Svani Group Aids Osu Presby Schools With Bus, Water Facility

By Edmund Mingle

Madam Doris Owusu (left)
receiving the keys and documents
to the bus from Mr. Thomas Svanikier

Svani Group Limited has rescued the Osu Presby Cluster of schools at Osu in Accra, from the difficulties of transportation and water supply, with the donation of a 36-seater bus and water facility to the cluster.

The donation of the Eicher bus worth 60,000dollars and the water facility comprising three mechanised boreholes and a reservoir, worth GHc75,000 was to alleviate the plight of the cluster in conveying the pupils for activities outside the campus, as well as addressing challenge of securing water supply for the cluster.

Prior to the provision of the water facility, the cluster, comprising eight schools, with a population of about 2,000, had to be sending the pupils to fetch water from outside the campus, resulting in the closure of the only toilet facility serving the cluster.

Although the toilet has been re-opened for use with the flow of water, relieving the pupils of the challenge in accessing a sanitation facility, Svani Group intends to redevelop it into an expanded modern water-closet facility.

In addition, the company is building a modern library and ---for the cluster.

The donation gesture forms part of activities marking the silver jubilee anniversary celebration of Svani Group,  a leading automobile and logistics services firm with subsidiaries in the oil and gas, energy and real estate sectors.    

Mr. Thomas Svanikier, Executive Chairman of Svani Group, presenting the donation on Monday indicated that the gesture was indicative of the company’s commitment to its social responsibility, as well as its contribution to the provision of quality education for children.

In addition, he said it was a form of giving back to the schools- especially the Osu Presby Boys (Salem) School where he had his primary education and Osu Presby Girls school where his mother attended.

He urged the teachers to give off their best in nurturing the children for the future, and assured the cluster of more assistance.

Madam Doris Owusu, Osu-Doku Circuit 30 Supervisor, receiving the donation, described it as a “surprise and a big relief” for the schools in the cluster.

She thanked the company for the support, and urged others to emulate the exemplary example.

Reverend Isaac Brown, headteacher of Osu Presby Boys school, and Mrs. Mercy Fiakpui, headteacher for Osu Presby Girls school, who would take managerial custody of the bus, thanked the company for the support, saying it would inspire the teachers and the pupils to do more.

Enoch Effah: Solving business problems with boxing skills

 By Edmund Mingle

He marshalled all the skills to become an undisputed and undefeated world heavyweight kickboxing champion.

But how he is now using those same skills to promote the growth of businesses, remains a talent reserved for only champions like Enoch Effah.

Born to Ghanaian parents in France, the French sports and business developer, Enoch Effah, is currently out of the ring but using his kickboxing skills to knock down problems confronting business leaders across the globe.

He believes that the survival skills in the ring can rightly be applied to business management to beat competition.

“Like in the ring, there is no room for error in business,” he says.

 

Born on May 1st 1983 at Melun, France, the French, European and World heavyweight champion, Enoch begun his career by accident when a friend took him to the boxing gym as a youngster.

The introduction to boxing changed his life, because prior to that he had given up on life- sports, studies and ambitions- following a family tragedy in which her mother died of cancer while he was 15 years.

However, through hard work and determination, Enoch’s glittering performance spurred him on to achieve laurels in France and Europe before becoming a world champion in 2005.

As of 2010 when he had his last international fight, Enoch held the French, European and world heavyweight belts, to crown a career of 49 fights, with 46 wins including 39 by Knock Outs. 

After a successful and challenging sports career, Enoch now runs the Nokefa Centre, through which support programmes have been developed for increasing number of businesses and organisation.

“At Nokefa, we teach entrepreneurs how to become a champion and stay a champion,” he indicated.

Like a boxer, he says enterprise leaders require strict organisational skills, vision, concentration, focus, motivation and determination, coupled with personal and professional discipline.

 

So far, Nokefa has developed management programmes for some of the top companies in France and Europe in general.

Backed by his Masters in Management and Coaching, business assistance degree and higher coaching certificate, Enoch has created a support system for professional and Citizen Coaching through which people are trained to set and achieve targets in life.

The personal and professional coaching at Nokefa has benefitted over 11,000 young entrepreneurs in Europe, while scores of business executives have signed onto the Centre’s programmes.

Married with two kids, Enoch has traced his roots back to Ghana and is currently setting a Nokefa branch in Accra to support business leaders to improve their management skills towards the growth of the companies.

