By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
The government is developing a new code of ethics for public officials as part of measures to check corruption and improve productivity, Vice President John Dramani Mahama, has announced.
He said the government was refining existing codes of ethics in the public sector to ensure that public officials work within a specified framework that would plug loopholes for corruption.
Speaking at a meeting with a South African business delegation that is promoting ethics in the business sector, at the Castle, Osu in Accra on Monday, Mr Mahama said the new code would ensure that offending officials answer for breaching the provisions of the code.
“There is no doubt about the political will to fight corruption,” he told the delegation led by the Right Rev. Dr. Yaw Frimpong Manso, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana and Graham Power, Chairman of Power Group of Companies, a South Africa based leading civil engineering firm that is also championing transparency and integrity in the African business community.
The Vice President also spoke of the government’s new assets declaration regime, in which the government was encouraging all public office holders to declare their assets and have it gazetted for public scrutiny, saying the new regime was a departure from the situation where “records of declared assets were locked under key.”
That, he said, was an indication that the government was fighting corruption by “will and deed.”
He lauded the work of the Power group of companies and said their objectives were in line with government’s desire to promote transparency in all spheres of the Ghanaian society.
Touching on business, Vice President Mahama, asked the company to consider investing in the agricultural industry since the sector had the potential to significantly cut poverty, especially in the rural areas.
He also urged the Presbyterian Church to increase its investments in the agricultural sector in support of government agenda to modernise agriculture industry, and assured of government support.
Mr. Power, who stopped over in Ghana on his way to Cote d’Ivoire for a “Global Day of Prayer,” a programme that brings together millions of people, especially from the business community across Africa and beyond to pray together, said the company had through its advocacy work, been encouraging its partners and other firms to do business with companies that uphold ethical principles and transparency.
“We have been challenging leaders in governance and business to be ethical, faithful, transparent, and to report fraud,” he said.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Manhyia Coming With A 40-Man Team
By Edmund Mingle
Thursday, 26 March 2009
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II will, on Monday, lead a 40-man delegation of chiefs from Asanteman to the Castle, in Accra, to formally congratulate President J.E.A. Mills on his assumption of office.
This was contained in a press statement issued yesterday by Presidential Spokesman Mahama Ayariga, detailing some activities the President is to undertake.
According to the statement, the President will tomorrow, visit the Jubilee Oilfield in the Western Region, as part of a familiarisation tour of on-going economic development projects in the country.
The President will arrive at the Takoradi Airforce base in the morning and proceed to the oil rig where he would be shown around and briefed extensively, on operations of the rig by Tullow Oil executives including the CEO, who is flying in specifically for the visit by the President.
On his return from the oil rig, President Mills will be in Cape Coast where a durbar of chiefs and people of the Central Region is expected to be held at the Victoria Park on Saturday, March 28, in his honour.
On Sunday, March 29, the Oguaaman Union will host the President to a special luncheon after a church service at the Pentecost Church, near Adisadel College, Cape Coast, to round off his activities in the region.
Thursday, 26 March 2009
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II will, on Monday, lead a 40-man delegation of chiefs from Asanteman to the Castle, in Accra, to formally congratulate President J.E.A. Mills on his assumption of office.
This was contained in a press statement issued yesterday by Presidential Spokesman Mahama Ayariga, detailing some activities the President is to undertake.
According to the statement, the President will tomorrow, visit the Jubilee Oilfield in the Western Region, as part of a familiarisation tour of on-going economic development projects in the country.
The President will arrive at the Takoradi Airforce base in the morning and proceed to the oil rig where he would be shown around and briefed extensively, on operations of the rig by Tullow Oil executives including the CEO, who is flying in specifically for the visit by the President.
On his return from the oil rig, President Mills will be in Cape Coast where a durbar of chiefs and people of the Central Region is expected to be held at the Victoria Park on Saturday, March 28, in his honour.
On Sunday, March 29, the Oguaaman Union will host the President to a special luncheon after a church service at the Pentecost Church, near Adisadel College, Cape Coast, to round off his activities in the region.
President Invited To Buruli Ulcer Summit
By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
President John Evans Atta Mills has expressed the government’s commitment to significantly contribute to the fight against deadly diseases such as Buruli Ulcer on the African continent, and to improve the health conditions of the citizenry.
“Everything that will improve the health of our people is worth supporting,” he told a delegation from Benin that called on him at the Castle, Osu, yesterday.
The team was here to deliver an invitation from Benin’s President, Dr Thomas Yayi Boni, for President Mills to attend to the Second International Conference and Research on ulcers in Cotonou, Benin.
The President noted the debilitating effect of buruli ulcers, especially among the poor in Africa, said Ghana attached importance to the upcoming conference and other initiatives towards eradicating the disease.
He thanked President Yayi Boni for the invitation, and commended Benin , the World Health Organisation and other partners, for the organisation of the conference, and promised that Ghana would be “strongly represented”.
Professor Issifou Takpara, Benin’s Minister of Health who led the delegation, told newsmen after the meeting that the five-day conference, scheduled to start on March 30, was part of an international initiative to focus more attention on controlling the disease.
The Benin conference a follow up to the first conference held in July, 1998 in Côte d'Ivoire, is expected to be attended by hundreds of delegations from endemic countries, development partners, policy makers, scientists and representatives of civil society groups.
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
President John Evans Atta Mills has expressed the government’s commitment to significantly contribute to the fight against deadly diseases such as Buruli Ulcer on the African continent, and to improve the health conditions of the citizenry.
“Everything that will improve the health of our people is worth supporting,” he told a delegation from Benin that called on him at the Castle, Osu, yesterday.
The team was here to deliver an invitation from Benin’s President, Dr Thomas Yayi Boni, for President Mills to attend to the Second International Conference and Research on ulcers in Cotonou, Benin.
The President noted the debilitating effect of buruli ulcers, especially among the poor in Africa, said Ghana attached importance to the upcoming conference and other initiatives towards eradicating the disease.
He thanked President Yayi Boni for the invitation, and commended Benin , the World Health Organisation and other partners, for the organisation of the conference, and promised that Ghana would be “strongly represented”.
Professor Issifou Takpara, Benin’s Minister of Health who led the delegation, told newsmen after the meeting that the five-day conference, scheduled to start on March 30, was part of an international initiative to focus more attention on controlling the disease.
The Benin conference a follow up to the first conference held in July, 1998 in Côte d'Ivoire, is expected to be attended by hundreds of delegations from endemic countries, development partners, policy makers, scientists and representatives of civil society groups.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Stanbic Votes $100m To Support Agric
By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
Ghana is to benefit from a 100 million dollar agricultural financing scheme being supported by the Standard Bank Group and other partners as part of efforts to modernise the agricultural sector in the country.
Jacko Maree, Chief Executive of the group, the largest bank in Africa, who informed President John Evans Atta Mills during a courtesy call at the Castle, Osu, yesterday, said the facility was part of the bank’s programme to support the revamping of the agricultural industries in Africa.
A Memorandum of Understanding for Ghanaian farmers and agro-processing enterprises to benefit from the financing scheme would be signed today.
The facility, which is a collaborative programme among the bank, the Kofi Annan Alliance for Green Evolution in Africa, the Millennium Challenge Account and the Rocky Fella Foundation, is a four-nation facility including Tanzania , Uganda and Mozambique
. Mr. Maree did not indicate the criteria for the selection of the four beneficiary countries but said “we want to help the government to support the growth of the agricultural sector.”
In addition, he explained that the bank would be investing in the petro-chemical industry and the agro-processing industry.
