Govt. reclaims Tema Drydock after 13 years

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

 

By Edmund Mingle

Government has become the sole owner of the Tema Shipyard and DryDock after reclaiming the 60 per cent shares owned by the Malaysian private partner in the company.

It follows a negotiated agreement between the government, which had 40 per cent and Penang Ship Building Company (PSC) of Malaysia which controlled 60 per cent, in an effort by the government to salvage the company from total collapse.

The move, which was finalized by Cabinet at its meeting on Thursday May 10, comes after 13 years of what is described as gross mismanagement, and labour agitation for the government to take full control of the strategic national asset.

“The decision to urgently salvage such a strategic national asset was taken by Cabinet in the supreme interest of Ghana,” said Koku Anyidoho, Director of Communications at the Presidency, who confirmed the decision of Cabinet.

In addition, he explained that the move to reclaim the shares, which begun which the government took office in 2009, was informed by the need to operate a shipyard and drydock that could serve the sub-region in Ghana’s aim of becoming a sub-regional hub for the oil and gas industry.

With the sea traffic moving in the direction of Ghana, coupled with Ghana’s emerging oil and gas industry, he said he has become critically important that the shipyard and drydock was effectively positioned to create wealth and employment for the nation.

As part of the negotiated settlement, the government is expected to pay Penang gross amount payable to PSC about 6.3million dollars, out of which the private company will pay a capital gain tax of about 0.12million dollars to the Ghana Revenue Authority.

But according to Mr. Anyidoho, the amount paying to the company would pale into insignificance if the revenue expected to be generated for the government through proper management was considered.

In addition to that, he said the revamping of the shipyard would provide sustainable jobs for many of Ghanaians youths who have undergone training for the oil and gas industry, as well as provide the relevant platform for the transfer of skills.

The Tema Shipyard and Dry-Dock Corporation (TSDC) was built in the 1960's during the construction of the Tema Habour as part of the overall infrastructure requirement for the country maritime industry and socio-economic development. It has two graving docks and slip way.

The Shipyard is strategically placed to take advantage of dry-docking and repair needs of ship of up to 100,000 deadweight (DWT) plying the western shoreline of Africa. It was built before the advent of containership and the modern super oil tankers and is capable of docking the largest oil tankers.

Government had earlier last year hinted of plans to reclaim the 60 percent shares in the Tema Shipyard and Dry-Dock Corporation (TSDC) which it divested to the PSC of Malaysia 13 years ago, following the latter's failure to fulfill the goals of the Joint Venture Agreement(JVA) between two parties, signed on November 8, 1996.

According to Alhaji Collins Dauda, Minister for Transport, government's vision of transforming the dry dock into "a modern well-equipped facility to meet the nation's strategic objectives" and for which purpose the facility was divested but has not been met after 13 long years, hence the abrogation of the contract.

"Essentially, the government and Penang agreed that, pursuant to the SPA, Penang will rehabilitate the Shipyard and also procure such funding as is reasonably required by the Company to meet the costs in connection with the rehabilitation and completion of refurbishment of the shipyard. Unfortunately, after 13 years, this important vision of had not been achieved and the goals of JVA have not been met," he said a news conference last September.

In 2009, a Committee of Inquiry headed by lawyer Chris Ackummey, tasked to investigate the dry dock's operations and make recommendations that would lead to improvement in performance, recommended, among other things, that government regains control of the shipyard.

But after many deliberations during which the government took into consideration Ghana's good relationship with Malaysia, the spirit of South-South co-operation and the intervention of Prime Minister of Malaysia, government decided to take a majority stake in the shipyard in order to determine its future direction."

Subsequently, the government set up a negotiating team to explore an amicable resolution of the issues including increasing government's equity shares to at least 60 percent.

After numerous sessions the negotiations reached a deadlocked, principally relating to shareholding structure and management control.

Following representations from the Malaysian Prime Minister to President John Evans Atta-Mills and vice versa and subsequent meetings arising out of the correspondence, it was mutually agreed that the ownership and management of the dry dock should revert to Ghana.

END

Ackuaku sure of victory in Okaikoi South

By Edmund Mingle
Alexander Ackuaku, NDC Parliamentary candidate for Okaikoi South in Accra, has expressed high optimism of winning the seat for the ruling party, indicating that he is leaving nothing to chance in that quest.

After years of the New Patriotic Party’s control of the seat, the NDC candidate believes it is time for a change to benefit the people of the constituency.

In an interview with the Times yesterday about his vision for the area, Mr. Ackuaku, a tax administrator, said it was sad that the area had lagged behind in development in spite of its vast resources.

Mr. Ackuaku, who would face competition from the NPP’s candidate, Armed Arthur, hopes to pursue initiatives for development for the area, with regard to the provision of infrastructure, social amenities, quality education and creation of jobs for the youths.

When given the nod to represent the constituency, which covers Kaneshie, Awudome Estates, Bubuashie and sounding areas, he candidate intends to pursue a multi-faced development programme that would result in improved conditions in the area.

For instance, he hinted of the creation of an endowment fund to support needy but brilliant pupils and students, as well as support interventions towards the provision of quality education.

