A new data released by the International Comparison Programme (ICP) in Washington on Tuesday by the World Bank has shown that 1.4billion people in developing countries live on less than a US$1.25 a day, an almost 400million increase over the previous record of 985million recorded in 2004.
Sub-Saharan Africa according to the report is the least successful region in reducing poverty among developing countries, maintaining its 50% feat recorded in 1981.
Africa has since 1981 doubled in terms of population and the depth of poverty continues to rise. The report therefore warned that efforts must be redoubled in the region (Africa) to save it from further decline.
The new report surpassed an earlier estimate of 985 million people living below the former international US$1 a day poverty line in 2004 which was based on then best available cost of living data from 1993.
From the report, one in four in the developing countries was living below US$1.25 a day in 2005, down from one in two in 1981. The new poverty line of US$1.25 a day for 2005 is the average national poverty line for the poorest 10-20 countries.
“The new estimates are a major advance in poverty measurement because they are based on far better price data for assuring that the poverty lines are comparable across countries”, noted Martin Ravallion, Director of the Development Research Group at the World Bank.
The report dubbed “The developing world is poorer than we thought but no less successful in the fight against poverty” indicated that the future looks bright in curbing the canker even though there were more poor people around the world than previously thought.
“The new data confirm that the world will likely reach the first Millennium Development Goal of halving the 1990 level of poverty by 2015 and that poverty has fallen by about 1percentage point a year since 1981. However, the sobering news that poverty is more pervasive than we thought means we must redouble our efforts, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa”, said Justin Lin, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President, Development Economics at the World Bank.
The new data showed that marked differences in progress against poverty persist. East Asia’s poverty line dropped from nearly 80 percent of the population living below US$1.25 a day in 1981 to 18% in 2005.
The report is the first major effort to update poverty data based on 2005 measures of purchasing power parity. Estimates were also based on data from 675 household surveys across 116 developing countries. Over 1.2 million randomly sampled households were interviewed for the 2005 estimate, representing 96% of the developing world.
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Thursday, August 28, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Let's change our work attitude-Veep urges Ghanaian workers
The vice President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Alhaji Aliu Mahama over the weekend urged Ghanaian workers to refrain from their lackadaisical attitude towards work in order to uplift the country’s economy to greater heights. According to him, people’s bad attitude towards work in both government and private institutions was thwarting government’s efforts to ensure economic growth.
“For us to perform economically well as a nation, we must change our attitude towards work, a few maligners, pilfering and the mismanagement and misapplication of scarce resources will undermine productivity at the work place”, noted the vice President in a speech delivered on his behalf by Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, at the 19th National Marketing Performance Awards in Accra. It was under the theme- “Improving the work ethos of the Ghanaian, the role of strategic marketing”.
Alhaji Aliu Mahama therefore tasked the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIMG) to conduct an assessment of capabilities of the Ghanaian worker in order to determine the type of training, technical assistance and material support that will be required to transform the Ghanaian worker to make him/her competitive, both locally and internationally.
He said greater change requires the CIMG and other professional institutions and private organizations to put in place measures that will equip the Ghanaian workforce to cope with the task of national development.
“Just as we are determined to grow the economy to get to a middle income status, simultaneously, there is the need to grow the manpower base of the economy so as to be able to rise to the challenges of the new Ghana that we are all building. Without a trained, disciplined and dedicated workforce, Ghana cannot move forward”, he said.
He averred that his government shall continue to put in place policies and programmes that will develop the human resource base of the country in order to make it competitive to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
He then appealed to Ghanaian workers to begin evaluating their roles as agents of change for accelerated growth. The National President of CIMG, Mrs. Josephine Okutu, also tasked Ghanaian workers to refrain from the mindset of “don’t fix it if it is not broken” but rather inculcate in themselves the spirit of perseverance and drive, for continuous improvements and good maintenance culture.
“To achieve a middle income status by 2015 as envisaged, we need a dedicated workforce with the spirit of enquiry and challenge to develop innovative products and the spirit of perseverance and good maintenance culture. We also need a motivated workforce that celebrates success with teams and does not promote pull him down tendencies in its ranks”, she noted.
The Omanhene of Kukuom Traditional Area, Osahene Atta Takyi, who was the Chairman of the occasion, also added his voice to the call of attitudinal change among Ghanaian workers and tasked them to give their best, wherever they find themselves working to improve the fortunes of the country’s economy.
“For us to perform economically well as a nation, we must change our attitude towards work, a few maligners, pilfering and the mismanagement and misapplication of scarce resources will undermine productivity at the work place”, noted the vice President in a speech delivered on his behalf by Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, at the 19th National Marketing Performance Awards in Accra. It was under the theme- “Improving the work ethos of the Ghanaian, the role of strategic marketing”.
Alhaji Aliu Mahama therefore tasked the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIMG) to conduct an assessment of capabilities of the Ghanaian worker in order to determine the type of training, technical assistance and material support that will be required to transform the Ghanaian worker to make him/her competitive, both locally and internationally.
He said greater change requires the CIMG and other professional institutions and private organizations to put in place measures that will equip the Ghanaian workforce to cope with the task of national development.
“Just as we are determined to grow the economy to get to a middle income status, simultaneously, there is the need to grow the manpower base of the economy so as to be able to rise to the challenges of the new Ghana that we are all building. Without a trained, disciplined and dedicated workforce, Ghana cannot move forward”, he said.
He averred that his government shall continue to put in place policies and programmes that will develop the human resource base of the country in order to make it competitive to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
He then appealed to Ghanaian workers to begin evaluating their roles as agents of change for accelerated growth. The National President of CIMG, Mrs. Josephine Okutu, also tasked Ghanaian workers to refrain from the mindset of “don’t fix it if it is not broken” but rather inculcate in themselves the spirit of perseverance and drive, for continuous improvements and good maintenance culture.
“To achieve a middle income status by 2015 as envisaged, we need a dedicated workforce with the spirit of enquiry and challenge to develop innovative products and the spirit of perseverance and good maintenance culture. We also need a motivated workforce that celebrates success with teams and does not promote pull him down tendencies in its ranks”, she noted.
The Omanhene of Kukuom Traditional Area, Osahene Atta Takyi, who was the Chairman of the occasion, also added his voice to the call of attitudinal change among Ghanaian workers and tasked them to give their best, wherever they find themselves working to improve the fortunes of the country’s economy.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Gov't increases cocoa scholarship fund to GH¢2bn
THE Government of Ghana, on Thursday, announced an increase of the Cocoa Scholarship Fund which allows the wards of Cocoa farmers to enjoy free tuition at Second cycle and Tertiary levels from GH¢1.5 billion to GH¢2 billion, beginning next year.
This initiative by the government of Ghana and the COCOBOD is aimed at sustaining the scheme (Cocoa Scholarship Fund), as well as to enable more children of Cocoa farmers to attain greater heights in their educational pursuit.
President John Agyekum Kufuor disclosed this when he officially commissioned the refurbished COCOBOD building in Accra. Addressing the gathering, President Kufuor said his government would continue to pursue measures aimed at eliminating the worst forms of child labour in the Cocoa growing areas of the country where the menace exists.
“COCOBOD will intensify collaboration with stakeholders with the active participation of COCOD field staff in the training and sensitization programmes on child labour. COCOBOD will support Government’s Poverty Reduction Programme, coupled with the Capitation Grant as a means to eliminate child labour”, he noted.
President Kufuor, however, urged Cocoa farmers to continue working hard to lift up the economy in order to attain a middle income status, since cocoa constitutes a greater part of foreign exchange earning to the country.
This initiative by the government of Ghana and the COCOBOD is aimed at sustaining the scheme (Cocoa Scholarship Fund), as well as to enable more children of Cocoa farmers to attain greater heights in their educational pursuit.
President John Agyekum Kufuor disclosed this when he officially commissioned the refurbished COCOBOD building in Accra. Addressing the gathering, President Kufuor said his government would continue to pursue measures aimed at eliminating the worst forms of child labour in the Cocoa growing areas of the country where the menace exists.
“COCOBOD will intensify collaboration with stakeholders with the active participation of COCOD field staff in the training and sensitization programmes on child labour. COCOBOD will support Government’s Poverty Reduction Programme, coupled with the Capitation Grant as a means to eliminate child labour”, he noted.
President Kufuor, however, urged Cocoa farmers to continue working hard to lift up the economy in order to attain a middle income status, since cocoa constitutes a greater part of foreign exchange earning to the country.
Ghana to process 40% of cocoa locally
Ghana is targeting to process 40% of its annual cocoa production locally, in the medium term, to help boost the country’s economy which has been described as a frontier emerging market. To this effect, the government, in collaboration with the COCOBOD has embarked on a number of policies in a bid to attract investors to aid in pursuing this dream.
Among the policies include; granting of the requisite permission for importing essential plant, machinery, equipment and accessories required for the enterprise and exemption from payment of customs import duties on plant, machinery, equipment and accessories imported specifically and exclusively for the processing of cocoa in the country.
President John Agyekum Kufuour made this known in Accra when he officially commissioned the refurbished COCOBOD building. He said it was the priority of his government to ensure that cocoa production in the country is improved to 1,000,000 metric tonnes as championed by the COCOBOD to realize this dream by the year 2010.