“We are proud to be associated with Ghana ,” he said, and commended the country for peaceful election and political transition which has increased the confidence in the country’s economy.
President Mills, in his remarks, lauded the financial intervention of the bank and its partners, describing it as timely for Ghana .
He reiterated government’s determination to modernise the agriculture sector to increase food production, saying that although the economy was largely dependent on the sector, it has been under-developed.
The President was optimistic that the support would significantly complement government’s efforts at achieving food sufficiency and exports, as well as decreasing the level of food imports.
He commended the bank for the initiative and urged other financial institutions to emulate the intervention to provide viable solutions to financial challenges confronting farmers.
Kwesi Ahwoi, Minister of Food and Agriculture, who accompanied the delegation, said the assistance of the banks fall in line with the government’s agenda of modernising agriculture which was critical for economic growth.
Also at the Castle to see the President was a delegation from Tianshi Health and Business Consultancy, producers of herbal supplements, who briefed the President about the operations of the company.
John Gasper Annan, Country Director of the Company, with its headquarters in China , called for government’s assistance to enable the company establish a local production factory and a supermarket in Ghana.
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
Ghana is to benefit from a 100 million dollar agricultural financing scheme being supported by the Standard Bank Group and other partners as part of efforts to modernise the agricultural sector in the country.
Jacko Maree, Chief Executive of the group, the largest bank in Africa, who informed President John Evans Atta Mills during a courtesy call at the Castle, Osu, yesterday, said the facility was part of the bank’s programme to support the revamping of the agricultural industries in Africa.
A Memorandum of Understanding for Ghanaian farmers and agro-processing enterprises to benefit from the financing scheme would be signed today.
The facility, which is a collaborative programme among the bank, the Kofi Annan Alliance for Green Evolution in Africa, the Millennium Challenge Account and the Rocky Fella Foundation, is a four-nation facility including Tanzania , Uganda and Mozambique
. Mr. Maree did not indicate the criteria for the selection of the four beneficiary countries but said “we want to help the government to support the growth of the agricultural sector.”
In addition, he explained that the bank would be investing in the petro-chemical industry and the agro-processing industry.
“We are proud to be associated with Ghana ,” he said, and commended the country for peaceful election and political transition which has increased the confidence in the country’s economy.
President Mills, in his remarks, lauded the financial intervention of the bank and its partners, describing it as timely for Ghana .
He reiterated government’s determination to modernise the agriculture sector to increase food production, saying that although the economy was largely dependent on the sector, it has been under-developed.
The President was optimistic that the support would significantly complement government’s efforts at achieving food sufficiency and exports, as well as decreasing the level of food imports.
He commended the bank for the initiative and urged other financial institutions to emulate the intervention to provide viable solutions to financial challenges confronting farmers.
Kwesi Ahwoi, Minister of Food and Agriculture, who accompanied the delegation, said the assistance of the banks fall in line with the government’s agenda of modernising agriculture which was critical for economic growth.
Also at the Castle to see the President was a delegation from Tianshi Health and Business Consultancy, producers of herbal supplements, who briefed the President about the operations of the company.
John Gasper Annan, Country Director of the Company, with its headquarters in China , called for government’s assistance to enable the company establish a local production factory and a supermarket in Ghana.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
GE here to explore investment opportunities
By Edmund Mingle
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
A delegation from General Electric (GE), a multinational business entity investing in various fields, yesterday called on President John Evans Atta Mills, at the Castle, Osu in Accra, with the aim of finding which areas the company could invest to support the government’s economic drive.
According to the company, the recent peaceful political transition, coupled with country’s economic prospects, have given them an incredible confidence and faith in the Ghanaian economy.
Lazarus Angbazo, President and Chief Executive Officer (Sub-Sahara Africa) of GE, who led a delegation to the Castle, told the President that “we are happy about the prospects and how we can work together.”
He did not say which areas of the economy the company would be immediately investing in but said informed the President that GE has appreciable investments in the energy, health infrastructure, oil and gas, aviation and railway sectors among others.
He explained that the meeting was to afford the company the opportunity to know where the government would want to have the company’s investment in line with the government’s goals.
GE’s desire to invest in Ghana, he said was part of the company’s programme to focus more on investing in emerging markets, especially in Africa.
President Mills, in his remarks, described the visit as timely since it came at a time the government was getting started with programmes and investment initiatives towards creating jobs and building the necessary infrastructure for socio-economic development.
He welcomed the investment by GE and assured them of government’s support by creating a friendly business environment through removing all bottlenecks.
As government provides a good environment for them to invest, he reminded them as well as all investors of the need for them work within the legal framework in the country.
President Mills reiterated the government’s determination to be transparent in its dealings, adding that his administration wanted to ensure that the masses benefited from the resources of the country.
General Electric develops, manufactures, and markets a wide variety of products for the generation, transmission, distribution, control and utilization of electricity and provides a wide array of products such as aircraft engines, electronic appliances (kitchen and laundry appliances), industrial products and systems (lighting, electrical distribution, and control equipment), and materials (plastics, silicones, laminates, and abrasives).
In addition, GE, which is currently operating in 160 countries across the globe, offers a broad array of financial services including consumer, commercial, and industrial financing.
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
A delegation from General Electric (GE), a multinational business entity investing in various fields, yesterday called on President John Evans Atta Mills, at the Castle, Osu in Accra, with the aim of finding which areas the company could invest to support the government’s economic drive.
According to the company, the recent peaceful political transition, coupled with country’s economic prospects, have given them an incredible confidence and faith in the Ghanaian economy.
Lazarus Angbazo, President and Chief Executive Officer (Sub-Sahara Africa) of GE, who led a delegation to the Castle, told the President that “we are happy about the prospects and how we can work together.”
He did not say which areas of the economy the company would be immediately investing in but said informed the President that GE has appreciable investments in the energy, health infrastructure, oil and gas, aviation and railway sectors among others.
He explained that the meeting was to afford the company the opportunity to know where the government would want to have the company’s investment in line with the government’s goals.
GE’s desire to invest in Ghana, he said was part of the company’s programme to focus more on investing in emerging markets, especially in Africa.
President Mills, in his remarks, described the visit as timely since it came at a time the government was getting started with programmes and investment initiatives towards creating jobs and building the necessary infrastructure for socio-economic development.
He welcomed the investment by GE and assured them of government’s support by creating a friendly business environment through removing all bottlenecks.
As government provides a good environment for them to invest, he reminded them as well as all investors of the need for them work within the legal framework in the country.
President Mills reiterated the government’s determination to be transparent in its dealings, adding that his administration wanted to ensure that the masses benefited from the resources of the country.
General Electric develops, manufactures, and markets a wide variety of products for the generation, transmission, distribution, control and utilization of electricity and provides a wide array of products such as aircraft engines, electronic appliances (kitchen and laundry appliances), industrial products and systems (lighting, electrical distribution, and control equipment), and materials (plastics, silicones, laminates, and abrasives).
In addition, GE, which is currently operating in 160 countries across the globe, offers a broad array of financial services including consumer, commercial, and industrial financing.
First batch deputy Ministers sworn in
By Edmund Mingle
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
The President, John Evans Atta Mills yesterday swore into office the first batch of five deputy Ministers with a charge to them to work for the good of the country.
Also sworn in were three Ministers of State at the Presidency
The deputy Ministers are Mrs. Elizabeth Amoah-Tetteh and Dr. Joseph Annan, both for Education, Dr Kwabena Donkor and Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, both for Energy, and Seth Emmanuel Terkper for Finance.
