakry, Nigeria, Libya and Tunisia please read that twice.

“..Imagine an African state introducing Feminism in International Relations, yet I have yet to see a Female Pope. ”

— Water & Cassava

Morocco has applied moderation to economic and sociopolitical development in efforts to promote stabilization. 

Billions of dollars have been invested in the National Human Development Initiative by King Mohammed VI to improve the well beings of Moroccans. (Domestic Influence )

The largest investor in Ivory Coast largest is Morocco (Regional Influence), with over 22% of the companies being Moroccan. Read more on that here:
 

In the field of technology, the Kingdom started in 2015 to build the world's largest concentrated largest solar plant, read more on that here:
        

Did I mention, while the Kingdom's neighbors were experiencing destabilization and consequently less FDI (Foreign Direct Investment), the Kingdom enjoyed a profit of 11% in FDI. That will be roughly €3.6 billion, in addition to contracts signed by the king in investments worth €688.7 million with other countries throughtout the globe. Read more on this here:

Did, I mention the influence of the Kingdom with one of the newest countries in the global system, South Sudan? Read more on this here:

Now that you understand, the strategies behind the Kingdom using economic incentives, culture, education, and religion to craft soft power..... Let's speak Marrakesh

WHY IS MARRAKESH SO ATTRACTIVE TO TOURIST??

Marrakesh is exactly the fantasy travelers have of North Africa, from the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara, the Souks and the beautiful terrain, it is something from a travel memoir. You can ride Camels at the entrance to the Sahara and experience the Sunset. By the way, you will never experience a sunset as that in the Sahara. Did I mention, you can see all the constellations at night in the Sahara? There is hospitality but as everywhere you visit, you will bump into interesting characters that will test your patience on cultural relativism.  

The King and his kingdom still have a long way to go with soft power, but they are making strong strides and building strong foundations with neighbors close and far and the international community. 

Ultimately the constant attraction for Marrakesh will always be hospitality and color. We all need just a bit more color in life and hospitality to deal. 

Cassava Tuesdays: Africa Gastrodiplomacy

             The Heavens and Food   

                Ambrosia of ancient Greece gave immortality to the Gods which allowed them to govern mankind.  The Golden Apples in Norse Mythology that allows the Nordic Gods to stay alive and immortal to rule mankind. Peaches of Immortality in Ancient China, Yams for the Igbo Tribe(Nigeria) is used to honor the Earth goddess Ala. In the Abrahamic faiths, food is used as a form of governance with foods considered "unholy" and "holy", there is even a particular way to prepare food and animals. Humans, who do not prescribe to such governance, negatively affect their chance to enter heaven.
        Food is a material and symbolic representation of culture; it allows people to communicate values, attitudes and identities. Delicate and Rare cuisine is associated with high social ranks in society. Cooking and Hospitality create opportunities for dialogue and often the first step towards diplomacy. .  
         Gastrodiplomacy is an edible soft power, unlike other soft power examples; you can drink, eat, touch and smell it. The new diplomatic language of the 21st century diplomat is- Does the world speak and understand your country’s cultural diplomacy?  In addition, how does your country use cultural diplomacy as a national brand tool?

Examples of Countries that appreciate Food in the conversation of Diplomacy:  South Korea "Global Hansik"or Kimchi Diplomacy, Malaysia Kitchen, Global Thai (Thailand), Peru Mucho Gusto (Peru), Have you checked out the Nordic Movement in Food? Nordic Food Diplomacy (Norway/Sweden/Denmark)

Peru

Nordic Gastronomy -New Nordic Kitchen New Nordic Cuisine

CASSAVA DIPLOMACY: GASTRODIPLOMACY

The identity of Africa is often painted with negative representation through the many forms of media. This negative representation is portrayed in western spaces and spaces in the east such as South Korea, China and Japan.  Africa is always portrayed as primitive, chaos and one disaster waiting to happen form the last previous disaster still happening. These images and narratives make it extremely difficult to picture a vibrant food culture of Africa. It makes it close to impossible to believe that food from Africa is tasty, delicious or appealing. Africa is home to tropical cuisine with a diversity in vegetables, fruits and spices like no other continent. It is home to rich succulent tomato based dishes, spicy stews, fluffy grains, sweet savory fried plantains, steamed sweet savory fresh corn tamales(Koki Corn), grilled beefs and chicken dishes with spices that dance in your mouth and so much more. Food is just one of many branding tools in Cassava Diplomacy available for African countries.

 

Roasted Plantains

May this picture allow you to taste sweet savory tomatoes on the roof of your mouth, spices dance on your tongue, succulent pieces of chicken and meat that hold on to the egusi swimming in peanut oil. 
Egusi are grounded melon seeds :) 

ESE & SEGYE will launch a Cameroonian-fusion restaurant, Keeka & Lisu in Seoul, South Korea with the goal of using food to promote dialogue and promote overall Bantu culture. We are still in the very early stages of planning.

Until next time,