With regards to this, President Kufour said his government was leaving no stone unturned to embark on Cocoa Sector reforms, geared towards increasing efficiency in the cocoa industry, and in particular COCOBOD and its subsidiaries, increasing and sustaining production, enhancing the incomes of farmers and maintaining the quality of the country’s cocoa beans. Cocoa production over the past years has seen significant increases from 389,772 metric tonnes in 2000/01 to a record level of 740,458 metric tonnes in 2005/06.
According to the President, his government, in 2001, embarked on a Cocoa Disease and Pest Control programme dubbed- “Mass Spraying”, to revive the cocoa industry by mass spraying of cocoa farms in the country to ensure high yields, and also highly improved cocoa beans, which to him has paid off by enabling government to pay double bonuses to farmers this year.
“Government’s policy to pay an increasing share of the F.O.B price to the farmer and ensure that cocoa farmers receive reasonable incomes to cover their cost of production and make some profits, has been consistently pursued and successfully carried out. It is worthy to note that for the first time COCOBOD has paid farmers bonuses twice this year, for the 2006/07 crop year amounting to GH¢32,000,000.00", he noted.
President Kufuor averred that his government in its bid to replenish soil fertility and to improve on the productivity of the cocoa tree, initiated the Cocoa Hi-Tech programme through the COCOBOD in 2003, which involved the application of fertilizers, improved planting materials and the application of insecticides and fungicides, on cocoa farms to help increase the productivity of most cocoa farms in the country.
Among the policies include; granting of the requisite permission for importing essential plant, machinery, equipment and accessories required for the enterprise and exemption from payment of customs import duties on plant, machinery, equipment and accessories imported specifically and exclusively for the processing of cocoa in the country.
President John Agyekum Kufuour made this known in Accra when he officially commissioned the refurbished COCOBOD building. He said it was the priority of his government to ensure that cocoa production in the country is improved to 1,000,000 metric tonnes as championed by the COCOBOD to realize this dream by the year 2010.
With regards to this, President Kufour said his government was leaving no stone unturned to embark on Cocoa Sector reforms, geared towards increasing efficiency in the cocoa industry, and in particular COCOBOD and its subsidiaries, increasing and sustaining production, enhancing the incomes of farmers and maintaining the quality of the country’s cocoa beans. Cocoa production over the past years has seen significant increases from 389,772 metric tonnes in 2000/01 to a record level of 740,458 metric tonnes in 2005/06.
According to the President, his government, in 2001, embarked on a Cocoa Disease and Pest Control programme dubbed- “Mass Spraying”, to revive the cocoa industry by mass spraying of cocoa farms in the country to ensure high yields, and also highly improved cocoa beans, which to him has paid off by enabling government to pay double bonuses to farmers this year.
“Government’s policy to pay an increasing share of the F.O.B price to the farmer and ensure that cocoa farmers receive reasonable incomes to cover their cost of production and make some profits, has been consistently pursued and successfully carried out. It is worthy to note that for the first time COCOBOD has paid farmers bonuses twice this year, for the 2006/07 crop year amounting to GH¢32,000,000.00", he noted.
President Kufuor averred that his government in its bid to replenish soil fertility and to improve on the productivity of the cocoa tree, initiated the Cocoa Hi-Tech programme through the COCOBOD in 2003, which involved the application of fertilizers, improved planting materials and the application of insecticides and fungicides, on cocoa farms to help increase the productivity of most cocoa farms in the country.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Ghana prepares for oil exploitation
Ghana has taken a bold initiative towards a systematic establishment of economic, technical and legal framework to manage its oil extraction, whilst maximizing its benefits to improve living standards. To this effect, the government has assigned a team of experts in the oil industry to develop a master plan for the petroleum sector.
The team of experts has been subdivided into six working groups and each is supposed to produce a policy document which would become part of the master plan to guide the development and management of Ghana's emerging oil industry and how it interfaces with the rest of the economy.
This was made known at a workshop dubbed "Consultative meeting on the Oil and Gas fiscal regime and fund types" in Accra, on Tuesday by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MOFEP).
The workshop is aimed at providing space for in-depth discussions on the specific issues of taxation and all the fiscal arrangements most suitable for the country if it intends to achieve the desired growth of a middle income status in the shortest possible time.
Among the six working group includes- the legal regime, fiscal regime and fund types, health, safety, environment and community issues, security, local content and capacity building and downstream, natural gas utilization and infrastructure development.
Addressing the gathering (mainly made up of stakeholders in the oil industry) at the workshop, a Chief Director at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Nana Juaben-Boaten Siriboe noted that the discovery of oil in the country puts the economy on a good stand towards realizing a middle income status and is leaving no stone unturned to learn from oil producing countries who have benefited from the smooth management of their upstream resource activities.
According to him, the experiences of some resource-rich Developing Countries in managing their oil has not been encouraging as it has in one way or the other destabilised the economies of those countries.
"The experiences of some resource-rich developing countries suggest one thing. Growth and prosperity from oil discovery are not inevitable. The irony in some cases is that the oil effect has been destabilising, leading to low growth, widespread inequalities and conflict, the so-called resource curse. According to one expert, the curse stands ready to capture new and unsuspecting economies that have weak institutions and poor standards of governance", he noted.
"The good news is that there are other countries that have grown and developed from their natural resources. Botswana with diamonds and Norway and Malaysia with oil are good examples", he added.
Nana Siriboe averred that the eventual benefits the country can receive from its oil and gas resources depend, in part, on the fiscal regime that the country has in place.
"In fact, many experts believe that the fiscal regime is what separates those economies where petroleum has made a difference to the overall living standards of citizens from where it has not", he said.
The country, since February 2008 has had the benefit of many experts on several aspects of the petroleum industry through a number of workshops. Nana Siriboe contended that the biggest challenge facing the country is how to transform the experiences gained to good use.
"Our challenge is rather how to take these lessons and experiences and use them to develop the rules and guidelines that will yield the maximum direct and indirect benefits for all Ghanaians and to make progress towards a good and prosperous society", he noted.
The team of experts has been subdivided into six working groups and each is supposed to produce a policy document which would become part of the master plan to guide the development and management of Ghana's emerging oil industry and how it interfaces with the rest of the economy.
This was made known at a workshop dubbed "Consultative meeting on the Oil and Gas fiscal regime and fund types" in Accra, on Tuesday by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MOFEP).
The workshop is aimed at providing space for in-depth discussions on the specific issues of taxation and all the fiscal arrangements most suitable for the country if it intends to achieve the desired growth of a middle income status in the shortest possible time.
Among the six working group includes- the legal regime, fiscal regime and fund types, health, safety, environment and community issues, security, local content and capacity building and downstream, natural gas utilization and infrastructure development.
Addressing the gathering (mainly made up of stakeholders in the oil industry) at the workshop, a Chief Director at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Nana Juaben-Boaten Siriboe noted that the discovery of oil in the country puts the economy on a good stand towards realizing a middle income status and is leaving no stone unturned to learn from oil producing countries who have benefited from the smooth management of their upstream resource activities.
According to him, the experiences of some resource-rich Developing Countries in managing their oil has not been encouraging as it has in one way or the other destabilised the economies of those countries.
"The experiences of some resource-rich developing countries suggest one thing. Growth and prosperity from oil discovery are not inevitable. The irony in some cases is that the oil effect has been destabilising, leading to low growth, widespread inequalities and conflict, the so-called resource curse. According to one expert, the curse stands ready to capture new and unsuspecting economies that have weak institutions and poor standards of governance", he noted.
"The good news is that there are other countries that have grown and developed from their natural resources. Botswana with diamonds and Norway and Malaysia with oil are good examples", he added.
Nana Siriboe averred that the eventual benefits the country can receive from its oil and gas resources depend, in part, on the fiscal regime that the country has in place.
"In fact, many experts believe that the fiscal regime is what separates those economies where petroleum has made a difference to the overall living standards of citizens from where it has not", he said.
The country, since February 2008 has had the benefit of many experts on several aspects of the petroleum industry through a number of workshops. Nana Siriboe contended that the biggest challenge facing the country is how to transform the experiences gained to good use.
"Our challenge is rather how to take these lessons and experiences and use them to develop the rules and guidelines that will yield the maximum direct and indirect benefits for all Ghanaians and to make progress towards a good and prosperous society", he noted.
Ghana, a frontier emerging market
Ghana’s macro-economic recovery reform programme has paid off, making it a vibrant capital market, with its potentials attracting lots of foreign direct investments, over the past five years.
With political stability in the country, coupled with the serene business atmosphere in which businesses operate, has placed the country among a league of eight Sub-Saharan African countries, outside South Africa, heading towards emerging market status, a quarterly magazine of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), called Finance and Development, has revealed.
The IMF has thus described the country, as a ‘frontier emerging market’, meaning that the Ghanaian economy would attain the status of emerging market, as soon as it matures.
The seven other countries, which fall into this category (frontier emerging markets), include Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Nigeria.
Emerging market refers to developing countries with stock markets, which are beginning to demonstrate the features of the mature stock markets in industrialised countries.