Those sworn in as Ministers of State at the Presidency are Alhaji Seidu Amadu, Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo and Kwajo Tawiah Likpalimor.
President Mills, after swearing them in at the Castle, Osu in Accra, admonished the deputy ministers against undermining their Ministers, and rather assist them to undertake the mandates of the respective Ministries.
He said the credit would go to the deputy ministers as well if their Ministers were able to achieve their goals, saying “we are here to work as a team.”
President Mills also cautioned the Ministers of State against abuse of office.
He said the fact that they would be operating from the Castle, does not make them superior over other Ministers working outside the Castle, and therefore urged them to collaborate and work together towards advancing the welfare of Ghanaians.
The President reiterated the need for them to be humble and honest, reminding them that being a Minister was not a right but a privilege which they should take advantage of to promote the welfare of the people in accordance with the mission and vision of the government.
Brigadier-General (Rtd) Nunoo Mensah, National Security Advisor, sharing his experience with the ministers, asked them to be focused on addressing the problems of poverty confronting the lot of Ghanaians, and to avoid the temptation of amassing wealth.
Alhaji Seidu Amadu, speaking on behalf of his colleagues, thanked the President for the opportunity offered them to serve in his administration.
“We shall do all that is possible to in our individual capabilities and collective responsibility to assist you to achieve your goal of building a better Ghana,” he said.
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
The President, John Evans Atta Mills yesterday swore into office the first batch of five deputy Ministers with a charge to them to work for the good of the country.
Also sworn in were three Ministers of State at the Presidency
The deputy Ministers are Mrs. Elizabeth Amoah-Tetteh and Dr. Joseph Annan, both for Education, Dr Kwabena Donkor and Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, both for Energy, and Seth Emmanuel Terkper for Finance.
Those sworn in as Ministers of State at the Presidency are Alhaji Seidu Amadu, Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo and Kwajo Tawiah Likpalimor.
President Mills, after swearing them in at the Castle, Osu in Accra, admonished the deputy ministers against undermining their Ministers, and rather assist them to undertake the mandates of the respective Ministries.
He said the credit would go to the deputy ministers as well if their Ministers were able to achieve their goals, saying “we are here to work as a team.”
President Mills also cautioned the Ministers of State against abuse of office.
He said the fact that they would be operating from the Castle, does not make them superior over other Ministers working outside the Castle, and therefore urged them to collaborate and work together towards advancing the welfare of Ghanaians.
The President reiterated the need for them to be humble and honest, reminding them that being a Minister was not a right but a privilege which they should take advantage of to promote the welfare of the people in accordance with the mission and vision of the government.
Brigadier-General (Rtd) Nunoo Mensah, National Security Advisor, sharing his experience with the ministers, asked them to be focused on addressing the problems of poverty confronting the lot of Ghanaians, and to avoid the temptation of amassing wealth.
Alhaji Seidu Amadu, speaking on behalf of his colleagues, thanked the President for the opportunity offered them to serve in his administration.
“We shall do all that is possible to in our individual capabilities and collective responsibility to assist you to achieve your goal of building a better Ghana,” he said.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Mumuni accuses NDC of leaving him in the lurch
By Edmund Mingle
Monday,16 March 2009
Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has criticized the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) for not going to his aid when he encountered accusations of corruption from the opposition New Patriotic Party during his recent Parliamentary vetting before becoming minister.The Minister, who sounded very bitter as he made his grievance known during a retreat of Ministers and Deputy Ministers at GIMPA in Accra on Saturday, said he expected his party to have intervened in the matter.He said he considered himself a captive in the diabolic scheme of the NPP. "I was all alone and had to fight them all by myself," he said at the retreat, which some believe was not the right platform to address party issues.The Minority side of the Vetting Committee in Parliament maintained during his vetting that Alhaji Mumuni had corruption charges to answer, citing alleged misapplication of funds in an audit report relating to the operations of the NVTI when he was Minister of Employment and Social Welfare in the previous NDC administration.Alhaji Mumuni maintained his innocence and indicated that there was no such audit report in existence. He also explained that no such report had ever been sent to Parliament.Consequently, the Minority side boycotted his vetting and objected to him becoming a Minister, but Alhaji Mumuni sailed through with a majority vote.What may have broken Alhaji Mumuni’s heart, according to him was the fact that some of the leading members of the NDC secretly supported the action by the NPP.The Minister poured out his feelings, saying that although he was not indicting his party, he expected the NDC to have come to his rescue during the tough times.President Mills, responding, told the retreat that he, together with other leading members, met Alhaji Mumuni to discuss the issue for solutions.Although he did not hold brief for the party, he said he felt that he and the other members of government who met the Minister were also members of the party who have found themselves in government, and therefore Alhaji Mumuni could have considered it as an intervention by the party.Responding also to a call by Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Communication on the need for the government to carry out its promises especially those which they said would be done in the first l00 days, such as the Freedom of Information Bill, President Mills gave the assurance that “we will do all things possible to fulfill the promises."
Source:Ghanaian Times
Source:Ghanaian Times
4,737 Graduate At Legon 2009 Congregation
By Edmund Mingle & Kingsley AsareMonday, 16 March 2009
A total of 4,737 students graduated in various fields of study from the University of Ghana, Legon at the 2009 Congregation on Saturday.
The number consisted of 351 diplomates, 4,135 undergraduates and 251 post graduates which included four doctoral graduates.
Mrs. Elizabeth Mills-Robertson, the acting Inspector General of Police, was among the graduates, graduating in Executive Master of Business Administration (Human Resource Management).
Speaking at the ceremony, President John Evans Atta Mills gave the assurance that the government would commit more resources towards providing quality tertiary education in the country.
He reiterated that there was no better way of investing in people than to give them quality education, and in providing quality education, "the cycle will never be complete minus quality tertiary education.
He maintained that the government, with its social democratic background, did not believe in full cost recovery at the tertiary level pointing out that tertiary education was critical in developing skilled human resource, as well as building research centres to advance the growth of all sectors of the economy.
"Indeed, the training, research, extension, and service functions of the university are intertwined and collectively significant for our national development and my administration will ensure that, to the extent possible, adequate financial and material resources are provided to optimally support tertiary education and research," he said.
President Mills gave the assurance that the government would improve the education sector by addressing the management inefficiencies and bottlenecks that affect equity and quality in the educational system.
"We will also critically examine the utilisation practices and processes of the GETFund, to improve efficiency and ensure that the fund is used for its stipulated objectives," he said.
He commended the university, where he had taught for over two decades, for the leadership role it continued to play in the provision of tertiary education in Ghana and beyond, and pledged the government’s support to undertake infrastructural projects in the university in a timely manner.
Education, he said, was on top of government’s priority list as it forges ahead in building a better Ghana, adding that the working conditions for teachers would be significantly improved.
"Government believes teachers deserve better than we have given them as a nation, and my administration is working hard to ensure that educators from primary school to university are given their due," he said.
He congratulated the graduating students on their achievements, and urged them to "position themselves properly and positively so that their full potentials could be tapped," and promised to do his best to give more opportunities to the youth.
Dr. Kofi Annan ,Chancellor of the University of Ghana, in his remarks, called for increased investment in education so as to provide quality education to the citizens.
Dr. Annan, who was the immediate Secretary-General of the United Nations, said it was pleasing that the President in his state of the nation address singled out the education sector for special attention and as well pleasing that most Ghanaians, irrespective of their political persuasion, had agreed that the surest path to development for the nation was through education.
He commended the university for the role it was playing to give quality tertiary education to majority of people and supplying the highest level of manpower of the country.