He believes that Ghanaians entrepreneurs have what it takes to get to the world stage, and does not buy into the “being black and part of the minority” cliché, but believes that you can achieve your objectives if and with determination you harness all the resources available in any kind of situation.

Coming back to Ghana and Africa, he sees that challenges facing individuals and organizations, but remains convinced that the solutions are inside individuals.

“We need that mental revolution to explore our potential,” he says.

 Being very proud about his Ghanaian identity, Enoch foresees settling in Ghana with his family, to assist in unearthing potentials in the youth and support businesses to grow.

End

IEA Raises Issues With 40year Development Plan

THE INSTITUTE OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS (IEA-GHANA)

PRESS STATEMENT ON LAUNCH OF PREPARATORY WORK FOR A FORTY-YEAR (2018-2057) NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR GHANA

Introduction

The IEA commends the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) for steps towards developing a 40-year (2018-2057) National Development Plan (NDP) for Ghana. While we consider this a worthy cause, we wish to draw attention to some fundamental issues that need to be addressed in order to derive meaningful gains from this process. 

·         The IEA has undertaken extensive research on the issue of national development planning and considers it a critical national issue. It was one of seven key recommendations contained in an IEA report titled: The Winner-Takes-All Practice of Governance in Ghana – Proposals for Reform, submitted to the President’s Advisor on Governance, Mr. Daniel Batidam, on 15^th January, 2015, for the attention of His Excellency President Mahama. The 29-page report states on page 14 as follows (on national development planning):

·         “… The Committee (IEA-WTA Committee) in principle, shares the view that there should be a long-term national perspective plan formulated through broad consensus with inputs from all across the political divide which must reflect the views of identifiable groups both at the local and national level. The plan should guide all governments irrespective of which political party is in power. The manifestoes of political parties should explain how their policies and programmes would help achieve targets in the plan. Among other things, through the appointment process and conditions of service, personnel of the NDPC should be totally insulated from politics and political control. This provision must be entrenched in the Constitution. These interventions will ensure that all political parties voted to power are guided by the plan and are assessed by the extent to which they have implemented the national development agenda.”

Key Issues

·         Our years of research point to the fact that development plans have not yielded the required benefits to us as a nation because successive governments have all too often abandoned plans by previous governments.

·         In other cases, governments have simply changed policy focus and relegated national plans to the background. It has become the norm for governments to focus on implementing their party manifestoes instead of the national development plan.

·         These are the issues that have stifled meaningful gains from previous initiatives such as the Development Plan for National Reconstruction and Development (1963), Vision 2020 (1997), Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS I&II), among others.  

Proposals

It is against this background that The IEA has made the following key proposals in its publications and at numerous advocacy workshops:

·         That the NDPC should be made an independent and autonomous body charged with the responsibility of formulating and overseeing the implementation of a long term national development plans for Ghana. The current partisan mode of appointment of the head of the NDPC undermines the Commission’s independence.

·         That the National Development Plan should be entrenched in Ghana’s Constitution in order to make it truly binding on successive governments. Successive governments have consistently flouted legislations that are not entrenched. It is logical to expect that a national development plan that is not anchored in the constitution will be abandoned with a change in government. An entrenched plan would bind successive regimes and halt the tragedy of policy discontinuity that continues to undermine our development.

·    Ensure that the process of preparing the national development plan is open, transparent and inclusive of all stakeholders in order to ensure public buy-in and ownership of the final policy blueprint.

Conclusion

The on-going constitution review process provides the country with an opportunity to make critical amendments which lie at the heart of Ghana’s development challenges. We urge the government to take advantage of this golden opportunity to amend the clauses of the Constitution in order to give autonomy to the NDPC and also, entrench the National Development Plan to make it truly binding on all successive governments.

Signed

Mrs. Jean Mensa

Executive Director, IEA

Dated: 6^th August, 2015

Contact:

Dr. Ransford Gyampo

Research Fellow (IEA) Tel: 0244277275

Ghana, Morocco Renew Ties

July 30, 2015

By Edmund Mingle

MadamM’Hammdi, delivering her address while Mrs. Dzifa Attivor,
 Transport Minister, looks on.

Ghana and Morocco have renewed their bilateral ties in which the two have recommitted themselves to intensified economic cooperation.