Nigeria, according to the magazine, was the largest country in this group.
These countries qualified to the position of a frontier emerging market, because of the massive growth their economies are enjoying, which was led by the private sector growth.
“Emerging markets are attractive to investors, because they offer rates of return that are high, relative to mature markets, and offer opportunities for investors to diversify risk. High GDP signals that there are opportunities for investors to buy into the country’s overall prospects, or seek out opportunities, by identifying undervaluation in specific sectors. Together these countries account for about 40 per cent of the region’s population outside South Africa, and almost one-half of its GDP,” noted the report.
According to the IMF, the countries that have fallen under frontier emerging markets, have installed sound economic institutions to avoid the boom-bust cycle of the past.
“Take the case of Nigeria, since the current oil boom started in 2004, its economic performance has been far better, than in previous booms in 1974-78, 1979-83 and 1990-94, measuring non-oil growth or inflation. During 2005-06, it received Paris Club debt relief, and bought back much of the remainder of its external debt. Since then, trade in Nigeria debt has been mainly in domestic issues. Nigeria debt trading is ranked 21st globally at the end of 2007,” noted the IMF.
Emerging markets, according to the IMF, offers institutional investors the prospect of good returns, and a means to diversify risk, through investments in financial markets.
Ghana, as part of its reform to put the country on a sound economic track, in September last year listed a US$750 million Euro bond on the London Stock Exchange, which was four times over subscribed, exceeding an amount of US$3.2 billion.
The IMF, in one of its reports issued in Washington, said the bond sales was one of the benchmarks of growing interest of investors in Africa, and in emerging and developing countries worldwide.
The IMF, however, advised African central banks to give adequately to financial sector stability, against a tradition in the region that had long focused on financial sector development.
“The banking system is the main conduit through which foreign inflows are intermediated, and so bank capital and risk management practices, must be monitored carefully,” noted the IMF.
With political stability in the country, coupled with the serene business atmosphere in which businesses operate, has placed the country among a league of eight Sub-Saharan African countries, outside South Africa, heading towards emerging market status, a quarterly magazine of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), called Finance and Development, has revealed.
The IMF has thus described the country, as a ‘frontier emerging market’, meaning that the Ghanaian economy would attain the status of emerging market, as soon as it matures.
The seven other countries, which fall into this category (frontier emerging markets), include Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Nigeria.
Emerging market refers to developing countries with stock markets, which are beginning to demonstrate the features of the mature stock markets in industrialised countries.
Nigeria, according to the magazine, was the largest country in this group.
These countries qualified to the position of a frontier emerging market, because of the massive growth their economies are enjoying, which was led by the private sector growth.
“Emerging markets are attractive to investors, because they offer rates of return that are high, relative to mature markets, and offer opportunities for investors to diversify risk. High GDP signals that there are opportunities for investors to buy into the country’s overall prospects, or seek out opportunities, by identifying undervaluation in specific sectors. Together these countries account for about 40 per cent of the region’s population outside South Africa, and almost one-half of its GDP,” noted the report.
According to the IMF, the countries that have fallen under frontier emerging markets, have installed sound economic institutions to avoid the boom-bust cycle of the past.
“Take the case of Nigeria, since the current oil boom started in 2004, its economic performance has been far better, than in previous booms in 1974-78, 1979-83 and 1990-94, measuring non-oil growth or inflation. During 2005-06, it received Paris Club debt relief, and bought back much of the remainder of its external debt. Since then, trade in Nigeria debt has been mainly in domestic issues. Nigeria debt trading is ranked 21st globally at the end of 2007,” noted the IMF.
Emerging markets, according to the IMF, offers institutional investors the prospect of good returns, and a means to diversify risk, through investments in financial markets.
Ghana, as part of its reform to put the country on a sound economic track, in September last year listed a US$750 million Euro bond on the London Stock Exchange, which was four times over subscribed, exceeding an amount of US$3.2 billion.
The IMF, in one of its reports issued in Washington, said the bond sales was one of the benchmarks of growing interest of investors in Africa, and in emerging and developing countries worldwide.
The IMF, however, advised African central banks to give adequately to financial sector stability, against a tradition in the region that had long focused on financial sector development.
“The banking system is the main conduit through which foreign inflows are intermediated, and so bank capital and risk management practices, must be monitored carefully,” noted the IMF.
Economy to create 4,900 jobs
The job market of the Ghanaian economy would start witnessing 4,900 new vacancies as Foreign Direct Investments continue to announce their presence in the country.
With the economy's improved performance on the global market, Ghana has become a safe haven for investors who have over the last six months been battling to register their businesses with the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), to start operations in the country.
Out of the 53 new investment concerns registered during the second quarter of the GIPC under review, it is expected that 4,900 new jobs would be created, with majority of these (4,670 representing 95.3%) going in favour of Ghanaians and the remaining 230 (4.7%) to expatriates. The total estimated value of these 53 new investments is GH¢57.03 million, a decrease from GH¢77.37 million, recorded for the same period in 2007.
Of the 53 new investments registered during the quarter, 38 representing 71.70% were wholly owned foreign enterprises, with the remaining 15 projects (28.30%) being joint venture projects between Ghanaians and their foreign partners.
The joint venture projects were valued at GH¢13.5 million whilst the 100% foreign owned enterprises were valued at GH¢42.17 million.
This feat, according to the Chief Executive Officer of GIPC, Robert Ahomka-Lindsey in a media interaction in Accra, brings the total number of jobs created in the first half year of 2008 to 14,607.
With the registration of these 53 new investments, the Centre thus recorded a total cash investment of GH¢923.79 million (US$942.6million), being the total new cash investment for the second quarter of 2008.
This figure, according to the CEO, comprises GH¢916.06 million worth of investments (capital goods imported) and GH¢7.73 million equity transfers for the projects registered during the quarter as compared to GH¢351.54 million recorded in the same period in 2007, of which GH¢11.89 million constituted equity transfers and GH¢339.4 million worth of reinvestments (capital goods imported) with 95 projects registered.
Among the 53 new investments, China and India continue to top the list of countries who registered their businesses in the country. According to Mr. Ahomka-Lindsey, the United Kingdom registered the least projects but was of the highest value with GH¢33.45 million during the period under review.
Out of the new projects recorded, Manufacturing, Services and general trading continue to be the highest in terms of sectoral composition.
Agriculture recorded a slight improvement over the previous quarter with 9 projects being registered at an estimated value of GH¢9.88 million. Liaison Offices recorded the least projects, registering 3 projects out of the 53 with an estimated value of GH¢0.07 million.
Major projects attracted during the second quarter include DOS Oil Production- Ghana Limited, a processing factory in the field of palm fruits and palm kernel, with an estimated project value of GH¢27.44 million. Colwick Ghana Limited, a real estate development and Prairie Volta West Africa Fish Limited, notably known in fish farming and processing, announced their presence in the country with an estimated project value of GH¢2.69 million and GH¢2.04 million respectively.
According to MR. Ahomka-Lindsey, his outfit is expecting more activities in the telecom industry with the presence of Zain and Vodafone in the country. He said his outfit has outlined a 3 year building institutional capacity and would pursue it vigorously towards achieving a better investment economy for the country.
With the economy's improved performance on the global market, Ghana has become a safe haven for investors who have over the last six months been battling to register their businesses with the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), to start operations in the country.
Out of the 53 new investment concerns registered during the second quarter of the GIPC under review, it is expected that 4,900 new jobs would be created, with majority of these (4,670 representing 95.3%) going in favour of Ghanaians and the remaining 230 (4.7%) to expatriates. The total estimated value of these 53 new investments is GH¢57.03 million, a decrease from GH¢77.37 million, recorded for the same period in 2007.
Of the 53 new investments registered during the quarter, 38 representing 71.70% were wholly owned foreign enterprises, with the remaining 15 projects (28.30%) being joint venture projects between Ghanaians and their foreign partners.
The joint venture projects were valued at GH¢13.5 million whilst the 100% foreign owned enterprises were valued at GH¢42.17 million.
This feat, according to the Chief Executive Officer of GIPC, Robert Ahomka-Lindsey in a media interaction in Accra, brings the total number of jobs created in the first half year of 2008 to 14,607.
With the registration of these 53 new investments, the Centre thus recorded a total cash investment of GH¢923.79 million (US$942.6million), being the total new cash investment for the second quarter of 2008.
This figure, according to the CEO, comprises GH¢916.06 million worth of investments (capital goods imported) and GH¢7.73 million equity transfers for the projects registered during the quarter as compared to GH¢351.54 million recorded in the same period in 2007, of which GH¢11.89 million constituted equity transfers and GH¢339.4 million worth of reinvestments (capital goods imported) with 95 projects registered.
Among the 53 new investments, China and India continue to top the list of countries who registered their businesses in the country. According to Mr. Ahomka-Lindsey, the United Kingdom registered the least projects but was of the highest value with GH¢33.45 million during the period under review.
Out of the new projects recorded, Manufacturing, Services and general trading continue to be the highest in terms of sectoral composition.
Agriculture recorded a slight improvement over the previous quarter with 9 projects being registered at an estimated value of GH¢9.88 million. Liaison Offices recorded the least projects, registering 3 projects out of the 53 with an estimated value of GH¢0.07 million.