"By this record, University of Ghana has earned an enviable place in the league of universities in Africa and is recognised worldwide," he said, and added that he was proud to be its Chancellor.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Clifford Nii Boi Tagoe, in his report, called on the government to expedite action on the passage of the University of Ghana Act, to enable "us see the full impact of the Visitation Panel Report," which he said, could not be implemented due to the non-passage of the University of Ghana Act.
The Visitation Report outlines the revised composition of the University Council, student representation on key statutory boards and committees, as well as restructuring of the university’s financial administration.
Professor Tagoe said to bring university education to the doorsteps of the citizens, the university had introduced Distance Education Programme and said the response had been positive.
The Distance Education Programme was a viable alternative means to people desirous of pursuing university education, he said, adding its introduction meant that "we are now able to offer a much larger number of young people the opportunity to access university education."
Professor Tagoe announced that approval had been given for the establishment of a Ghana Cocoa Board Chair, a programme to promote education in agriculture.
He said the Board has provided 500,000 dollars for the start of an endowment fund for the programme which is expected to begin in August, this year.
On infrastructure, the Vice-Chancellor appealed to the government and corporate bodies to help the univserty to complete on-going projects and initiate new ones.
Emmanuel Nii-Boye Quarshie, representative of the graduating students, entreated his colleagues to work with truth and integrity wherever they found themselves.
He also advised them to volunteer their skills, knowledge and strength to help transform the society.
President Joins Muslims To Celebrate "Muahiale"
By Edmund Mingle
Monday, 16 March 2009
President John Evans Atta Mills on Friday joined Muslims at the National Chief Imam’s residence in Accra, to celebrate the birth of Prophet Mohammed, which is being observed throughout this month by the Islamic community across the world.
The event, known as "Muahiale," is used to thank God for creating Prophet Mohammed and inspiring him to produce the Quran some 1,400 years ago, which has become the guide to Muslims.
Addressing the gathering President Mills acknowledged the significance of the event and said he chose to join them for the celebration because "we are all children of Allah."
He wished the Muslim community in Ghana well as they mark the birthday of the Holy Prophet, and urged them to let the day remind them of the need to seek the intervention of Allah at all times.
He also encouraged Muslims to continue to pray for God’s abundant blessing for the country, and the wisdom to do what was right.
President Mills presented 30 cartons of soft drinks and GHc2,000 to the Chief Imam as the governemnt’s support for the feast.
Sheikh Sharabutu, speaking through his spokesman, thanked the President for the honour and assured him of their support.
He was confident that with prayers and the blessings of Allah, the country would progress.
Monday, 16 March 2009
President John Evans Atta Mills on Friday joined Muslims at the National Chief Imam’s residence in Accra, to celebrate the birth of Prophet Mohammed, which is being observed throughout this month by the Islamic community across the world.
The event, known as "Muahiale," is used to thank God for creating Prophet Mohammed and inspiring him to produce the Quran some 1,400 years ago, which has become the guide to Muslims.
Addressing the gathering President Mills acknowledged the significance of the event and said he chose to join them for the celebration because "we are all children of Allah."
He wished the Muslim community in Ghana well as they mark the birthday of the Holy Prophet, and urged them to let the day remind them of the need to seek the intervention of Allah at all times.
He also encouraged Muslims to continue to pray for God’s abundant blessing for the country, and the wisdom to do what was right.
President Mills presented 30 cartons of soft drinks and GHc2,000 to the Chief Imam as the governemnt’s support for the feast.
Sheikh Sharabutu, speaking through his spokesman, thanked the President for the honour and assured him of their support.
He was confident that with prayers and the blessings of Allah, the country would progress.
Solution To Plastic Waste Menace In Sight
By Edmund Mingle
Monday, 16 March 2009
Three days after the Vice President’s hint of a possible ban on plastic production if the plastic waste menace was not checked, the plastic producers in the country have responded with a solution.
They have brought into the country, scientific and plastic waste management experts from the United Kingdom with a plastic degradable technology that could help solve the county’s plastic waste management problems.
Last Friday, the Ghana Plastic Manufacturers Association led the plastic waste management experts from the United Kingdom to the Castle, Osu, to introduce the technology to the Vice President, John Dramani Mahama.
Ebo E. Botwe, president of the association, informed the Vice President that the producers had been equally worried about the menace and had been finding short and long term solutions to it.
The producers, he said, successfully found the technology in the UK talking to experts in South Africa and Israel , adding that the technology had been found to be working well in a number of countries.
John James, Export Manager from Wells Plastics Limited in the UK , explaining the technology, said it involved the use of chemicals that degrade plastic after its life cycle.
The chemical, he said, could be applied to plastic waste or added to it during production which could destroy it after its lifecycle.
The chemical, he said, degrades the waste plastic much faster in heat, adding that it was suitable for the climatic condition in the country.
"We think this technology can help a great deal," he said, indicating that the chemical which is environmentally friendly could degrade plastic fully between three to six months.
The Vice President commended the association for the effort in getting a solution to the plastic waste management problem and asked that the technology be started on a pilot basis for government to assess its efficacy.
"If it does work, government would not hesitate to pass legislation to its use in the production of plastics," he said.
The Vice President, speaking at national forum on sanitation in Accra last Tuesday, warned that government would consider banning the production and use of plastic bags if the producers did not find a viable solution to effectively manage plastic waste.
Monday, 16 March 2009
Three days after the Vice President’s hint of a possible ban on plastic production if the plastic waste menace was not checked, the plastic producers in the country have responded with a solution.
They have brought into the country, scientific and plastic waste management experts from the United Kingdom with a plastic degradable technology that could help solve the county’s plastic waste management problems.
Last Friday, the Ghana Plastic Manufacturers Association led the plastic waste management experts from the United Kingdom to the Castle, Osu, to introduce the technology to the Vice President, John Dramani Mahama.
Ebo E. Botwe, president of the association, informed the Vice President that the producers had been equally worried about the menace and had been finding short and long term solutions to it.
The producers, he said, successfully found the technology in the UK talking to experts in South Africa and Israel , adding that the technology had been found to be working well in a number of countries.
John James, Export Manager from Wells Plastics Limited in the UK , explaining the technology, said it involved the use of chemicals that degrade plastic after its life cycle.
The chemical, he said, could be applied to plastic waste or added to it during production which could destroy it after its lifecycle.
The chemical, he said, degrades the waste plastic much faster in heat, adding that it was suitable for the climatic condition in the country.
"We think this technology can help a great deal," he said, indicating that the chemical which is environmentally friendly could degrade plastic fully between three to six months.
The Vice President commended the association for the effort in getting a solution to the plastic waste management problem and asked that the technology be started on a pilot basis for government to assess its efficacy.
"If it does work, government would not hesitate to pass legislation to its use in the production of plastics," he said.
The Vice President, speaking at national forum on sanitation in Accra last Tuesday, warned that government would consider banning the production and use of plastic bags if the producers did not find a viable solution to effectively manage plastic waste.
Friday, March 13, 2009
North America NDC confers with Veep
By Edmund Mingle Friday, 13 March 2009
The North American Branch of the ruling National Democratic Congress has urged the government to do well to create a more congenial business environment to attract more investments into the country, especially from North America.
The branch also wants security to be improved to give an assurance to investors who intend to direct their resources to Ghana of their security against criminals.
Cobby Boahene, Chairman of the North American Coordinating Council of the NDC, said these when he led a delegation of executives of the branch which also cover Canada, to call on the Vice President, John Dramani Mahama at the Castle Osu in Accra.