In addition, he plans to collaborate with the various Parent Teacher Associations to motivate teachers to give off their best, adding that an electronic library would be created for students in the area.

After his official campaign launch, which is slated for next month, Mr. Ackuaku said he would organise a youth forum to find ways of addressing the employment challenges confronting the jobless people in the constituency.

The objective of the forum, he said was to introduce the various national skills development programmes for them to utilise and offer them professional counseling to help them secure jobs.

“Development of our human capacity is critical and this is one of the main pillars of my plan for the area,” he stressed.

Touching on infrastructure, he said he would facilitate the provision of storm drain in some of the areas that are often affect by floods.


On the economic front, the candidate, who is a former teacher, said he would work with all the business organisations in the area to mobilise support for the progress of the constituency.

According to him, the people of the area now appreciate the need for change.

“This is the time for us to pay more attention to real development issues that is hindering the growth of the constituency,” he said.

He was optimistic that the electorate would give him the nod to represent them in Parliament, adding that he has the capacity to lobby for the progress of the area.

On the party front, he said Mr. Ackuaku noted that all the aspirants who competed with him in the primary were offering their support to win the seat.

“We have put the primary behind us and are working and fostering unity among the members of the party in the constituency,” he said, adding that “we need everybody on board to wrestle the Okaikoi South seat for the NDC.”
END

Navy gets 4 new patrol boats

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

From Edmund Mingle & Clement Adjei-Boye, Sekondi

Four new patrol boats were yesterday, commissioned by President John Evans Atta Mills for the Ghana Navy, giving a major boast to efforts to protect the nation’s territorial waters.
It is the first time since the establishment of the Ghana Navy 52 years ago that it is being provided with four new patrol vessels at once.
The four snake class fast patrol boats, which would enhance the operations of the Ghana Navy in preventing illegal activities within the nation’s maritime boundary, was commissioned at the Sekondi Naval Base, amidst excitement among the people of the Western region.
They come as a relief for the Navy who were faced with depleting fleet in the face of increasing need to protect the nation’s waters as a result of the oil and gas production on the Jubilee Field in the Western region.
With the provision of the boats, which were procured from China through a collaborative effort between the Ministries of Defence, and Food & Agriculture, the Navy would be able to maintain a continuous presence at sea check security threats that include arms and drugs smuggling, dumping of toxic waste, illegal fishing, pair-trawling and illegal bunkering, among others.
It is in fulfillment of government’s promise to resource the Navy and the Ghana Armed Forces in general to effectively deliver on its mandate of protesting the sovereignty of the country.
The ships, christened Blika, Garinga, Chemleand Ehwor, all snake names were constructed in 18 months after the order was placed by the government in March 2010.
“This is only the first step,” President Mills said, assuring that more resources would be provided to the Navy in the course of the year.
According to him, “the Navy deserves what it is getting today,” saying the protection was the nation’s territorial waters, was crucial for nation security.
In addition to the four boats, he announced that government would also take delivery of two newly refurbished German navy Fast Attack vessels currently undergoing refitting in Germany.
Also he said the ongoing Slipway rehabilitation project would be completed to enable the Navy to carry out docking and periodic refitting locally to save the nation millions of foreign exchange that is spent when for such works abroad.
Furthermore, he said ongoing works for the establishment of a Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Information System along the enture coast of Ghana would be completed soon.
The system, which would include coastal radar stations with control centres, when completed would enhance surveillance of the coast of the nation’s maritime area.

President Mills, who was happy about the success of the government’s efforts to revamp the Navy, said the need to provide a secure maritime environment for the socio-economic development of the country, “is a responsibility we cannot run away from.”
“With the increasing incidents of piracy and other related maritime crimes, we have no option that to equip our navy to be able to guarantee a secure environment where all legitimate entities can operate freely without hindrance,” he said.
“As the Commander-in-Chief, and as I stay committed to building a better Ghana, I will not relent in my efforts to fully equip the Ghana Armed Forces and other security agencies to enable our men and women in uniform to perform and derive maximum satisfaction from their chosen feilds of engagement.
Two of the vessels, paid for by the Ministry Food and Agriculture have been dedicated to the fisheries industry by helping to enforce the fisheries regulation at sea. The other two would be used for general naval operations.
“These four ships could not have come at any better time than now as they give us hope that our maritime resources will be jealously guarded,” said Lt. Gen. Joseph Henry Smith, Defence Minister, in his address.
Real Admiral Matthew Quarhie, Chief of the Naval Staff, expressed happiness about the commissioning of the ships, describing it as historic.
“In the history of the Ghana Navy, this is the first time four ships are being commissioned on the same day.
“This is why the Ghana Navy is highly excited and most thankful to the government and Ghanaians for this historic achievement,” he said.
END

Nunoo-Mensah Builds Nurses Quarters, School for two communities

From Edmund Mingle, Agona
Brigadier General (Rtd) Joseph Nunoo-Mensah, Presidential Security Advisor, has urged Ghanaians to choose selfless leaders who promote the interest of the nation, and not those who want power to amass wealth.

