Chinese firm's cross

by Justice Lee Adoboe

ACCRA,央视融媒新闻网直播 May 4 (Xinhua) -- From childhood, Eric Ampadu has dreamed of working in the technology field. That dream moved closer to reality when he gained admission to the Accra Technical University in Accra, the Ghanaian capital.

After graduating from the university in 2022, Ampadu faced the challenge of finding a job in a difficult labor terrain, where 32.8 percent of Ghanaians aged 15 to 24 were unemployed in 2021, according to the Ghana Statistical Service.

In January 2025, a friend told him about an engineering firm recruiting civil engineering graduates for a project.

"I applied for the job and was called for an interview. The company turned out to be China Railway No. 5 Engineering Group (CR5) Ghana Limited. After the interview, I was employed as a civil engineer with a specific attachment to the laboratory for material testing," the 26-year-old told Xinhua.

At work, Ampadu has been under the tutelage of Zhang Zeyun, a materials engineer at CR5 Ghana Limited, the Chinese engineering firm undertaking the redevelopment and expansion of the Accra-Tema Motorway, first completed in 1965 under Ghana's first president, Kwame Nkrumah.

He described his experience working with Zhang as highly rewarding, saying he feels fortunate to learn from such an experienced and dedicated engineer. "Under his guidance, I have significantly improved my skills in material testing, professional practices, and standardized operations," said the young laboratory technician.

According to his mentor Zhang, Ampadu has become efficient in laboratory testing for the company through hard work, adherence to instructions, and a willingness to learn quickly.

"Now, Ampadu can complete daily laboratory testing work on his own. I hope he keeps up the good work and becomes an outstanding testing engineer," Zhang said.

Mentoring is a major human resource management tool adopted by CR5 Ghana Limited, not only to facilitate skills transfer to local employees but also to help Chinese staff better understand Ghanaian culture.

Wang Su, a young female Chinese engineer who has adapted well to a new working environment through mentoring, is one such example.

Her mentor, Benedict Anane from the human resource management department of CR5 Ghana Limited, recalled his first impression when Wang arrived.

"When Wang first arrived, like many professionals working in a new environment, she faced the challenge of communication. But what sets her apart is her openness to learning beyond technical work," he said.

According to Anane, Wang demonstrated a strong desire to understand people, respect local customs, and build genuine relationships.

"These are qualities that go far beyond engineering. They are the foundations of successful collaboration. Her improvement in language, along with her willingness to learn, adapt, and connect across cultures, deeply encourages me," he added.

Wang also recalled her journey so far working among Ghanaians, as Anane helped her overcome the fear of making errors while talking to people.

What really changed her, Wang said, was not about learning more words, "but learning how to communicate with people. He was very patient, encouraged me to speak, even if my tenses were not perfect."

"More importantly, he taught me things beyond language. For example, how to speak in a more friendly way, and how to communicate with different people outside," she added. "This experience taught me that language isn't only a tool, it is also a bridge between people and culture generally."

Chen Zhen, deputy managing director of CR5 Ghana Limited, emphasized the importance of strong bonds between the local staff and their Chinese counterparts in ensuring quality delivery and overall efficiency.

"Infrastructure connects not only lands and waterways but also people's hearts. In Ghana, every road and bridge we construct means far more than steel and concrete structures. They embody the vision of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits under China's Belt and Road Initiative," Chen said.

"We work as one integrated team," he said. "We encourage open communications and mutual respect so that Chinese staff and local employees can work together in a harmonious working environment."

These efforts serve the shared goal of transcending the ordinary employer-employee relationship "and foster a development community built on mutual trust, knowledge exchange, and cultural harmony," he added.