Mr. Boahene, said many Ghanaians in North America were happy about the economic and political progress of the country, and were desirous of bringing investments to Ghana but were worried about the bottlenecks in the business sector, and also not sure of their security.
In addition, he said Ghanaians in North America wish that Ghana could establish a Consulate in Chicago to easily cater for their welfare as well as facilitate their investments into Ghana.
He congratulated the Vice President on his assumption of office, and promised the branch would be supportive of the government to address the socio-economic challenges confronting the citizenry.
Vice President Mahama, responding to the concerns of the branch, commended gave the assurance that many initiative were being undertaken to enhance security, adding that the police would be equipped to prevent and fight crime more effectively.
With regard to the business sector, he said the government was aware of the bureaucratic system which has been unhelpful, and therefore gave the assurance that such hindrances would be removed to ensure smooth investment processes.
He commended the group for their support to attract investments for Ghana, and urged them to focus more on joint ventures with local enterprises.
He also advised them to consider directing their investments into the agriculture sector as a way of supporting the development of that sector where over 60 per cent on Ghanaian population is engaged in.
“What better way to reduce poverty than to invest in agriculture,” he said.
The branch also wants security to be improved to give an assurance to investors who intend to direct their resources to Ghana of their security against criminals.
Cobby Boahene, Chairman of the North American Coordinating Council of the NDC, said these when he led a delegation of executives of the branch which also cover Canada, to call on the Vice President, John Dramani Mahama at the Castle Osu in Accra.
Mr. Boahene, said many Ghanaians in North America were happy about the economic and political progress of the country, and were desirous of bringing investments to Ghana but were worried about the bottlenecks in the business sector, and also not sure of their security.
In addition, he said Ghanaians in North America wish that Ghana could establish a Consulate in Chicago to easily cater for their welfare as well as facilitate their investments into Ghana.
He congratulated the Vice President on his assumption of office, and promised the branch would be supportive of the government to address the socio-economic challenges confronting the citizenry.
Vice President Mahama, responding to the concerns of the branch, commended gave the assurance that many initiative were being undertaken to enhance security, adding that the police would be equipped to prevent and fight crime more effectively.
With regard to the business sector, he said the government was aware of the bureaucratic system which has been unhelpful, and therefore gave the assurance that such hindrances would be removed to ensure smooth investment processes.
He commended the group for their support to attract investments for Ghana, and urged them to focus more on joint ventures with local enterprises.
He also advised them to consider directing their investments into the agriculture sector as a way of supporting the development of that sector where over 60 per cent on Ghanaian population is engaged in.
“What better way to reduce poverty than to invest in agriculture,” he said.
I wish Ghana were a prayer camp
By Edmund Mingle
Friday, 13 March 2009
Friday, 13 March 2009 The President, John Evan Atta Mills yesterday reacted to criticisms that he has turned the Castle, the seat of government into a “prayer camp,” saying “I have no apologies and regrets to offer.”
Determined to place God first in the affairs of his administration, he said he wished that the whole Ghana turned into a prayer camp.
Speaking during a courtesy call on him by the leadership of the Ghana Pentecostal Council, a grouping of Pentecostal and Charismatic churches in Ghana, at the Castle, Osu in Accra, President Mills stressed the need for Ghanaians to continue to seek the face of God at all times.
He said the country was being sustained by divine providence through prayers, stressing that he did not see why he should not associate himself with religious people who preach peace, honesty, fear of God and love for one another, which are required for a peaceful and successful society.
“Such men of God are allies who could support the success of his administration and the progress of the nation through their intercession,” he stated.
President Mills urged the delegation led by the Council’s President, Apostle John Annan Allotey, that to continue to pray for the government for divine direction and guidance to effectively lead the nation, saying that “where a building is not on solid foundation, it crumbles.”
He commended the Council and the religious community in genera for the intercessions which took the country through the December elections successfully, saying their contribution to the elections yielded results.
President Mills, who has had visits from the leadership of various Christian and Islamic groups since assuming office, recently proposed an annual national prayer and thanks giving day to be observed on the every last Friday in January for Muslims and first Sunday in February for Christians.
Apostle Adotey, in his remarks, lauded the President faith in God and promised that he could count on the full support of the Council.
He said apart from the prayers that would be continuously offered for the government, “we will educate our constituents to understand government policies to ensure their success.”
The Council, he assured, would use the same vim with which they prayer for the nation before the election, to pray for the government “so that you will have a peaceful and successful tenure.”
Apostle Adotey presented a large Bible he described a full of wisdom and blessings to the President, and asked him to consult it anytime he was faced with challenges, irrespective of the fact that the President had a number of Bibles already.
As part of the visit a special prayer was offered for God’s guidance and favour for the Presidency and the nation.
Determined to place God first in the affairs of his administration, he said he wished that the whole Ghana turned into a prayer camp.
Speaking during a courtesy call on him by the leadership of the Ghana Pentecostal Council, a grouping of Pentecostal and Charismatic churches in Ghana, at the Castle, Osu in Accra, President Mills stressed the need for Ghanaians to continue to seek the face of God at all times.
He said the country was being sustained by divine providence through prayers, stressing that he did not see why he should not associate himself with religious people who preach peace, honesty, fear of God and love for one another, which are required for a peaceful and successful society.
“Such men of God are allies who could support the success of his administration and the progress of the nation through their intercession,” he stated.
President Mills urged the delegation led by the Council’s President, Apostle John Annan Allotey, that to continue to pray for the government for divine direction and guidance to effectively lead the nation, saying that “where a building is not on solid foundation, it crumbles.”
He commended the Council and the religious community in genera for the intercessions which took the country through the December elections successfully, saying their contribution to the elections yielded results.
President Mills, who has had visits from the leadership of various Christian and Islamic groups since assuming office, recently proposed an annual national prayer and thanks giving day to be observed on the every last Friday in January for Muslims and first Sunday in February for Christians.
Apostle Adotey, in his remarks, lauded the President faith in God and promised that he could count on the full support of the Council.
He said apart from the prayers that would be continuously offered for the government, “we will educate our constituents to understand government policies to ensure their success.”
The Council, he assured, would use the same vim with which they prayer for the nation before the election, to pray for the government “so that you will have a peaceful and successful tenure.”
Apostle Adotey presented a large Bible he described a full of wisdom and blessings to the President, and asked him to consult it anytime he was faced with challenges, irrespective of the fact that the President had a number of Bibles already.
As part of the visit a special prayer was offered for God’s guidance and favour for the Presidency and the nation.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
World Bank cautions on use of oil money
By Edmund MingleThursday, 12 March 2009
The World Bank has cautioned Ghana against mismanagement of its oil revenue which could adversely affect the country’s economy.
Ms. Obiageh Ezekwesili, World Bank Vice President for Africa, in a meeting with President Mills at the Castle, Osu in Accra on Wednesday, said that in view of the global financial crisis, which was affecting economies, developing economies needed to manage their resources in a manner that could reduce the impact of the crisis.
Discussions of an oil rich Ghana, she said, had become relevant because of the need to ensure that it impacted positively on the citizenry.
Ms. Ezekwesili, who is visiting Ghana as a way of striking a relationship between the Bank and the new administration, stressed that dealing with the effects of the financial crisis "is going to be really critical" for developing countries like Ghana which is already contending with a fiscal imbalance.
She was, however, glad that the national budget had been developed in a way to deal with the country's economic challenges.
She urged the government to focus more on investing in agriculture which, according to her, has three times the potential to tackle poverty.
Ms. Ezekwesili, who has been meeting the Finance and Agriculture Ministers, heads of financial institutions and other groups as part of her visit, pledged the bank’s continued assistance to enable the country to close its financial gaps.