Major projects attracted during the second quarter include DOS Oil Production- Ghana Limited, a processing factory in the field of palm fruits and palm kernel, with an estimated project value of GH¢27.44 million. Colwick Ghana Limited, a real estate development and Prairie Volta West Africa Fish Limited, notably known in fish farming and processing, announced their presence in the country with an estimated project value of GH¢2.69 million and GH¢2.04 million respectively.
According to MR. Ahomka-Lindsey, his outfit is expecting more activities in the telecom industry with the presence of Zain and Vodafone in the country. He said his outfit has outlined a 3 year building institutional capacity and would pursue it vigorously towards achieving a better investment economy for the country.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Decision day for Nana Addo
IT`S JAWULA BAWUMIA IN FINAL‘Who can stand in for the President if he suddenly becomes incapacitated?’ Hajia Alima, Boy scout Boniface or Bawumiah?
Who can stand in for the President if he suddenly becomes incapacitated?’ Hajia Alima, Boy scout Boniface or Bawumiah? AS THE Flag bearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo takes the significant decision today as to who partners him in the upcoming general elections, the political desk of The Chronicle can report that, Alhaji M.N.D Jawula, immediate past Chief Director of Ministry of Health, seems to be the obvious choice.
The 59 year old Civil servant, who voluntarily retired from active service recently, to escape the commotion that his candidature had generated, particularly from ‘The Daily Graphic (which appears to suffer from Castle control), after giving up another major chieftaincy position– the Lepowura of Gonja land, to establish his readiness for the task ahead.
In a surprise endorsement of the Lepowura, three heavyweight endorsements came flying in from a number of people. Hon. P.C. Appiah Ofori, Hon. J.B. Danquah Adu, Nana Kofi Coomson and Haruna Atta, of the Accra Daily Mail. Several prospects have made the traditional rounds in the circuit of contenders for the position, each fielding an interesting assortment of pressmen to engineer all manner of headlines to catch the eye of Nana Addo..
In reality, they do not even puncture the inner perimeter of the Presidential candidate. The names are coming in thick and fast with some early birds like Sheikh IC Quaye, who was with the President in the first parliament of the first Republic. The Sheikh is the first conqueror of Mr. Kwesi Pratt in 1996, when the youthful Pratt engaged him for the Ayawaso Central seat and felt the power of Quaye’s magical appeal, with the voters from Nkansan Djan area through to Tip Toe lane.
Even though he is a very sprightly person, the old ‘boy’, well over his 70th birthday, he made the comical strip- ‘Atta Mills eke mini… enya Kenya … Naa Nana, Naa Shoo…’ popular enough to enter the phrase book of politics in Ghana.
Surprisingly, Alhaji Boniface, in spite of his maximum interface with the press, never quiet made it to the ring of minders who have thrown a gauntlet of beefy armour round The Aspirant.
The latest trick from the bookmakers is one pedestrian Alhaji Zacharia, who was plucked from complete anonymity as a tutor at the Tamale Training College, and hoisted by the press to the bewilderment of the man himself.
Hajia Alima finally did herself in, after the fatal blow by the venerated Hon. B.J. da-Rocha, whose treatise leaked to the Daily Mail last Monday, unleashed a simultaneous chorus of disapproval from women’s group in parliament. Not only could a staged marriage to a willing and approving man within the last few days stem the poison of nay Sayers. Her last act of corralling demonstrators to the office of the flag bearer was too late to sway the flag bearer’s early enthusiasm for her candidature.
MAHAMUDU BAWUMIA
Intelligence picked up by this paper indicates that Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, Deputy Governor of Bank of Ghana, was as at yesterday evening going through the paces of being groomed for the office. Never desirous of the position, Bawumia has never relished the position of vice President and was amused when his name came up.
Eyeing the position of Governor of the Central Bank, Bawumia is now very much on the cards as the most likely vice Presidential candidate.
Perhaps, the candidate who has leapfrogged on to the priority candidate is Alhaji Jawula. Mahmoud Bawumia has not been involved in active politics in all his life, except to be appointed as Deputy Governor in charge of Monetary Policy, based on his qualification and a father who was a senior National Democratic Congress member of the Council of Elders.
With his solid economic background, he caught the fancy of the rank and file of the NPP because of his freshness, and his youthfulness.
Alhaji Bawumia, who is reported to have been in confinement since Monday, following credible reports that he is now the compromise candidate to partner Nana Akufo-Addo, is the son of Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia, a CPP stalwart and a former Minister under the regime of the late Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and who later joined the NDC, after Kojo Tsikata enticed him into the fold.
Jawula, a Lepowura, who declared his intention to support Akufo-Addo when given the nod, said he sought permission from his paramount chief to ascend to the throne of vice President after which he would rejoin the traditional leadership. According to him, he would be privileged to partner Akufo-Addo to bring his vast experience in governance to bear, having garnered enough from the public service until he voluntarily retired some few days ago.
To him the nobility of chieftaincy was in his vein and he would help reform the chieftaincy institution after serving as the second most powerful person of the land.
M.N.D. Jawula, who earlier stated that he had no Presidential ambition, said “I am ready to take up the mantle to prepare the ground for the upcoming generations. I have no Presidential ambition,” he told this paper in response to whether he has actually abdicated from the chieftaincy kingdom to engage in active politics.
According to him, there were many leaders of the nation that he took inspiration from.
“Dr. Hilla Limman stepped down to be a President and later became the chief of his homeland, Gwollu. My late uncle, whom I take inspirations from in the UP tradition, set aside his kingship and went to parliament to serve and after that reverted,” he rolled out names who embarked on the same journey.
Touching on what he will bring on board, the vice Presidential hopeful indicated that,” I am bringing my vast experience in public service and other areas that have never being seen before. I am bringing diplomatic service that will gel, for the Moslems and Christians. I am bringing a new concept that will keep the youth active, especially in football and in health.” Alhaji Jawula, a former Ghana Football Association chairman, underscored that he has passion for rural governance and was much pleased with Akufo-Addo’s northern agenda programme, which he wished to play a pivotal role to ensure that the dream of the NPP flag bearer was achieved.
“I am interested in the Northern Development agenda and also interested in local governance throughout the nation. When given the nod, I want to get to the people who would make the economy vibrant, especially the farmers.”
According to him, he will support the vision and the ideals of Akufo-Addo alongside the beliefs of the NPP tradition, adding that he will consult the farmers and fisher-folks to get the northern agenda of the NPP movers, since as he said, he is already a part-time farmer, with a number of tractors.
Jawula, having had over thirty years in civil service, the Gonja/Ga native candidate stands tall among his competitors. With thirty-two years of experience in the civil service, Alhaji Nuru Deen Jawula has carved a niche for himself in the discharge of his duties in the various institutions that he served.
Through his selfless, dedication and above all his commitment to serve his people, his competence in the public service has proven a better track record which has endowed him with rich experience to take Ghana to greater heights if he partners Akuffo-Addo for the presidential race. His visionary qualities have attracted lots of heavy weights within the NPP to endorse his candidature to partner Nana Akuffo-Addo.
His neutrality puts him above his competitors to be able to bridge the gap between the North and South. His long stewardship in the civil service makes him understand the structures, management and the plight of Ghanaian workers. His leadership qualities made him the obvious choice as a chief (Lepowura) in his hometown when the stool became vacant.
As a son of Kpembe Royal clan, Alhaji M.N.D Jawula was born a thorough-bred Zongo person and is a descendant of Jakpa, the Warrior, Known in Zongo folklore.
His political ambition was overshadowed by his long spell in the public service until recently when he mounted the stage of the NPP at Kasoa in a mammoth rally when the party introduced its flag bearer, Nana Akuffo-Addo.
From Gambaga to Wale Wale, through to Yendi and Damongo, where he served as District Executive in the 1970s and 1980s, his selfless dedication to work made him earn promotion upon promotion to serve in the Ministries of Finance and Economic Planning, Railways, Ports and Harbours until his retirement from the Health sector as a Chief Director. His rich experience in the administration of football made the country to chalk successes in events organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
From the boat of Real Tamale United, he jumped onto the Ghana Football Association board in 1994 and became its vice chairman in 1995. Later he became the chairman of the Football Association in 1999 and onto the Standing Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) with its entire network.
Meanwhile, according to some members of the Sweet Apple branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), they have called on the leadership of the party, particularly it's flag bearer, Nana Akuffo-Addo, to choose Alhaji M.N.D. Jawula as the party’s running mate for the December 2008 elections.
According to them, critical analysis of the fortunes of the NPP so far points to the fact that Alhaji Mohammed Nurudeen Jawula, a former Chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) stands tall among the possible vice Presidential materials whose names are currently making the rounds.
Speaking to this paper after a consultative meeting involving members and executives of the Sweet Apple NPP branch over the weekend at their office in Accra New Town, a leading executive member of the branch, Madam Hajia Kande stated that after painstaking research and consultation among the rank and file of it's membership and other members of the NPP at both the national and regional level, it has become obvious that Alhaji Jawula is the right person to partner Nana Akuffo-Addo, to ensure not only a resounding victory for the NPP but to fulfill the party’s promises to Ghanaians.