The relationship between the two countries was rejuvenated this year with the opening of the first Joint-Commission for Cooperation in Rabat, resulting in opening up partnerships between Ghanaians and 

Moroccans.

At a reception in Accra on Thursday to commemorate the Kingdom of Morocco’s National Day celebrated with The Feast of the Throne,  Madam Nezha Alaoui M’Hammdi, Moroccan Ambassador to Ghana and Mrs. Dzifa Attivor, Minister of Transport, conveyed their respective governments’ commitment to their friendship.

According to the Ambassador, recent developments including the signing of various bilateral agreements and the increase in investment by Moroccans in Ghana, pointed the high confidence the two countries had in each other.

Proposing the toast, she said the first joint commission meeting has set the pace for cooperation in areas of common interest such as tourism, trade, marine fisheries, transport and energy sectors.

In that regard, she announced that a Moroccan business delegation was expected to visit Ghana soon to explore investment and partnership opportunities with the Ghanaian private sector.

“I express the wish that the new progressive dynamics now engaged between our two countries, marks the renewal, the rebirth of the age-old ties of friendship and solidarity dating back to Casablanca conference in 1961, for the beneficial partnership for both Moroccan and Ghanaian populations,” she said.

She was optimistic that the growing friendship will continue to create the platform for sharing of ideas towards addressing common developmental challenges, adding that Morocco admires Ghana’s democratic values.

“Ghana continues to exhibit strong leadership in democratic governance in Africa, and it is a confirmation of the degree of maturity and entrenchment of Ghana’s democratic culture,” she observed.

On the continental scale, she noted that Morocco attached priority to development, peace, stability and security in Africa, adding that its action is inspired by the secular civilisation that aims at promoting shared peace and prosperity.

She said Morocco believes in the need for collective effort to combat security threats posed by extremism, saying because such threats affect all countries, there was the need “for an inter-regional collective and inclusive response from North, East, Central and West Africa.”

Mrs. Attivor, responding to the toast, said Ghana was impressed with the unparalleled economic and democratic development in Morocco.

“The fact that Morocco was spared the Arab-spring that engulfed parts of North Africa, is a testament of the confidence the people have in the leadership of the King of Morocco, and his government’s democratic and development interventions,” she said.

She also commended Morocco for the role has played and continue to play in the resolution of conflicts in Africa, such as the Malian crisis, as our two countries have a shared interest in ensuring regional peace.

She conveyed the government’s felicitations to the King of Morocco, King Mohammed VI on the 16^th anniversary of his ascension to the throne, lauded the democratic and economic reforms achieved by his leadership.

In addition, she expressed Ghana’s commitment to the friendship with Morocco, and trusted that the recent bilateral agreements would bear significant dividends for the two sides.

GOGSPA touts benefits of Atuabo port project

The Ghana Oil and Gas Service Providers Association (GOGSPA) says the Atuabo Free Port project starting in the Western Region, has immense potential for job creation.

The group believes that contrary to claims by critics that the project pose a risk to workers at the existing Takoradi port, the Freeport would rather open up the country’s port system for more jobs.

Parliament last year approved the 600 million dollar commercial agreement for the freeport project which is a public private partnership aimed at creating a dedicated oil and gas port along the coast of Ghana to serve the emerging oil and gas industry in the sub-region.

However, five minority MPs filed a suit at the Sekondi High Court challenging the agreement. The Court dismissed the case, and a subsequent appeal at the Cape Coast Court of Appeal was also dismissed.

Dr. Nuertey Adzeman,

The MPs in a statement after the dismissal, accused government of manipulating the legal process, and maintained that the project posed a risk to the nation.

GOGSPA, in a statement issued in reaction to the claims by five MPs, described the criticism as misplaced.

The statement, signed by Dr. Nuertey Adzeman, Executive Director of the association,stated “the argument by the parliamentarians to defend Takoradi Ports and protect jobs of many Ghanaians working there cannot be justified.”

The association is convinced that with the Atuabo Freeport, the　local content could be given a major impetus with an increase in Ghanaian participation in the　percentage of locally produced materials, the number of local personnel, and the amount of goods　and services rendered in the petroleum industry value chain.

“Indeed, the Atuabo Freeport project is　complementary to that of Takoradi and will not displace any workers as being claimed. Quite on the contrary, the new port will rather create more new job opportunities for Ghanaians,” it said

It drew attention to the fact that Ghana’s second FPSO for the TEN project, was being built in Singapore with very limited Ghanaian participation.