President Mills, in his remarks, said the government was fully aware of the economic challenges and was instituting adequate measures to address them.
He said the government had a holistic view of the economy, adding that "although the picture is not as rosy as we were made to believe, we have to do everything possible to get things right.In addition he said his administration had taken cognisance of the effects of the global financial crisis and was accordingly factoring the challenges into the government's economic planning.
He gave the assurance that the government would avoid taking desperate measures, saying it would focus on taking the right measures to deal with the socio-economic challenges.
He thanked the World Bank for the support it has advanced to Ghana over the years "which has helped us to chart a course for ourselves," and assured the bank of openness.
President Mills was of the view that the country could only get the needed support from its development partners when it was truthful and transparent in its dealings with them .
“Given the co-operation from all our partners, we should be able to weather the storm,” he said.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Ghana To Develop Ties With Comoros
By Edmund MingleThursday, 05 March 2009
The government is desirous to develop ties with the Comoros Islands to enable the two countries to explore opportunities in each other’s spatial economy.
Vice-President John Mahama, said this at a meeting with a delegation from the Comoros Island at the Castle, Osu yesterday.
He said the two countries could work effectively together on issues of infrastructural development, African unity and integration.
The delegation was led by a special envoy of the Comoros Island, Abdel Munim, who delivered a special message from the President of the Comoros Islands.
The Comoros Islands, known as the Union of the Comoros, is a group of three African islands located off the eastern coast of Africa near Madagascar and northeastern Mozambique
It is a highly patronised tourist destination, with a population of about 900,000 and a major exporter of copra, vanilla and perfume.
Vice President Mahama recalled interacting with the Vice President of the Union of the Comoros, Idi Nadhoim, at the last African Union summit in Addis Ababa, and lauded the interest of the Union for rapid African integration for enhanced economic benefits.
“We will do everything possible to strengthen the ties between us since both countries stand to gain,” he said.
Saied Fakhry, Honorary Consul to the Union of the Comoros in Ghana, said the island nation was committed to strengthening bilateral relationship with Ghana.
Through that, he said, business opportunities could be promoted.
Veep Bemoans Poor Reading By Youth
By Edmund MingleWednesday, 04 March 2009
Vice President John Dramani Mahama yesterday launched a book titled, “Letter to Jomo,” a compilation of humourous feature articles by George Sydney Abugri, a renowned columnist, and bemoaned the poor reading culture of Ghanaians.
He said reading culture especially among the youth continued to deteriorate, and attributed this to the crave among for foreign music and films introduced by the information and communication industry, instead of books from which much more knowledge could be obtained.
The situation, he said, had culminated in the poor performance of students, because “you cannot gain knowledge without reading.”
“Apart from the knowledge people can gain through reading, the economics of scale will work to the benefit of publishers if more people read,” he said.
Vice President Mahama described the author as “a much-loved writer whose writing skill, discipline and commitment to his work had contributed to the development of the literary industry.”
The 375-page book is a collection of 100 out of over 1,000 feature articles published by Mr Abugri in his Friday column in the Daily Graphic since 1993.
The Vice President commended Mr. Abugri for his style of examining serious national issues with humour, yet enabling readers to get the wisdom in his message, and noted that he had used his talent to the benefit of the nation.
He urged the author and editors to identify and nurture the talents of feature writing in young journalists in order to groom a generation of feature writers to inherit the likes of Mr. Abugri.
He assured the publishing industry and the media in general of government’s support, but reminded the media of the need to be circumspect and responsible so as not to abuse the freedom of the press.
The Vice President bought the first copy on auction for GH¢500.
Mr. Abugri, a journalist, said he found it necessary to compile the articles to serve as a source for research in journalism schools as well as for pleasure.
He said the publishing of the book took him through challenges, such as the high taxes, access to funding 25 per cent advance payment on the sale of books to bookshops, which publishers encounter and which hinder the development of the publishing industry.
Mr. Abugri, therefore called for the introduction of a National Book Development Policy to effectively address these challenges.
US Military Command Seeks Enhanced Ties With GAF
By Edmund MingleWednesday, 04 March 2009
A delegation from the United States Military Command for Africa yesterday met with President J.E.A. Mills at the Castle, Osu to find ways of enhancing cooperation between the Command and the Ghana Armed Forces.
The delegation, led by Mrs. Mary Carlin Yates, Deputy Commander for Civil Activity of the US Military Africa Command, said they were impressed about the country’s recent peaceful general election and the growth of democracy.
President Mills thanked the US government and others who worked behind the scenes to ensure that democracy gained root in Ghana.
He acknowledged the high level of democracy and governance practised in the US, and noted that Ghana was learning from such democratic societies to improve her governance system.
President Mills assured the delegation of the government’s commitment to strengthening the democratic dispensation and good governance through operating an accountable and open society where equal opportunities exist for all the citizens.
He said democracy was the choice of Ghanaians, and any government that did not promote democracy did so at its own risk, “because the people have the final say.”
“Governments go and governments come, but the most important thing is that they do not abuse the confidence reposed in them by the people,” he said.
The President praised Mrs. Yates, a former US Ambassador to Ghana from 2002 to 2005, for her contribution to the country’s socio-economic growth during her working tour in Ghana, saying “you are welcome back to a new Ghana .”
Mrs. Yates, congratulated President Mills on his election, and commended Ghanaians for a peaceful transition.
She described Ghana as “a model for democracy in Africa which other countries, troubled by political conflicts, should emulate.”
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Veep Gives Thanks
By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 04 March 2009
The Assemblies of God Church on Sunday, held a thanksgiving service for Vice- President John Dramani Mahama with a charge for him to diligently serve the nation.
The service, hosted by the Ringway branch of the church where he worships, was also to pray for divine guidance for a successful tenure in office.
Mr. Mahama was accompanied to the service by his wife, Lordina, Chief Justice Georgina Wood, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, his family members and friends.
The General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church, Reverend William W. Dontoh, in his sermon, urged the Vice President to be guided by ethical and professional standards and to shun coveteousness and corruption.
He also advised him to remain a true servant of God as well as a good leader who would not allow undue pressure from selfish individuals and political expediency to force him to compromise the truth.
Rev. Ernest K. Agyei, the host pastor, reminded Mr Mahama to consider his position in government as a calling by God to serve Ghanaians.
Mr Mahama, in his remarks, gave praise to God, saying the victory of the National Democractic Congress was the making of God’s to whom be the glory.
“We are there for a purpose, and that purpose is to serve,” he said, adding that he had confidence in the President, whom he described as “a man of faith”.
Mr. Mahama called on the church to support the government with prayers, and gave the assurance that he would serve the nation to the best of his ability.
Wednesday, 04 March 2009
The Assemblies of God Church on Sunday, held a thanksgiving service for Vice- President John Dramani Mahama with a charge for him to diligently serve the nation.
The service, hosted by the Ringway branch of the church where he worships, was also to pray for divine guidance for a successful tenure in office.
Mr. Mahama was accompanied to the service by his wife, Lordina, Chief Justice Georgina Wood, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, his family members and friends.
The General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church, Reverend William W. Dontoh, in his sermon, urged the Vice President to be guided by ethical and professional standards and to shun coveteousness and corruption.
He also advised him to remain a true servant of God as well as a good leader who would not allow undue pressure from selfish individuals and political expediency to force him to compromise the truth.
Rev. Ernest K. Agyei, the host pastor, reminded Mr Mahama to consider his position in government as a calling by God to serve Ghanaians.