She said, Alhaji Jawula has proven to all and sundry that "his vision is to work for Ghana" and has accordingly excelled in all administrative positions he occupied, mentioning among them his achievements as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Real Tamale United, the GFA, and Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, among others.
Hajia Kande mentioned that in all positions Alhaji Jawula occupied, he worked to the admiration of all, irrespective of one's political or religious affiliation, stressing that "this is someone who can unite Ghana".
Buttressing her points further, she intimated that Alhaji M.N.D Jawula has worked with people with different political, religious, tribal and educational backgrounds, so could be in the best position to unite what she described as an almost "polarised Ghana".
"At this time of our political dispensation, Ghana needs someone who can unite the entire nation, just as Alhaji has done in unifying people wherever he is chosen to lead.
These and many more qualities have made Alhaji Jawula not only a winnable bet, but a person who has the ability to add more value to our Presidency and help to maintain Ghana as the enviable peaceful nation in the sub-region".
Also speaking with this paper further, Mr. Luqman Musah, Secretary of the Accra New Town based Sweet Apple NPP branch stated that "judging from all available facts, sports is a major unifying factor as exhibited during the Germany 2006 world cup and the just ended MTN CAN 2008 Africa Cup of nations hosted by Ghana. It is obvious Alhaji is best positioned to use sports to unite the nation"
Mr. Luqman Musah therefore urged the NPP leadership to nominate Alhaji Jawula as the running mate of Nana Akuffo Addo.
Who can stand in for the President if he suddenly becomes incapacitated?’ Hajia Alima, Boy scout Boniface or Bawumiah? AS THE Flag bearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo takes the significant decision today as to who partners him in the upcoming general elections, the political desk of The Chronicle can report that, Alhaji M.N.D Jawula, immediate past Chief Director of Ministry of Health, seems to be the obvious choice.
The 59 year old Civil servant, who voluntarily retired from active service recently, to escape the commotion that his candidature had generated, particularly from ‘The Daily Graphic (which appears to suffer from Castle control), after giving up another major chieftaincy position– the Lepowura of Gonja land, to establish his readiness for the task ahead.
In a surprise endorsement of the Lepowura, three heavyweight endorsements came flying in from a number of people. Hon. P.C. Appiah Ofori, Hon. J.B. Danquah Adu, Nana Kofi Coomson and Haruna Atta, of the Accra Daily Mail. Several prospects have made the traditional rounds in the circuit of contenders for the position, each fielding an interesting assortment of pressmen to engineer all manner of headlines to catch the eye of Nana Addo..
In reality, they do not even puncture the inner perimeter of the Presidential candidate. The names are coming in thick and fast with some early birds like Sheikh IC Quaye, who was with the President in the first parliament of the first Republic. The Sheikh is the first conqueror of Mr. Kwesi Pratt in 1996, when the youthful Pratt engaged him for the Ayawaso Central seat and felt the power of Quaye’s magical appeal, with the voters from Nkansan Djan area through to Tip Toe lane.
Even though he is a very sprightly person, the old ‘boy’, well over his 70th birthday, he made the comical strip- ‘Atta Mills eke mini… enya Kenya … Naa Nana, Naa Shoo…’ popular enough to enter the phrase book of politics in Ghana.
Surprisingly, Alhaji Boniface, in spite of his maximum interface with the press, never quiet made it to the ring of minders who have thrown a gauntlet of beefy armour round The Aspirant.
The latest trick from the bookmakers is one pedestrian Alhaji Zacharia, who was plucked from complete anonymity as a tutor at the Tamale Training College, and hoisted by the press to the bewilderment of the man himself.
Hajia Alima finally did herself in, after the fatal blow by the venerated Hon. B.J. da-Rocha, whose treatise leaked to the Daily Mail last Monday, unleashed a simultaneous chorus of disapproval from women’s group in parliament. Not only could a staged marriage to a willing and approving man within the last few days stem the poison of nay Sayers. Her last act of corralling demonstrators to the office of the flag bearer was too late to sway the flag bearer’s early enthusiasm for her candidature.
MAHAMUDU BAWUMIA
Intelligence picked up by this paper indicates that Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, Deputy Governor of Bank of Ghana, was as at yesterday evening going through the paces of being groomed for the office. Never desirous of the position, Bawumia has never relished the position of vice President and was amused when his name came up.
Eyeing the position of Governor of the Central Bank, Bawumia is now very much on the cards as the most likely vice Presidential candidate.
Perhaps, the candidate who has leapfrogged on to the priority candidate is Alhaji Jawula. Mahmoud Bawumia has not been involved in active politics in all his life, except to be appointed as Deputy Governor in charge of Monetary Policy, based on his qualification and a father who was a senior National Democratic Congress member of the Council of Elders.
With his solid economic background, he caught the fancy of the rank and file of the NPP because of his freshness, and his youthfulness.
Alhaji Bawumia, who is reported to have been in confinement since Monday, following credible reports that he is now the compromise candidate to partner Nana Akufo-Addo, is the son of Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia, a CPP stalwart and a former Minister under the regime of the late Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and who later joined the NDC, after Kojo Tsikata enticed him into the fold.
Jawula, a Lepowura, who declared his intention to support Akufo-Addo when given the nod, said he sought permission from his paramount chief to ascend to the throne of vice President after which he would rejoin the traditional leadership. According to him, he would be privileged to partner Akufo-Addo to bring his vast experience in governance to bear, having garnered enough from the public service until he voluntarily retired some few days ago.
To him the nobility of chieftaincy was in his vein and he would help reform the chieftaincy institution after serving as the second most powerful person of the land.
M.N.D. Jawula, who earlier stated that he had no Presidential ambition, said “I am ready to take up the mantle to prepare the ground for the upcoming generations. I have no Presidential ambition,” he told this paper in response to whether he has actually abdicated from the chieftaincy kingdom to engage in active politics.
According to him, there were many leaders of the nation that he took inspiration from.
“Dr. Hilla Limman stepped down to be a President and later became the chief of his homeland, Gwollu. My late uncle, whom I take inspirations from in the UP tradition, set aside his kingship and went to parliament to serve and after that reverted,” he rolled out names who embarked on the same journey.
Touching on what he will bring on board, the vice Presidential hopeful indicated that,” I am bringing my vast experience in public service and other areas that have never being seen before. I am bringing diplomatic service that will gel, for the Moslems and Christians. I am bringing a new concept that will keep the youth active, especially in football and in health.” Alhaji Jawula, a former Ghana Football Association chairman, underscored that he has passion for rural governance and was much pleased with Akufo-Addo’s northern agenda programme, which he wished to play a pivotal role to ensure that the dream of the NPP flag bearer was achieved.
“I am interested in the Northern Development agenda and also interested in local governance throughout the nation. When given the nod, I want to get to the people who would make the economy vibrant, especially the farmers.”
According to him, he will support the vision and the ideals of Akufo-Addo alongside the beliefs of the NPP tradition, adding that he will consult the farmers and fisher-folks to get the northern agenda of the NPP movers, since as he said, he is already a part-time farmer, with a number of tractors.
Jawula, having had over thirty years in civil service, the Gonja/Ga native candidate stands tall among his competitors. With thirty-two years of experience in the civil service, Alhaji Nuru Deen Jawula has carved a niche for himself in the discharge of his duties in the various institutions that he served.
Through his selfless, dedication and above all his commitment to serve his people, his competence in the public service has proven a better track record which has endowed him with rich experience to take Ghana to greater heights if he partners Akuffo-Addo for the presidential race. His visionary qualities have attracted lots of heavy weights within the NPP to endorse his candidature to partner Nana Akuffo-Addo.
His neutrality puts him above his competitors to be able to bridge the gap between the North and South. His long stewardship in the civil service makes him understand the structures, management and the plight of Ghanaian workers. His leadership qualities made him the obvious choice as a chief (Lepowura) in his hometown when the stool became vacant.
As a son of Kpembe Royal clan, Alhaji M.N.D Jawula was born a thorough-bred Zongo person and is a descendant of Jakpa, the Warrior, Known in Zongo folklore.
His political ambition was overshadowed by his long spell in the public service until recently when he mounted the stage of the NPP at Kasoa in a mammoth rally when the party introduced its flag bearer, Nana Akuffo-Addo.
From Gambaga to Wale Wale, through to Yendi and Damongo, where he served as District Executive in the 1970s and 1980s, his selfless dedication to work made him earn promotion upon promotion to serve in the Ministries of Finance and Economic Planning, Railways, Ports and Harbours until his retirement from the Health sector as a Chief Director. His rich experience in the administration of football made the country to chalk successes in events organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
From the boat of Real Tamale United, he jumped onto the Ghana Football Association board in 1994 and became its vice chairman in 1995. Later he became the chairman of the Football Association in 1999 and onto the Standing Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) with its entire network.
Meanwhile, according to some members of the Sweet Apple branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), they have called on the leadership of the party, particularly it's flag bearer, Nana Akuffo-Addo, to choose Alhaji M.N.D. Jawula as the party’s running mate for the December 2008 elections.