“Given the oil discovery of our West Coast, Ghana is　expected to have at least six FPSOs in operation offshore Ghana. Fabrication work holds immense　potential for service providers and the existence of a fabrication yard at the Atuabo Freeport will　serve us well.

“As service providers, the new port will provide us with the opportunity to develop our capacity to　service the industry not only in Ghana but in the wider regional market,” it said.

Regarding security, it said the 1974 SOLAS Convention of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), which took effect　on July 1,2004; International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code would be applied at the Port, indicating that the argument by the critics of the project that this new port will pose a security risk to Ghana was flawed because there would be a dedicated facility located at the port to　oversee security.

“The local content and participation provisions within our Petroleum Laws seek to promote the　maximisation of value addition through the use of local expertise, goods, services and materials in　petroleum activities and the retention in country of as much activity as possible.

“Unfortunately, the manufacturing and industrial base of Ghana is at this point in time not　sufficiently mature to take advantage of the growing opportunities in the industry. As such, most　goods utilised in the petroleum values chain are imported.

“We believe the Atuabo free port project would maximise in-country spending, build local capacity and help ensure technology transfer.

According to the association, “any action to hold back its development　can only be detrimental to the many service providers the industry requires.”

Atuabo Free Port project: 5 MPs case struck out

By Edmund Mingle

The Court of Appeal in Cape Coast on Wednesday, dismissed an appeal case filed by five Members of Parliament (MPs), against the Atuabo Free Port project.

The court, presided over by Justice Clement Hoenyenugah, in its ruling said, the application was defective, and consequently struck it out.

A cost of GH¢6,000 was awarded against the applicants for the respondents-the Attorney-General and Atuabo Free Port.

The MPs — Mr Kwaku Kwarteng, Obuasi West; Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko, Takoradi; Mr Joseph Cudjoe, Effia; Mr Kofi Brako, Tema Central; and Mavis Hawa Koomson, Ewutu Senya-filed an application at the Sekondi High Court to have clause seven in the agreement, removed, claiming that that clause imposed an illegal restriction on the Takoradi Port from expanding into oil and gas services.

The Sekondi High Court, presided over by Mr Justice Peter Kwabena Ababio, had earlier dismissed the case, with the reason that the court could not interfere and overturn a decision taken by Parliament, as an independent body, in accordance with the Standing Orders of the House.

It said Parliament, in approving the agreement, did not violate any constitutional provision as it followed the process, according to the Standing Orders.

The court contended that since the House did not breach any constitutional provision, it could not interfere, explaining that it could only intervene and grant the wish of the applicants, if Parliament had failed to follow the procedures or set aside its own standing orders.

The appeal was seeking to overturn a ruling by the Sekondi High Court that dismissed the five New Patriotic Party MPs’ application for a judicial review of a law they claim restricts further expansion of oil and gas facilities at the Takoradi Port in favour of the Atuabo Free Port (AFP).

In July last year, Parliament approved a commercial agreement between the government of Ghana and a British company, Lonrho Ports, for the development of a 600million dollar oil and gas free port at Atuabo in the Western Region.

In a statement after Wednesday’s ruling by the Court of Appeal, Atuabo Free Port Ghana Limited said it was “pleased that this matter has now come to a close”.

“With the ongoing soils investigation and other processes continuing, we look forward to the realisation of Ghana’s first Free Port offering a gateway to the offshore oil and gas industry in Ghana and the wider Gulf of Guinea,” said the statement signed by Philomena Kuzoe, External Affairs Officer.

A few weeks after the Sekondi High Court ruling, the MPs, in a letter to Lonrho after that ruling, indicated that they had nothing against the project, except that they wanted the clause seven to be removed.

The letter signed by Kwabena Okyere Darko said, “As you well know, the matter we put before the Sekondi High Court, which matter we have again put before the Appeal Court, has nothing to do with the Atuabo Freeport”.

“There is no controversy over the Atuabo Freeport, and we respectfully urge you to proceed with the project without further delay,” the letter said, adding that their aim was to get the Appeal Court to rule on the restriction imposed on the expansion of oil and gas facilities at the Takoradi Port, to also give the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority the freedom to operate.

Clause Seven of the agreement bars the Takoradi Port from further expanding its facilities for oil and gas until Lonrho builds the freeport and recovers all its costs.

July 24, 2015