Mr Mahama, in his remarks, gave praise to God, saying the victory of the National Democractic Congress was the making of God’s to whom be the glory.
“We are there for a purpose, and that purpose is to serve,” he said, adding that he had confidence in the President, whom he described as “a man of faith”.
Mr. Mahama called on the church to support the government with prayers, and gave the assurance that he would serve the nation to the best of his ability.
Veep Bemoans Poor Reading By Youth
By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 04 March 2009
Vice President John Dramani Mahama yesterday launched a book titled, “Letter to Jomo,” a compilation of humourous feature articles by George Sydney Abugri, a renowned columnist, and bemoaned the poor reading culture of Ghanaians.
He said reading culture especially among the youth continued to deteriorate, and attributed this to the crave among for foreign music and films introduced by the information and communication industry, instead of books from which much more knowledge could be obtained.
The situation, he said, had culminated in the poor performance of students, because “you cannot gain knowledge without reading.”
“Apart from the knowledge people can gain through reading, the economics of scale will work to the benefit of publishers if more people read,” he said.
Vice President Mahama described the author as “a much-loved writer whose writing skill, discipline and commitment to his work had contributed to the development of the literary industry.”
The 375-page book is a collection of 100 out of over 1,000 feature articles published by Mr Abugri in his Friday column in the Daily Graphic since 1993.
The Vice President commended Mr. Abugri for his style of examining serious national issues with humour, yet enabling readers to get the wisdom in his message, and noted that he had used his talent to the benefit of the nation.
He urged the author and editors to identify and nurture the talents of feature writing in young journalists in order to groom a generation of feature writers to inherit the likes of Mr. Abugri.
He assured the publishing industry and the media in general of government’s support, but reminded the media of the need to be circumspect and responsible so as not to abuse the freedom of the press.
The Vice President bought the first copy on auction for GH¢500.
Mr. Abugri, a journalist, said he found it necessary to compile the articles to serve as a source for research in journalism schools as well as for pleasure.
He said the publishing of the book took him through challenges, such as the high taxes, access to funding 25 per cent advance payment on the sale of books to bookshops, which publishers encounter and which hinder the development of the publishing industry.
Mr. Abugri, therefore called for the introduction of a National Book Development Policy to effectively address these challenges.
Wednesday, 04 March 2009
Vice President John Dramani Mahama yesterday launched a book titled, “Letter to Jomo,” a compilation of humourous feature articles by George Sydney Abugri, a renowned columnist, and bemoaned the poor reading culture of Ghanaians.
He said reading culture especially among the youth continued to deteriorate, and attributed this to the crave among for foreign music and films introduced by the information and communication industry, instead of books from which much more knowledge could be obtained.
The situation, he said, had culminated in the poor performance of students, because “you cannot gain knowledge without reading.”
“Apart from the knowledge people can gain through reading, the economics of scale will work to the benefit of publishers if more people read,” he said.
Vice President Mahama described the author as “a much-loved writer whose writing skill, discipline and commitment to his work had contributed to the development of the literary industry.”
The 375-page book is a collection of 100 out of over 1,000 feature articles published by Mr Abugri in his Friday column in the Daily Graphic since 1993.
The Vice President commended Mr. Abugri for his style of examining serious national issues with humour, yet enabling readers to get the wisdom in his message, and noted that he had used his talent to the benefit of the nation.
He urged the author and editors to identify and nurture the talents of feature writing in young journalists in order to groom a generation of feature writers to inherit the likes of Mr. Abugri.
He assured the publishing industry and the media in general of government’s support, but reminded the media of the need to be circumspect and responsible so as not to abuse the freedom of the press.
The Vice President bought the first copy on auction for GH¢500.
Mr. Abugri, a journalist, said he found it necessary to compile the articles to serve as a source for research in journalism schools as well as for pleasure.
He said the publishing of the book took him through challenges, such as the high taxes, access to funding 25 per cent advance payment on the sale of books to bookshops, which publishers encounter and which hinder the development of the publishing industry.
Mr. Abugri, therefore called for the introduction of a National Book Development Policy to effectively address these challenges.
US Military Command Seeks Enhanced Ties With GAF
By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 04 March 2009
A delegation from the United States Military Command for Africa yesterday met with President J.E.A. Mills at the Castle, Osu to find ways of enhancing cooperation between the Command and the Ghana Armed Forces.
The delegation, led by Mrs. Mary Carlin Yates, Deputy Commander for Civil Activity of the US Military Africa Command, said they were impressed about the country’s recent peaceful general election and the growth of democracy.
President Mills thanked the US government and others who worked behind the scenes to ensure that democracy gained root in Ghana.
He acknowledged the high level of democracy and governance practised in the US, and noted that Ghana was learning from such democratic societies to improve her governance system.
President Mills assured the delegation of the government’s commitment to strengthening the democratic dispensation and good governance through operating an accountable and open society where equal opportunities exist for all the citizens.
He said democracy was the choice of Ghanaians, and any government that did not promote democracy did so at its own risk, “because the people have the final say.”
“Governments go and governments come, but the most important thing is that they do not abuse the confidence reposed in them by the people,” he said.
The President praised Mrs. Yates, a former US Ambassador to Ghana from 2002 to 2005, for her contribution to the country’s socio-economic growth during her working tour in Ghana, saying “you are welcome back to a new Ghana .”
Mrs. Yates, congratulated President Mills on his election, and commended Ghanaians for a peaceful transition.
She described Ghana as “a model for democracy in Africa which other countries, troubled by political conflicts, should emulate”.
Wednesday, 04 March 2009
A delegation from the United States Military Command for Africa yesterday met with President J.E.A. Mills at the Castle, Osu to find ways of enhancing cooperation between the Command and the Ghana Armed Forces.
The delegation, led by Mrs. Mary Carlin Yates, Deputy Commander for Civil Activity of the US Military Africa Command, said they were impressed about the country’s recent peaceful general election and the growth of democracy.
President Mills thanked the US government and others who worked behind the scenes to ensure that democracy gained root in Ghana.
He acknowledged the high level of democracy and governance practised in the US, and noted that Ghana was learning from such democratic societies to improve her governance system.
President Mills assured the delegation of the government’s commitment to strengthening the democratic dispensation and good governance through operating an accountable and open society where equal opportunities exist for all the citizens.
He said democracy was the choice of Ghanaians, and any government that did not promote democracy did so at its own risk, “because the people have the final say.”
“Governments go and governments come, but the most important thing is that they do not abuse the confidence reposed in them by the people,” he said.
The President praised Mrs. Yates, a former US Ambassador to Ghana from 2002 to 2005, for her contribution to the country’s socio-economic growth during her working tour in Ghana, saying “you are welcome back to a new Ghana .”
Mrs. Yates, congratulated President Mills on his election, and commended Ghanaians for a peaceful transition.
She described Ghana as “a model for democracy in Africa which other countries, troubled by political conflicts, should emulate”.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Leasing Opportunities For Private Sector Funding
By Edmund Mingle
Friday, 27 February 2009
The Vice President, John Dramani Mahama, opened the maiden Ghana Leasing Forum in Accra yesterday and emphasised the need for Ghana to explore viable sources of funding for the private sector.
He said in view of the fact that the global financial crisis was already having an impact on access to credit in developed countries, “we too must respond by exploring viable alternatives that provide a lifeline of credit to our private sector”.
The forum, organised by the Ghana Association of Leasing Companies, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre and the International Financing Corporation, aimed at discussing strategies for enhancing the leasing industry and mechanisms to support the private sector.