According to them, critical analysis of the fortunes of the NPP so far points to the fact that Alhaji Mohammed Nurudeen Jawula, a former Chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) stands tall among the possible vice Presidential materials whose names are currently making the rounds.
Speaking to this paper after a consultative meeting involving members and executives of the Sweet Apple NPP branch over the weekend at their office in Accra New Town, a leading executive member of the branch, Madam Hajia Kande stated that after painstaking research and consultation among the rank and file of it's membership and other members of the NPP at both the national and regional level, it has become obvious that Alhaji Jawula is the right person to partner Nana Akuffo-Addo, to ensure not only a resounding victory for the NPP but to fulfill the party’s promises to Ghanaians.
She said, Alhaji Jawula has proven to all and sundry that "his vision is to work for Ghana" and has accordingly excelled in all administrative positions he occupied, mentioning among them his achievements as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Real Tamale United, the GFA, and Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, among others.
Hajia Kande mentioned that in all positions Alhaji Jawula occupied, he worked to the admiration of all, irrespective of one's political or religious affiliation, stressing that "this is someone who can unite Ghana".
Buttressing her points further, she intimated that Alhaji M.N.D Jawula has worked with people with different political, religious, tribal and educational backgrounds, so could be in the best position to unite what she described as an almost "polarised Ghana".
"At this time of our political dispensation, Ghana needs someone who can unite the entire nation, just as Alhaji has done in unifying people wherever he is chosen to lead.
These and many more qualities have made Alhaji Jawula not only a winnable bet, but a person who has the ability to add more value to our Presidency and help to maintain Ghana as the enviable peaceful nation in the sub-region".
Also speaking with this paper further, Mr. Luqman Musah, Secretary of the Accra New Town based Sweet Apple NPP branch stated that "judging from all available facts, sports is a major unifying factor as exhibited during the Germany 2006 world cup and the just ended MTN CAN 2008 Africa Cup of nations hosted by Ghana. It is obvious Alhaji is best positioned to use sports to unite the nation"
Mr. Luqman Musah therefore urged the NPP leadership to nominate Alhaji Jawula as the running mate of Nana Akuffo Addo.
MTN supports Ga Traditional Council
As part of its commitment to deepen its ties with communities it operates, Mobile Telecommunication Network (MTN) on Monday donated money and other souvenirs valued at GH¢15,000 to help the Ga Traditional Council in the celebration of the Homowo festival.
Included in the sponsorship package was a presentation of GH¢5,000.00 cash to the Ga Traditional Council coupled with assorted MTN-branded souvenirs worth GH¢1,000.00.
In addition, the company presented a FWAP machine, popularly known as space-to-space, with airtime worth GH¢350.00 and a 3 fully connected mobile phones.
“When we came into this country, we made it our commitment to improve living standards in the communities we operate in. It is the deepening of our relationships with these communities that really drive the key aspect of our business”, noted Mawuena Dumor, Executive for Corporate Service of MTN, Ghana, when she led a group of officials from her outfit to make the presentation to the Ga Mantse.
According to her, MTN was motivated to use the occasion to establish close relationship with its customer base, so as to be part in the development process of the communities within which they operate.
The Chief Marketing Officer of MTN, George Andam noted that MTN was attracted to be part in the celebration of the Homowo festival because it shares some of the values of the Ga people.
“MTN is excited to be associated with the Homowo festival because we believe it expresses some of the values that MTN hold dear and which drives our business. Throughout history and today, the leadership values and the can-do spirit of the Ga people is made evident in a number of events. We are told of how the ancestors of the Ga State through their can-do spirit and leadership overcame hunger. Incidentally, these are values MTN hold dear”, he noted.
MTN would as part of its sponsorship package, use some of the money in sponsoring a special Ga community football gala which kicks off on Friday, August 15th 2008 at the Manste Agbona Park.
In his acceptance speech, the Ga Manste, King Tackie Tawiah III thanked MTN for its kind gesture in taking the initiative to support the Homowo festival.
“Your choice of supporting our Homowo festival is a unique one. Homowo represents to as not only as a festive occasion but a communication between our fore-fathers who have made it possible for us to enjoy the fruits of their labour”, he stated. According to him, the professionalism with which MTN goes about its operations makes it the best telecom company in the country. “This morning, we have enjoyed the clarity of communication. MTN is not a label but a people’s institution. They can be assured that, they are the best telecom company in the country because the professionalism with which they does things”, he noted. The Ga Mantse congratulated MTN for its commitments in improving living standards in communities of its jurisdiction and urged other corporate bodies to do the same.
Included in the sponsorship package was a presentation of GH¢5,000.00 cash to the Ga Traditional Council coupled with assorted MTN-branded souvenirs worth GH¢1,000.00.
In addition, the company presented a FWAP machine, popularly known as space-to-space, with airtime worth GH¢350.00 and a 3 fully connected mobile phones.
“When we came into this country, we made it our commitment to improve living standards in the communities we operate in. It is the deepening of our relationships with these communities that really drive the key aspect of our business”, noted Mawuena Dumor, Executive for Corporate Service of MTN, Ghana, when she led a group of officials from her outfit to make the presentation to the Ga Mantse.
According to her, MTN was motivated to use the occasion to establish close relationship with its customer base, so as to be part in the development process of the communities within which they operate.
The Chief Marketing Officer of MTN, George Andam noted that MTN was attracted to be part in the celebration of the Homowo festival because it shares some of the values of the Ga people.
“MTN is excited to be associated with the Homowo festival because we believe it expresses some of the values that MTN hold dear and which drives our business. Throughout history and today, the leadership values and the can-do spirit of the Ga people is made evident in a number of events. We are told of how the ancestors of the Ga State through their can-do spirit and leadership overcame hunger. Incidentally, these are values MTN hold dear”, he noted.
MTN would as part of its sponsorship package, use some of the money in sponsoring a special Ga community football gala which kicks off on Friday, August 15th 2008 at the Manste Agbona Park.
In his acceptance speech, the Ga Manste, King Tackie Tawiah III thanked MTN for its kind gesture in taking the initiative to support the Homowo festival.
“Your choice of supporting our Homowo festival is a unique one. Homowo represents to as not only as a festive occasion but a communication between our fore-fathers who have made it possible for us to enjoy the fruits of their labour”, he stated. According to him, the professionalism with which MTN goes about its operations makes it the best telecom company in the country. “This morning, we have enjoyed the clarity of communication. MTN is not a label but a people’s institution. They can be assured that, they are the best telecom company in the country because the professionalism with which they does things”, he noted. The Ga Mantse congratulated MTN for its commitments in improving living standards in communities of its jurisdiction and urged other corporate bodies to do the same.
Ghana, dumping site for e-waste
Ghana has been identified as a dumping site for e-waste by European Countries, Japan and America. These countries are the home of electronic manufacturing giants such as Philips, Toshiba, Dell, Sony, Grundig, Sharp, Microsoft, Nokia, Siemens, Hewlett Packard, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, IBM, Lenovo, Panasonic and other electrical appliances.
Grappling with what to do with the mounting piles of toxic e-waste in their respective countries, these aforementioned countries illegally dump their waste on the soils of Ghana.
According to the United Nations Laureate on environment, Mike Anane, at a press briefing at one of the dump sites at the Agblogbloshie market, in Accra over the weekend, he noted that despite the Basel Ban Amendment under the Basel Convention, which prohibits the export of e-waste from developed to developing countries, the exports are still increasing, a situation which he said needed to be stopped.
The United Nations Environment Programme recently stated that 20-50million tones of electronics are discarded each year, with 70% of these products being shipped to poor nations, including Ghana.
One of Anane’s biggest concern on e-waste stem from the United States of America’s conversion from analog television signal to digital in February 2009. “Observers estimate that this year alone, people will buy 32million digital televisions, the old televisions will then get dumped in countries such as Ghana”, he noted.
He reiterated that even though there are international laws that ban the export of computer waste, people are getting round this ban by labeling their shipments as usable second-hand goods or donations.
“My research shows that about 90% of the computers are junk. They just don’t work. They are obsolete, not functional and they contain an array of toxic materials, including lead, mercury and brominated flame retardants and they are destined for disposal in their countries of origin. But they are sent here where only about 10% are put to good use. The rest go straight to the Agbogbloshie dump site and other dump sites around the country where they contaminate ground water, surface water, the rivers and the streams, this is simply dumping and nothing more”, he added.
Dumping of e-waste is a major problem in the country because of the presence of these toxic elements like lead, mercury and cadmium. These toxic elements pose a threat to human life, our water bodies and the environment.
A visit to this dump site at Agbogbloshie revealed that children between the ages of 5-12 are mostly involved in this business for survival. They dismantle the e-waste (computers and electrical appliances) at this dump site for copper and other metals. They do not put on any protective wear and equipment, thereby exposing them to lethal doses of hazardous chemicals like mercury and lead.
Stephen Bonnie, a ten year old boy from the Ebenezer Methodist School in Madina noted that he makes GH¢4.00 a day out of the sales of copper that he collects from the e-waste to support his mother, a divorcee and a trader.
“Children in particular are highly susceptible to toxic substances, which could lead to long term cancers that affect the lungs and all parts of the body”, noted Mike Anane.
