UNESCO, GIPC rally investment for conservation sector

By Edmund Mingle

Nii Osa Mills being assisted by Mrs Svanikier
to cut the tape to open the exhibition

A two-week National Exhibition on Nature Conservation in Ghana has been opened in Accra with a call for private sector investments to promote the tourism potentials in the sector.

Increased investment in conservation and development of the natural environment, particularly, forest reserves, mountains, water bodies and their flora and fauna, it is believed would help to promote tourism that would generate high revenue.

The two-week photo exhibition showcases a collection of images that projects the amazing terrain, endangered plant and animal species from the Mole National Park, Akwamu Gorge and Lake Bosomtwe, three of Ghana’s famous, yet less explored conservation and tourism sites.

Mounted through a joint initiative by the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) and UNESCO Ghana office in France, and hosted by the Accra City Hotel, the national exhibition is aimed at revamping public and private sector interest in the development of the sector, as well as projecting the economic potentials in conservation.

Mrs Svanikier delivering her address

Mr. Johanna Odonkor Svanikier, Ghana’s permanent Delegate to UNESCO and Ambassador to France, who called for increased investment, said there was a need to properly conserve such natural sites to attract more domestic and international tourists.

She announced that the Mole National Park is expected to be designated as a World Heritage Site in July 2017, explaining that an evaluation team from UNESCO has already visited the Park for an assessment, and would present its report in July.

Also, she said Lake Bosomtwe has been listed as a World Biosphere Reserve, while efforts were being made to get the Akwamu Gorge to be listed as a world heritage site.

The listings, she said, would project Ghana’s tourism prospects and attract huge investments into the tourism sector.

According to her, the country could attract more investors and tourists by instituting measure to provide the necessary supporting facilities such as effective transportation, roads, rest centres, and information and communication systems in and around tourist sites.

Mrs Svanikier (left) and Nii Mills (middle) being conducted around the exhibition by Rev  Kpelle

Nii Osah Mills, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, who cut the tape to open the exhibition, said efforts continued to be made by the government to protect wild life and forests, and cited the introduction of the new Policy on Wildlife Conservation as indicative government’s commitment.

In addition, he explained that Accra Eco-Park, an ecotourism infrastructure development which has the potential to make the city of Accra a major tourism destination in the West Africa, is underway at the Achimota Forest Reserve.

Also, he said, the Akwamu Gorge is among areas that were being considered for intensified investment to promote their economic potentials for the locals.

Mrs. Mawuena Trebarh, Chief Executive Officer of GIPC, for her part, noted that such investments could help in poverty reduction in the host communities since increase tourism activity would boost the local economy.

The exhibition project was launched at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris by President Mahama during his recent visit to France, as part of measures to attract foreign investors into the sector.

Rev George Guba Kpelle, Director of Operations at the Forestry Commission(Wildlife Division) commended UNESCO and GIPC for the initiative, saying there was a need for vibrant stakeholder engagement in the conservation and protection of nation’s natural resources which are been adversely affected due to expanding human settlement.

President inaugurates Joint Transition Team

                                                                                                                     By Edmund Mingle

 President John Dramani Mahama yesterday evening, inaugurated the joint Transition Team that would ensure the smooth transfer of power from his National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration to incoming New Patriotic Party (NPP) regime.

It follows the just ended general election in which the Nana Akufo-Addo was declared winner and President-elect by the Electoral Commission last Friday night.

The composition of the Transition Team is in furtherance to the provisions of the Presidential Transition Act 2012 (Act 845) to ensure a peaceful and effective handover of government without acrimony.

Co-chaired by President Mahama and Nana Akufo-Addo, the President-elect, the team is expected to work in good time before the official handover ceremony on January 7, 2017.

Inaugurating the team, President Mahama congratulated Nana Akufo-Addo for the win, and praised all Ghanaians for peacefully overcoming the "democratic hurdle."
​
He said the Presidential Transition Act provides a convenient mechanism for the transfer of authority, and therefore urged the team to collaborate and cooperate undertaking the change over arrangements in the national interest.