It had the theme, “Access to finance: leasing opportunities and private sector development,” and was attended by operators in the leasing industry, managers of private sector businesses and business support institutions.
Leasing, among other things, enables businesses to have access to equipment for their operations thereby lessening the burden of businesses to have to look for funds to purchase the equipment, some of which they would use for a short period.
Vice President Mahama observed the importance of the leasing industry, and stressed the need for the industry to be promoted to enable it to effectively support the financing of the private sector.
He said that leasing provide alternative and appropriate financing mechanisms for businesses in the country, adding that local entrepreneurs could explore it to boost their capital and efficiency to invest in key areas of the economy.
He lauded the theme for the two day forum, and said it was in tandem with the government’s objective of attracting and retaining investment in the country.
“This maiden leasing forum should encourage all of you to discuss policy issues, benefits, challenges and opportunities associated with leasing as an alternative source of asset finance,” he told the forum.
He said the government would welcome contributions and proposals from banking and non-banking institutions, business regulatory bodies, investors and development partners on how the government could support and enhance the effective use of leasing to strengthen the competitiveness of local industries.
Robert Ahomka-Lindsey, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, in his welcome address, said the leasing industry provides excellent financing opportunities for the private sector, explaining that using leasing to purchase capital goods would help to improve productivity.
Friday, 27 February 2009
The Vice President, John Dramani Mahama, opened the maiden Ghana Leasing Forum in Accra yesterday and emphasised the need for Ghana to explore viable sources of funding for the private sector.
He said in view of the fact that the global financial crisis was already having an impact on access to credit in developed countries, “we too must respond by exploring viable alternatives that provide a lifeline of credit to our private sector”.
The forum, organised by the Ghana Association of Leasing Companies, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre and the International Financing Corporation, aimed at discussing strategies for enhancing the leasing industry and mechanisms to support the private sector.
It had the theme, “Access to finance: leasing opportunities and private sector development,” and was attended by operators in the leasing industry, managers of private sector businesses and business support institutions.
Leasing, among other things, enables businesses to have access to equipment for their operations thereby lessening the burden of businesses to have to look for funds to purchase the equipment, some of which they would use for a short period.
Vice President Mahama observed the importance of the leasing industry, and stressed the need for the industry to be promoted to enable it to effectively support the financing of the private sector.
He said that leasing provide alternative and appropriate financing mechanisms for businesses in the country, adding that local entrepreneurs could explore it to boost their capital and efficiency to invest in key areas of the economy.
He lauded the theme for the two day forum, and said it was in tandem with the government’s objective of attracting and retaining investment in the country.
“This maiden leasing forum should encourage all of you to discuss policy issues, benefits, challenges and opportunities associated with leasing as an alternative source of asset finance,” he told the forum.
He said the government would welcome contributions and proposals from banking and non-banking institutions, business regulatory bodies, investors and development partners on how the government could support and enhance the effective use of leasing to strengthen the competitiveness of local industries.
Robert Ahomka-Lindsey, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, in his welcome address, said the leasing industry provides excellent financing opportunities for the private sector, explaining that using leasing to purchase capital goods would help to improve productivity.
State Burial For Salia
By Edmund Mingle
Monday, 02 March 2009
The President has acceded to a request by Parliament for the government to honour the late Edward Salia, Member of Parliament for Jirapa, with a state burial.
“He served and sacrificed for his country, and we believe the least we can do is to accord him a befitting burial,” President Mills said of the deceased.
President Mills was responding to a request for a state burial for the late MP by the Majority Leader, Alban Bagbin, who accompanied a delegation of the bereaved family to formally inform the President about the death and invite him to the funeral slated for March 20, at Jirapa in the Upper West Region.
The President paid glowing tribute to Mr Salia describing him as “a hero who contributed immensely to national development. A nation that does not honour its heroes is not worth dying for, he noted.
He said the government was saddened by the passing away of Mr. Salia who, he said, contributed a lot to the electoral victory of the National Democratic Congress , but did not live long enough to enjoy the victory.
He recalled that Mr. Salia actively participated in rallies in the Upper West Region. Even in his frail state of health, he generally gave off his best for the motherland.
President Mills traced his relationship with Mr. Salia to the 1970s when he taught the late MP at the University of Ghana , and revealed that he was one of the people on his mind for consideration as running mate for the 2000 election.
He consoled the bereaved family, especially the widow and children, and urged them to take heart since the Lord knew why He called their loved one to eternity.
Vice President John Mahama, described the late Salia as “the father of the deregulation of the telecom industry in Ghana”, saying that Mr Salia’s work in the telecommunication sector laid the foundation for its expansion across the country.
He also consoled the family and said Mr. Salia battled his illness bravely and would be remembered for the various sacrifices he made for the country.
Mr. Bagbin, making the request for a state burial, informed the President that the Majority and Minority sides jointly agreed, with the consent of the Speaker, to request for state support to honour their departed colleague with a befitting burial.
He acknowledged Mr Salia’s contribution to the enhancement of the work of the House, adding that even in ill health, he declined requests from colleagues to take a break from the House, maintaining that he was prepared to die working.
Prof Bruce Yakubu, the family spokesman, described Mr. Salia as a diligent and resourceful person of whom the family was proud.
The delegation, which was led by Alhaji Dauda, head of family, consisted of the widow, Mrs. Mary Asunta Salia, the children, family elders and some chiefs from Jirapa traditional area.
Monday, 02 March 2009
The President has acceded to a request by Parliament for the government to honour the late Edward Salia, Member of Parliament for Jirapa, with a state burial.
“He served and sacrificed for his country, and we believe the least we can do is to accord him a befitting burial,” President Mills said of the deceased.
President Mills was responding to a request for a state burial for the late MP by the Majority Leader, Alban Bagbin, who accompanied a delegation of the bereaved family to formally inform the President about the death and invite him to the funeral slated for March 20, at Jirapa in the Upper West Region.
The President paid glowing tribute to Mr Salia describing him as “a hero who contributed immensely to national development. A nation that does not honour its heroes is not worth dying for, he noted.
He said the government was saddened by the passing away of Mr. Salia who, he said, contributed a lot to the electoral victory of the National Democratic Congress , but did not live long enough to enjoy the victory.
He recalled that Mr. Salia actively participated in rallies in the Upper West Region. Even in his frail state of health, he generally gave off his best for the motherland.
President Mills traced his relationship with Mr. Salia to the 1970s when he taught the late MP at the University of Ghana , and revealed that he was one of the people on his mind for consideration as running mate for the 2000 election.
He consoled the bereaved family, especially the widow and children, and urged them to take heart since the Lord knew why He called their loved one to eternity.
Vice President John Mahama, described the late Salia as “the father of the deregulation of the telecom industry in Ghana”, saying that Mr Salia’s work in the telecommunication sector laid the foundation for its expansion across the country.
He also consoled the family and said Mr. Salia battled his illness bravely and would be remembered for the various sacrifices he made for the country.
Mr. Bagbin, making the request for a state burial, informed the President that the Majority and Minority sides jointly agreed, with the consent of the Speaker, to request for state support to honour their departed colleague with a befitting burial.
He acknowledged Mr Salia’s contribution to the enhancement of the work of the House, adding that even in ill health, he declined requests from colleagues to take a break from the House, maintaining that he was prepared to die working.
Prof Bruce Yakubu, the family spokesman, described Mr. Salia as a diligent and resourceful person of whom the family was proud.
The delegation, which was led by Alhaji Dauda, head of family, consisted of the widow, Mrs. Mary Asunta Salia, the children, family elders and some chiefs from Jirapa traditional area.
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