Some of the workers interviewed showed grave concern about the deplorable state these children are in, and government not happy about their presence at the dump site.
“We have on a number of occasions sacked these children to go to school but they wouldn’t listen. I’m sure government is not happy about our presence here. We’ve heard Honourable Abubaka Saddique Boniface on several occasions complaining bitterly on television about our presence here. But this is our source of income and we have not alternative than to stay”, recounted Alhassan Mohammed, an eighteen year old scrap dealer.
The dismantling of the e-waste is done on the banks of the Korle Lagoon which is very close to the dumping site.
According the UN Laureate Environmentalist, when it rains all the debris of the dismantled and burnt e-waste find their way into the lagoon, causing havoc to plant and animal lives in the water.
Plumes of toxic smoke also fill the air each day as the wires in the computers and other electrical components are burnt to retrieve copper.
A Non-Governmental Organisation, Greenpeace International disclosed at its website that samples of tested soils in these dump sites (Agbogbloshie and Koforidua) contained toxic metals including lead in quantities as much as one hundred times above levels found in uncontaminated soil and sediment samples. Other samples (phthalates) which is known to interfere with sexual reproduction, were found in most of the test samples, according to the statement posted on the website of Greenpeace International.
Dr. Kevin Brigden, a scientist at Greenpeace International, who led in the testing of the soil samples disclosed that many of the chemicals released were highly toxic and may affect children’s development reproductive systems, while others could affect brain development and the nervous system.
Dr. Brigden attributed these health implications on bad corporate practices and public policy that have failed to address e-waste. Mike Anane therefore called for appropriate policies from the government of Ghana and through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to bring the situation to a halt.
“E-waste exportation and dumping in Ghana is a clear violation of European and international law. It is simply prohibited to export hazardous wastes to non-EU countries, and there is the need for member states of the EU to better implement and apply European law on e-waste dumping. We have a responsibility to clean up because we shouldn’t let this e-waste to remain here for our future generation. The impunity must stop”, he noted.
Grappling with what to do with the mounting piles of toxic e-waste in their respective countries, these aforementioned countries illegally dump their waste on the soils of Ghana.
According to the United Nations Laureate on environment, Mike Anane, at a press briefing at one of the dump sites at the Agblogbloshie market, in Accra over the weekend, he noted that despite the Basel Ban Amendment under the Basel Convention, which prohibits the export of e-waste from developed to developing countries, the exports are still increasing, a situation which he said needed to be stopped.
The United Nations Environment Programme recently stated that 20-50million tones of electronics are discarded each year, with 70% of these products being shipped to poor nations, including Ghana.
One of Anane’s biggest concern on e-waste stem from the United States of America’s conversion from analog television signal to digital in February 2009. “Observers estimate that this year alone, people will buy 32million digital televisions, the old televisions will then get dumped in countries such as Ghana”, he noted.
He reiterated that even though there are international laws that ban the export of computer waste, people are getting round this ban by labeling their shipments as usable second-hand goods or donations.
“My research shows that about 90% of the computers are junk. They just don’t work. They are obsolete, not functional and they contain an array of toxic materials, including lead, mercury and brominated flame retardants and they are destined for disposal in their countries of origin. But they are sent here where only about 10% are put to good use. The rest go straight to the Agbogbloshie dump site and other dump sites around the country where they contaminate ground water, surface water, the rivers and the streams, this is simply dumping and nothing more”, he added.
Dumping of e-waste is a major problem in the country because of the presence of these toxic elements like lead, mercury and cadmium. These toxic elements pose a threat to human life, our water bodies and the environment.
A visit to this dump site at Agbogbloshie revealed that children between the ages of 5-12 are mostly involved in this business for survival. They dismantle the e-waste (computers and electrical appliances) at this dump site for copper and other metals. They do not put on any protective wear and equipment, thereby exposing them to lethal doses of hazardous chemicals like mercury and lead.
Stephen Bonnie, a ten year old boy from the Ebenezer Methodist School in Madina noted that he makes GH¢4.00 a day out of the sales of copper that he collects from the e-waste to support his mother, a divorcee and a trader.
“Children in particular are highly susceptible to toxic substances, which could lead to long term cancers that affect the lungs and all parts of the body”, noted Mike Anane.
Some of the workers interviewed showed grave concern about the deplorable state these children are in, and government not happy about their presence at the dump site.
“We have on a number of occasions sacked these children to go to school but they wouldn’t listen. I’m sure government is not happy about our presence here. We’ve heard Honourable Abubaka Saddique Boniface on several occasions complaining bitterly on television about our presence here. But this is our source of income and we have not alternative than to stay”, recounted Alhassan Mohammed, an eighteen year old scrap dealer.
The dismantling of the e-waste is done on the banks of the Korle Lagoon which is very close to the dumping site.
According the UN Laureate Environmentalist, when it rains all the debris of the dismantled and burnt e-waste find their way into the lagoon, causing havoc to plant and animal lives in the water.
Plumes of toxic smoke also fill the air each day as the wires in the computers and other electrical components are burnt to retrieve copper.
A Non-Governmental Organisation, Greenpeace International disclosed at its website that samples of tested soils in these dump sites (Agbogbloshie and Koforidua) contained toxic metals including lead in quantities as much as one hundred times above levels found in uncontaminated soil and sediment samples. Other samples (phthalates) which is known to interfere with sexual reproduction, were found in most of the test samples, according to the statement posted on the website of Greenpeace International.
Dr. Kevin Brigden, a scientist at Greenpeace International, who led in the testing of the soil samples disclosed that many of the chemicals released were highly toxic and may affect children’s development reproductive systems, while others could affect brain development and the nervous system.
Dr. Brigden attributed these health implications on bad corporate practices and public policy that have failed to address e-waste. Mike Anane therefore called for appropriate policies from the government of Ghana and through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to bring the situation to a halt.
“E-waste exportation and dumping in Ghana is a clear violation of European and international law. It is simply prohibited to export hazardous wastes to non-EU countries, and there is the need for member states of the EU to better implement and apply European law on e-waste dumping. We have a responsibility to clean up because we shouldn’t let this e-waste to remain here for our future generation. The impunity must stop”, he noted.
A new dawn in advertising
“ Every morning in Africa, a gazette awakens knowing that it must outrun the fastest lion if it wants to stay alive. The lion also wakes up knowing it must run faster than the slowest gazette, or it will starve to death. It makes no difference, whether you are a lion or gazette, when the sun comes up, you will better be running”, so says an African adage.
The Ghanaian economy has become so competitive that it has resulted in a daily struggle of corporate bodies for their survival.
In effect, some of these corporate bodies have resorted to doing everything possible to either stay on top or maintain their share of the market.
As a result of the competitive nature of the market, these corporate bodies have devised ingenious but aggressive strategies of informing the public about the availability of their products and services.
The adoption of these new strategies has helped some of the corporate bodies to expand their frontiers and are growing from strength to strength, whilst those who have refused to join the new trend have been kept crawling along the way. For those Companies which have been left behind in the competitive market environment, it is not for the reasons that they lack vision, creativity, motivation, challenge, setbacks and failures.
Those who have succeeded have managed their growth, adapted to changes, overcome market failures and fought hard against all odds on the market.
The ‘dog eats dog’ syndrome has resulted in some companies adopting new strategies of doing business, which has gone a long way in destroying the environment.
Today, some corporate bodies have adopted ‘appropriate’ local technology by using Trees along the major streets of urban Towns and Cities to publicize their products, instead of using the widely acknowledged and accepted use of Billboards for advertising. This unorthodox corporate practice is gradually gaining grounds in the country.
The country faces the risk of losing the trees which provide scenic beauty and protect human lives by removing emissions of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Much as this strategy works, it has serious repercussion on the environment. Unfortunately, those who carry out the ‘Tree Billborads’ do it in a haphazard manner by cutting the tree branches to design their adverts. Our lives depend on the greens around us without which our survival is meaningless. Plants inhale carbon dioxide that has been exhaled by man coupled with other nutrients in the soil for survival. Likewise, man also breathes in oxygen exhaled by plants for survival.
Global climatic changes have resulted in heat waves from the scorching sun. The destruction of plant life is a contributing factor to this climatic phenomenon. The simple answer is that our environment is dying as a result of environmental degradation of which bad corporate practices are a major contributor.
Whilst some institutions, individuals and other cooperate bodies are spending millions of cedis to save the environment, others are also doing their very worst to destroy it.
Almost all the trees along the principal streets in the Cities and Towns have been branded with one advert or the other.
The trees along 1st Jawaharlah Neru road in Cantonments, Liberation circle, Castle road and some other streets in the Ministries area have not been spared this new craze of ‘Tree Billboards’. Some of the major Institutional Corporate Oraganisations that engage in this practice include the Telecom Companies, Banks, Breweries, Educational Institutions and Political Parties among others.