He although in such a transition period the new administration should be preparing to take over while outgoing government must be rapping up to leave, there was a need for maximum collaboration between the two sides.

"We have been here before, and I know we can manage this one successfully," he said, and recalled the two previous transitions after a change in government.

He deplored reports of voilent physical attacks by jubilant NPP supporters on NDC supporters and State property, saying the development could mar the outcome the rather peaceful election.

President Mahama therefore, urged the President-elect and the leader of the NPP to advise their supporters against such acts, adding that the security agencies have been ordered to deal with the perpetrators of such attacks.

He gave the assurance that the government would continue to function until January 7, when the new leader would be inaugurated.

​The President- elect, tNana Akufo-Addo, for his part, commended President Mahama for his commitment in entrenching Ghana's democracy and governance, saying "I have so far received maximum cooperation from President Mahama."

Nana Akufo-Addo, who was accompanied by the Vice President-elect, Dr Bawumia, thanked the members of the transition tem for accepting to serve, and reminded them of a need to do a thorough work.

Accord to him, because the transition process did not suffer any pressure from a run-off like in 2009 election, thete would be "sufficient time for a complete and thorough job."

He called for optimum transparency, trust and cooperation from both sidea to ensure a successful transition.

The outgoing government has seven members, while the incoming government has nine members on the team, which also Head of the Civil Service, Head of the Local Government Service, Secretary to the Cabinet and National Security Coordinator, as statutory members, in according with the Transition Act. 

Those on the NDC government’s side are Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff; Marietta Brew Appiah Opong, Attorney General & Minister for Justice; Seth E. Terkper, Minister for Finance; Prosper Bani, Minister for the Interior; Dr. Benjamin Kunbour, Minister for Defence; Hanna S. Tetteh, Minister for Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration, and Alhaji Collins Dauda, Minister for Local Government & Rural Development.

Representing the incoming government are Yaw Osafo Maafo, representative of the President-elect; Frema Osei Opare, Head of the Staff of Office of the President-elect;
Gloria Akuffo, Member responsible for Legal Affairs; Ken Ofori-Atta, Member responsible for Finance; Ambrose Dery, Member responsible for the Interior; Dominic Nitiwul, Member responsible for Defence; Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Member responsible for Foreign Affairs; Hajia Alima Mahama, Member responsible for Local Government, and Albert Kan Dapaah, Member responsible for National Security;

The Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho, Professor Kwesi Botchway, Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission and Professor Mike Ocquaye, a former MP and member of the NPP Council of Elders, have been consisted into an Advisory Group for the transition team. 

The team starts work with immediate effect

President Mahama concedes defeat, Assures smooth transition

By Edmund Mingle
President John Mahama on Friday

night, after conceding defeat to Nana Akufo-Addo as the President -elect, gave assurance of a smooth transition from his administration to the new incoming regime.
He said as a committed democrat, he said he would ensure that Ghana remained the ultimate winner after the election.
Addressing the nation from his residence at Cantonment in Accra after calling to congratulate Nana Akufo-Addo, President Mahama said although his party really fought in the election, the result was not they expected.
He thanked the Ghanaians for the opportunity to serve them, adding that although he would have cherished another opportunity to continue to serve them, the people have decided otherwise.
I would have cherished an opportunity to do more, but I cherish the will of the people, he said.
He left it to history to be the judge of his tenure and contribution to development.
Encouraging the rank and file of the NDC to accept the results, he said although they fought the election, they have not secured the desired outcome. 
Every election is a hard ford battle, and this is no exception. Every election is an opportunity for the people to express their will for whom to lead them. One can either emerge as winner and loser, he said
He, however, asked them not to be discouraged by the outcome, but to keep on working to support the party to reclaim victory in the next election.
The thanked his running mate, Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur for the loyalty and support, and his ministers, campaign team, volunteers and family for the hardwork and assistance throughout the campaign period.
He also commended all stakeholders, especially the Electoral Commission, security agencies , the media and civil society organizations for their contribution to the successful of the election, saying Ghana has emerged victorious.
End