Ghana: Road workers' unions call on government to pay arrears

Two road workers’ unions have called on the government to pay arrears or face job losses and construction delays.

The Association of Road Contractors (ASROC) and the Progressive Road Contractors Association (PROCA) say the government should have settled its GH¢180 million (US$62 million) bill 16 months ago, and that the failure to do so has left 68,000km of the country’s roads in a poor state of maintenance, posing a threat to road users and vehicles transporting both goods and passengers.

Speaking at an Accra press conference, ASROC’s national chairman  Joseph Ebo Hewton, who made the appeal, raised the concern that  delayed payment was not only affecting the industry, but other  sectors such as agriculture too. Poor roads mean that farmers are unable to transport their produce to market centres and, as a result, lose revenue.

Also contributing to the discussion, the general secretary of the Contractors and Building Materials Workers' Union of Ghana, Pius Quainoo, said that 10,000 building and road construction workers had been laid off because of delayed payment by the government.  “The soaring unemployment has economic and social negative consequences on the country, and it doesn’t give good image publicity to the building and construction sector in Ghana,” he said. 

For more news and expert analysis about Ghana, please see Ghana Politics & Security.

© 2014 Menas Associates

Opposition MP renews veiled attack on party leadership

Samia Nkrumah, the opposition CPP's outspoken MP for Jomoro, has warned that the party will continue to struggle if it does not elect “credible and transparent” leaders, a veiled attack on Paa Kwesi Nduom, the party's lacklustre presidential candidate in 2008.

Daughter of Ghana's first president Kwame Nkrumah, Samia Nkrumah accused the current CPP leadership of failing to inspire confidence and losing touch with core party activists.

Nkrumah, who is contesting the CPP's chairmanship position, said the party needs fresh faces and a radically different approach.

“We need to move away from negative campaigning and focus on issues. We need that approach in politics. We need to rise above the pettiness and not be concerned with personality and maligning each other, but just focus on the work on the ground,” she said.

Nduom, however, has played down rumours of disunity within the party ranks.

He says that the current problems facing the CPP are “minor” compared to the crises that characterised both the largest opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of their respective party congresses.

For more news and expert analysis about Ghana, please see Ghana Politics & Security.

© 2011 Menas Associates

ODI highlights Ghana's "star performance"

The Overseas Development Institute (ODI), which is Britain's leading independent think tank on international development and humanitarian issues, has highlighted Ghana's ' star performance' in a new report due to be launched in Accra on 23rd June. “The Ghana Story” is part of a broader global report called ' Mapping Progress: Evidence for a new development outlook, ' based on research from 24 countries.

It lauds Ghana for showing sustained progress for over two decades in various areas including growth, agriculture, healthcare, education and sanitation and says, “ Ghana is on track to meet Millennium Development Goal 1 – halving rates of poverty and malnutrition by 2015. Having raised food production per capita by more than 80 per cent since the early 1980s, Ghana is largely self-sufficient in staple foods.”

According to ODI Director Alison Evans, “ the performance of Ghana is a reason to be optimistic about the country's future. Despite major challenges confronting Ghana's agricultural sector we believe this report provides evidence that progress in development is not only possible, it is happening.”

The Ghana launch will be held at the African Centre for Economic Transformation (ACET) and will also highlight other success stories on the continent.

For more news and expert analysis about Ghana, please see Ghana Politics & Security.

© 2011 Menas Associates

Tullow to acquire EO Group's Ghanaian interests

On Thursday 26th May, Tullow announced that it was going to acquire EO Group's interests in offshore Ghana, for a combined share and cash consideration of $305 million. The acquisition will increase the company's interest in the West Cape Three Points licence by 3.5 per cent to 26.4 per cent and the company's interest in the Jubilee Oil field by 1.75 per cent to 36.5 per cent.

The date of the transaction is 1st December 2010. The agreement is conditional on the receipt of various approvals and assurances, including from the Government of Ghana. Upon completion, an application will be made to the UK Listing Authority and the Irish Stock Exchange for the shares to be admitted to the official list bodies.