The City authorities have remained unconcerned about the menace. An overseer at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Timothy Oman, in an interview with the paper revealed that Pepsi-cola as part of its sponsorship deal for hosting the African cup of nations (CAN2008) resorted to branding all the trees in the metropolis, to advertise to its customers. “What you are witnessing is a paid for advert by Pepsi-cola. It is part of the company’s investment package for hosting the African Cup of Nations in the country”, he noted. When questioned whether this art of branding by Pepsi-cola does not pose any threat to the trees, he said “a committee was set up to see how best Pepsi-cola goes about with its adverts in the city, of which a member from the Department of Parks and Gardens was included. So if the branding exercise was going to have any damage to the trees, we would have been told’.
The branding of the trees has been done in a form of mini flags nailed to the trees along the streets. The environmental protection Agency (EPA) early this month stated that negative human activities had contributed immensely to climate change.
According to the Brong Ahafo regional Director of the EPA, Isaac Osei, climate change was a man-made global threat to the sustainability of life on earth, hence the need for attitudinal change to minimize the destruction of the environment.
Concerned with the impact of global warming as a result of climatic change, the Berekum Municipal Chief Executive, Kwabena Kyere-Yeboah cautioned Ghanaians to protect trees in their communities, since they (trees) protect human being in several ways.
The programme’s coordinator of friends of the Earth-Ghana, Noble Waadza in an interview with the paper noted that nailing of adverts on trees subject the trees to death.
According to him, the nail creates holes in the tree which makes it prone to bacteria infections and other diseases.
“A nail can bleed a tree to death if the sap runs out. The tree is just like the human being which needs to be protected. Any external force on it exposes it to danger.
Branding of the trees also takes away their value.
This bad corporate practice needs to stop. We need to preserve our environment because our lives depend on it”, he added.
The Ghanaian economy has become so competitive that it has resulted in a daily struggle of corporate bodies for their survival.
In effect, some of these corporate bodies have resorted to doing everything possible to either stay on top or maintain their share of the market.
As a result of the competitive nature of the market, these corporate bodies have devised ingenious but aggressive strategies of informing the public about the availability of their products and services.
The adoption of these new strategies has helped some of the corporate bodies to expand their frontiers and are growing from strength to strength, whilst those who have refused to join the new trend have been kept crawling along the way. For those Companies which have been left behind in the competitive market environment, it is not for the reasons that they lack vision, creativity, motivation, challenge, setbacks and failures.
Those who have succeeded have managed their growth, adapted to changes, overcome market failures and fought hard against all odds on the market.
The ‘dog eats dog’ syndrome has resulted in some companies adopting new strategies of doing business, which has gone a long way in destroying the environment.
Today, some corporate bodies have adopted ‘appropriate’ local technology by using Trees along the major streets of urban Towns and Cities to publicize their products, instead of using the widely acknowledged and accepted use of Billboards for advertising. This unorthodox corporate practice is gradually gaining grounds in the country.
The country faces the risk of losing the trees which provide scenic beauty and protect human lives by removing emissions of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Much as this strategy works, it has serious repercussion on the environment. Unfortunately, those who carry out the ‘Tree Billborads’ do it in a haphazard manner by cutting the tree branches to design their adverts. Our lives depend on the greens around us without which our survival is meaningless. Plants inhale carbon dioxide that has been exhaled by man coupled with other nutrients in the soil for survival. Likewise, man also breathes in oxygen exhaled by plants for survival.
Global climatic changes have resulted in heat waves from the scorching sun. The destruction of plant life is a contributing factor to this climatic phenomenon. The simple answer is that our environment is dying as a result of environmental degradation of which bad corporate practices are a major contributor.
Whilst some institutions, individuals and other cooperate bodies are spending millions of cedis to save the environment, others are also doing their very worst to destroy it.
Almost all the trees along the principal streets in the Cities and Towns have been branded with one advert or the other.
The trees along 1st Jawaharlah Neru road in Cantonments, Liberation circle, Castle road and some other streets in the Ministries area have not been spared this new craze of ‘Tree Billboards’. Some of the major Institutional Corporate Oraganisations that engage in this practice include the Telecom Companies, Banks, Breweries, Educational Institutions and Political Parties among others.
The City authorities have remained unconcerned about the menace. An overseer at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Timothy Oman, in an interview with the paper revealed that Pepsi-cola as part of its sponsorship deal for hosting the African cup of nations (CAN2008) resorted to branding all the trees in the metropolis, to advertise to its customers. “What you are witnessing is a paid for advert by Pepsi-cola. It is part of the company’s investment package for hosting the African Cup of Nations in the country”, he noted. When questioned whether this art of branding by Pepsi-cola does not pose any threat to the trees, he said “a committee was set up to see how best Pepsi-cola goes about with its adverts in the city, of which a member from the Department of Parks and Gardens was included. So if the branding exercise was going to have any damage to the trees, we would have been told’.
The branding of the trees has been done in a form of mini flags nailed to the trees along the streets. The environmental protection Agency (EPA) early this month stated that negative human activities had contributed immensely to climate change.
According to the Brong Ahafo regional Director of the EPA, Isaac Osei, climate change was a man-made global threat to the sustainability of life on earth, hence the need for attitudinal change to minimize the destruction of the environment.
Concerned with the impact of global warming as a result of climatic change, the Berekum Municipal Chief Executive, Kwabena Kyere-Yeboah cautioned Ghanaians to protect trees in their communities, since they (trees) protect human being in several ways.
The programme’s coordinator of friends of the Earth-Ghana, Noble Waadza in an interview with the paper noted that nailing of adverts on trees subject the trees to death.
According to him, the nail creates holes in the tree which makes it prone to bacteria infections and other diseases.
“A nail can bleed a tree to death if the sap runs out. The tree is just like the human being which needs to be protected. Any external force on it exposes it to danger.
Branding of the trees also takes away their value.
This bad corporate practice needs to stop. We need to preserve our environment because our lives depend on it”, he added.
Kufuor swears in Kofi Annan into office
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The immediate past Secretary-General of the United Nations, His Excellency Kofi Annan, was on Monday officially inducted into office, as the new Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Legon.
He was sworn into office by the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor.
His elevation to the high office of Chancellor of the University came as a result of the vacuum created by the sudden death of Oyeeman Wereko Ampem II, who reigned as Chancellor of the University for seven years (1999-2005). Kofi Annan thus becomes the third Chancellor, in the history of the University, after Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, President of the First Republic of Ghana, and Oyeeman Wereko Ampem II, both of blessed memory.
As spelt in the University’s Constitution, Article 4, clause 7, makes H. E. Kofi Annan, the titular head of the University, and shall hold the office for a term of five years, of which he is eligible for appointment for another term only.
His new role makes him preside over congregations and ceremonies of the university.
As the Chancellor of the University, he takes precedence over all other members of the university, and is entitled to make representations to the Council, on matters relevant to the aims of the university, as set out in the act establishing the University.
President Kufuor, in his remarks after swearing in H. E. Kofi Annan into office, described him as a selfless son of Africa, who served the world with distinction, in his efforts to improve living standards, especially in the African continent.
“Kofi, you have served the world with distinction, and have returned home laden with many honours. Indeed, you have brought honour to Ghana. The accolade conferred on you today, can therefore be considered as a justifiable acknowledgement of your services to mankind. I am sure you will agree with me, that it is not too much for this institution to single you out, to assume this noble duty of Chancellor, in favour of your own country. I am confident that under your wise guidance, this university will achieve greater heights and shine even more,” he noted.
According to the President, the good conduct and hard work of Kofi Annan, makes him an exemplary role model for the youth to emulate, in order to attain greater heights in all fields of their endeavours.
President Kufuor believed that the former UN Secretary-General’s enthronement, to the enviable position of a Chancellor of the University, would further propel the university to greater heights.
He was sworn into office by the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor.
His elevation to the high office of Chancellor of the University came as a result of the vacuum created by the sudden death of Oyeeman Wereko Ampem II, who reigned as Chancellor of the University for seven years (1999-2005). Kofi Annan thus becomes the third Chancellor, in the history of the University, after Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, President of the First Republic of Ghana, and Oyeeman Wereko Ampem II, both of blessed memory.
As spelt in the University’s Constitution, Article 4, clause 7, makes H. E. Kofi Annan, the titular head of the University, and shall hold the office for a term of five years, of which he is eligible for appointment for another term only.
His new role makes him preside over congregations and ceremonies of the university.
As the Chancellor of the University, he takes precedence over all other members of the university, and is entitled to make representations to the Council, on matters relevant to the aims of the university, as set out in the act establishing the University.
President Kufuor, in his remarks after swearing in H. E. Kofi Annan into office, described him as a selfless son of Africa, who served the world with distinction, in his efforts to improve living standards, especially in the African continent.
“Kofi, you have served the world with distinction, and have returned home laden with many honours. Indeed, you have brought honour to Ghana. The accolade conferred on you today, can therefore be considered as a justifiable acknowledgement of your services to mankind. I am sure you will agree with me, that it is not too much for this institution to single you out, to assume this noble duty of Chancellor, in favour of your own country. I am confident that under your wise guidance, this university will achieve greater heights and shine even more,” he noted.
According to the President, the good conduct and hard work of Kofi Annan, makes him an exemplary role model for the youth to emulate, in order to attain greater heights in all fields of their endeavours.
President Kufuor believed that the former UN Secretary-General’s enthronement, to the enviable position of a Chancellor of the University, would further propel the university to greater heights.
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