JDM: The environment that exists currently makes it impossible for the kind of ruthless human rights abuses that happened in the past to happen again. When you have a situation where people can speak up, where you have a free and independent media, then often even if there is some violation of human rights, people will speak up. Cultures do take a while to change. And so in that sense resistance is advocacy, public education and awareness creation. That's what you need to change people's worldviews about certain things.

TR: In your book, you touch on how passionate you are about class struggle, and you've long been touted as a champion of the underdog. How does Ghana's expanding relationship with China aid you in that cause?

JDM: Ghana has received phenomenal assistance from China. Currently, we are processing a loan of $3 billion for strategic investments in key sectors of the economy. For instance, we are expanding the ports in order to accommodate the traffic that is a result of the new oil and gas industry that is growing in the Western region. We are financing the construction of a power plant for power generation. We are building marine-landing sites all along the coast to improve conditions for fishermen.

All of this was made possible by Chinese investment. The money is being invested strategically in the way that not only accelerates the growth of the economy, but also creates jobs to accommodate the teeming of our young people that are just coming out of school at different levels of the educational chain. So especially in terms of creating jobs for people, especially for the youth, it's a good thing.

TR: What would you say to African Americans who might be concerned about Chinese investment in Africa?

JDM: [I would say Chinese investment] is necessary. Because of the global financial crisis, our traditional partners have been worse. Naturally, we have a relationship with Europe because of our colonial relationship. But because of the financial crisis in the developed countries, the kind of assistance that African countries need to accelerate their economies, they are finding it difficult to get it from the West. If anything at all, you'll get it in dribs and drabs, and that is not sufficient enough for the kind of investment we need.

And we're turning not only toward China, but to all the emerging economies. Brazil is one. India is one. Even Russia is one. It's a matter of necessity. I mean, we need $3 billion for infrastructure development and we just can't get it from the West. So you turn to where you can get it.

The important thing is proper negotiation with whoever is investing, whether it's China or America. And certainly I don't look at the color or nationality of who gives us assistance. The issue is that we need that investment and you must negotiate that investment properly. So that's what we've done. As long as you're using the assistance productively, then you can use that revenue to pay back the loan over a period.

TR: If the 1960s to the 1980s are the "lost decades," then what would you call this period?

JDM: The "found decades." Ha. Africans are more conscious now. They are willing to speak up. There is a strong civil society. So if you juxtapose these two periods, then we have definitely found our way.

Akoto Ofori-Atta is The Root's assistant editor and is Ghanaian American. Follow her on Twitter.

Mahama has contributed several pieces to The Root over the course of his vice presidency, including an exclusive excerpt from his recent memoir, My First Coup d'Etat: And Other True Stories From the Lost Decades of Africa. Here's a list of some of his op-eds:
Your Take: The Bridge Between Ghana and Black America
What Would Fela Think of Today's Africa?
Your Take: Seeing Africa With Different Eyes
Your Take: The Bridge Between Ghana and Black America

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