Speaking about the deal, Tullow's Chief Executive Aidan Heavey said: “This acquisition represents an excellent opportunity to extend our interest in these high-quality assets in Ghana. Following our exploration and production successes over the last few years, which culminated in First Oil in late 2010, this purchase further demonstrates Tullow's long-term commitment to Ghana and our belief in its significant remaining potential.”

For more news and expert analysis about Ghana, please see Ghana Politics & Security.

Ghana: The New Patriotic Party tries internal democracy again

As the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) braces itself for an acrimonious primary contest for the party's presidential nomination in the 2012 elections, the opposing New Patriotic Party (NPP) is also organising primary contests to select its parliamentary candidates for the elections. Last year, the NPP held its own presidential primaries which elected Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo as the party's candidate with a massive majority.

The two parties, however, have different internal electoral systems. The NPP has chosen a much more open system of selecting candidates which involves as many as 117,000 delegates, all of whom are established members of the party. They form the basis on the electoral college which chooses candidates and office holders within the party. This system appears to be more open and democratic and less vulnerable to techniques of bribery or intimidation which in the past have been used to influence the choice of candidates. The result seems to be that of an internal democracy and a less competitive and independently-minded party.

By contrast, the NDC has stayed with the old-style party election system and will be choosing its presidential candidate at a special party congress with a much narrower list of delegates than its counterpart.

For more news and expert analysis about Ghana, please see Ghana Politics & Security.

© 2011 Menas Associates

Ghana: Nana Rawlings quits as NDC's first vice chairman to challenge Mills

Wife of former president Jerry Rawlings, Nana Rawlings, has said she will challenge President John Atta Mills in her party's upcoming primaries.

A letter to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) general secretary dated 14th April said that Rawlings was resigning from her position as NDC's first vice chairman so she could seek her party's nomination for the presidency in the July primaries. This is the first time a sitting president has been challenged by a member of the ruling party for the party's nomination.

The Presidency has downplayed the news. Director of Communications Koku Anyidoho told reporters that Mills would remain focused on delivering his electoral promises and would not be swayed by “distractions within the NDC.”

The Greater Accra regional branch of the NDC has pledged its support for the President in any leadership contest and has issued a statement saying that “any attempt to change him as the candidate on the ticket of the NDC for the 2012 elections will be an unwise decision.”

The Ashanti region, Western region and Upper West region constituency executives have also expressed their support for President Mills as NDC presidential candidate for the 2012 elections.

Former president Jerry Rawlings seized power in Ghana in successive coups, first in 1979 and then again in 1981. He then served as the country's elected president between 1993 and 2001.

For more news and expert analysis about Ghana, please see Ghana Politics & Security.

© 2011 Menas Associates

Ghana: Parliament approves oil revenue accountability committee

Parliament has voted in favour of clause 53 of the Petroleum Revenue Management Bill to establish a Public Interest Accountability Committee (PIAC) despite reservations by the House Majority.

The new committee will ensure transparency in the management of petroleum revenue. Initially, the Majority were not in favour of the PIAC as they felt its duties could be performed by other state institutions. However, after consultation with the Minority, the House unanimously approved the clause.

Speaking during the parliamentary session, Majority leader Cletus Avoka stressed that while he approved the establishment of the committee, the House would have to further examine its functions and composition.

Chairman of the Energy Committee Moses Asaga wants the PIAC's powers to be limited to petroleum revenues only. Dr Anthony Akoto Osei – a member of Parliament's Finance Committee and the opposition Natioanl People Party – said that the PIAC could only function effectively if it is allowed to operate freely with few restrictions.

The House resumed debate on the Petroleum Revenue Management Bill last week after failing to pass it before going on recess.

For more news and expert analysis about Ghana, please see Ghana Politics & Security.


© 2010 Menas Associates

President John Atta Mills reshuffles cabinet

Ghana's President John Atta Mills has reshuffled his cabinet, keeping key positions such as foreign affairs, finance and defence in place. The President's office, who issued a statement regarding the changes, did not give a reason for the reshuffle. According to the statement, more ministerial changes are expected to be “announced in due course,” but no further details were given.

Martin Amidu, former Interior Minister, replaces Betty Mould-Iddrisu, as the Attorney General and Justice Minister. Mould-Iddrisu will take up a new post as the Education Minister. Sports Minister Akua Sena Dansua is redeployed to the Tourism Ministry, Health Minister Benjamin Kumbour moves to the Interior Ministry, vacated by Amidu, and former Local Government Minister Joseph Yieleh Chireh will be the new Health Minister. The list did not indicate the fate of former Minister of Tourism Zita Okaikoi and his education counterpart Alex Tettey-Enyo.

See list below for the newly appointed cabinet:

1. Attorney-General and Minister for Justice – Martin A. B. K. Amidu

2. Minister for Education – Betty Mould – Iddrisu

3. Minister for Local Government and Rural Development – Ofosu Ampofo

4. Minister for Youth and Sports Designate – Hon. Kofi Humado

5. Minister for Interior – Benjamin Kunbuor

6. Minister for Tourism – Akua Dansua

7. Minister for Health – Hon. Joseph Yieleh Chireh

8. Minister for Lands and Natural Resources – Mike Hammah

9. Minister for Transport – Hon. Collins Dauda

10. Eastern Regional Minister Designate – Kwesi Akyem Apea-Kubi

Sources: AFP, Business Week, Reuters, Vibe Ghana

For more news and expert analysis about Ghana, please see Ghana Politics & Security.

Ghana: New plan to boost employment says Industry and Trade minister

Minister of Trade and Industry Hannah Tetteh told parliament on 16th December of plans to implement a new Industrial Sector Support Programme to boost employment, increase foreign exchange and expanding exports. The plans are costed at GhC 82.6 million (US$55.5 million, according to Tetteh.

She added that the ministry wants to promote local goods including such as sorghum, malt and cotton. The government is working closely with its other regional partners in the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) to boost intra- African trade and develop a more coordinated approach to securing better market access in Europe and Asia through the World Trade Organisation and other negotiating fora.

For more news and expert analysis about Ghana, please see Ghana Politics & Security.

© 2010 Menas Associates

IFC invests in Ghana

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is investing GH¢1.58 million in Advans Ghana Savings and Loans Limited to help the microfinance institution expand lending to thousands of micro, small and medium sized enterprises in Ghana, according to a statement on the organisation's website. The five-year loan is the IFC's first in local currency to a microfinance institution in Ghana.

With the IFC's help, Advans will be able to expand its activities in Accra and nationally. Advans CEO Tanguy Gravot said of the news, “Microfinance institutions play a key role in helping improve the financial infrastructure in developing countries. Advans' partnership with IFC helps us on our growth and product diversification strategy, supporting not only micro enterprises but also small and medium companies.”

IFC's Ghana country manager Mary-Jean Moyo said, “IFC's investment in Advans Ghana is part of our global strategy to support micro, small and medium enterprises through microfinance institutions. Well managed, commercially run microfinance institutions like Advans Ghana are vital for creating a sound microfinance sector in Ghana, boosting lending to entrepreneurs and helping to improve people's lives.”

Advans Ghana should over the next three years create some 200 jobs and serve at least 40,000 microfinance clients, the statement said, 50 per cent of which are expected to be businesses run by females.

For more news and expert analysis about Ghana, please see Ghana Politics & Security.

© 2010 Menas Associates

Ghana given 'compliant' status in energy and mining sectors

Ghana has been awarded 'compliant' status, by the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), for improved transparency in the oil, gas and mining sectors. The new status is a reward for the government's transparency in disclosing payments it receives from companies extracting the country's natural resources.

EITI Board Chair Peter Eigen congratulated the Ghanaian government, the companies operating in the country and the civil society organisations that have supported Ghana in acquiring the new status. Speaking about the event, Eigen said, “the achievement of EITI Compliance status is well deserved and one that should spur on the country for strong management of the oil sector”.

The EITI is a group devoted to increasing financial disclosures in the oil, gas and mining industries. In order to obtain 'compliant' status, countries must complete a series of assessments of their disclosure and reporting practices.

Source: Joy Business

For more news and expert analysis about Ghana, please see Ghana Politics & Security.