“We need selfless leaders who will put the interests of the people above their own and work to seek their wellbeing,” he stressed.

The retired military officer made the call at the inauguration of a six unit classroom block and a nurses’ quarters he built for Agona Nsaba and Agona Kwanyako respectively, both in the Central region on Friday.

According to him, what Ghanaians desired most were politicians who would improve their living standards, and not those who would exploit them to amass wealth.

“The essence of seeking political power is to serve the people and make life better for them,” he said, regretting that many politicians were not interested in serving the people, but only seek their personal interests.

“How can we in this country claim to be devout Muslims or Christians while many of our brothers and sisters live in such deprived conditions. There is no excuse for the poverty in a country like Ghana that is endowed with so much wealth,” he said.

Touching on the threats of violence, the Security Advisor, asked all political parties to ensure that their campaign activities were conducted in a peaceful manner.

“Let no political adventurer test the resolve of this administration to deal with anyone who will attempt to subvert the peace and stability of out dear nation,” he warned.

Explaining the basis on which he undertook the two projects, Brig-Gen Nunoo-Mensah, said it was his contribution towards improving conditions in deprived communities.

He said although he did not hail from the two beneficiary areas, he found it critical that communities in need must be supported irrespective one’s religion or ethnic background.
The two projects, which are geared at aiding the development of the communities, were inaugurated by former President, Flt. Lt. (rtd)Jerry John Rawlings, who commended Brig-Gen Nunoo-Mensah for the patriotic and selfless gesture that is worth emulating by all.

The nurses’ quarters is aimed at providing quality accommodation for health workers at the Agona Kwanyako Health Centre to ensure the centre operate a 24-hour service.

It comes with a lot of relief for the nurses who hitherto had to travel long distances to and from the health centre, the only health facility serving thousands in Kwanyako and other 52 surrounding towns and villages.

The six-unit primary classroom block, built for the Agona Nsaba Zongo community primary school, is aimed at providing quality education infrastructure to enhance access to education, as well as improve the quality of teaching and learning in the area.

The various speakers the two events, were full of commendations for Brig-General Nunoo-Mensah, who used his own resources and mobilised funds from other individuals and corporate bodies to undertake the projects.

The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr. Nuhu Osman Sharabutu, particularly thanked the security advisor for the immense support in building a school for a Muslim community, although he is a Christian.

“We are excited that such benevolent Ghanaians still exit,” he said, and prayed for Allah’s guidance and protection for the retired military officer.

At the inauguration of the nurses’ quarters, Nana Ampem Darko V, Chief of Agona Kwanyako, described the completion of the project as miracle because the quest for a staff bungalow for the health centre, which was built by the community, had been longstanding.

United States urges Ghana for peaceful elections

By Edmund Mingle
The government of the United States of America yesterday, encouraged Ghana to continue pursuing efforts towards peaceful elections, and commended the government for the measures in entrenching democracy in Ghana.
Visiting US Deputy Secretary of State, William J. Burns, during a call on President John Evans Atta Mills at the Castle, Osu in Accra, said the US was proud of Ghana’s democratic and economic progress.
He said the US, would join Ghanaians in looking forward to peaceful elections, expressing optimism the impending elections would be successful to further consolidate Ghana’s democratic status in Africa.
Mr. Burns also commended Ghana for the economic progress, citing the congenial investment climate that US businesses continue to enjoy in Ghana.
He gave the assurance that the US government was prepared to enhance its partnership with Ghana in addressing development challenges.
Mr. Burns, who is in Ghana to hold bilateral talks with the government focusing on Ghana’s participation in the US government’s “Partnership for Growth” programme that is helping nations to meaningful development results, said the US was proud to partner Ghana in various development interventions.
“This is an important moment in our relationship,” he stressed.
President Mills has reiterated government’s commitment for peaceful, free and fair elections, saying noting would be made to adversely affect the nation’s forward march to socio-economic progress.
“We have a standard to maintain,” he said.
The President expressed appreciation for the continuous support offered Ghana by the US, citing the anticipated second compact under the Millennium Challenge Account for Ghana.
“We value our relationship with the US especially because it inures to the benefit of our people,” he said.
The Partnership for Growth (PFG), is a partnership between the US and a select group of countries to accelerate and sustain broad-based economic growth by putting into practice the principles of President Obama’s September 2010 Presidential Policy Directive on Global Development.
Ghana, El Salvador, Philippines and Tanzania are the first four countries to have agreed to join the programme, which has a core objective of engaging governments, the private sector and civil society with a broad range of tools to unlock new sources of investment, including domestic resources and foreign direct investment.
It which involves rigorous joint analysis of constraints to growth, the development of joint action plans to address those constraints, and high-level mutual accountability for implementation.
By improving coordination, leveraging private investment, and focusing political commitment throughout both governments, the PFG hopes to enable partners to achieve better development results.
END

President reshuffles cabinet

By Edmund Mingle
President John Evans Atta Mills has reshuffled his government in what appears to be his new team to implement his development strategy in the last year of this first term.
A couple of Cabinet Ministers lost their positions, and new appointments were made while a number of them had new portfolios in yesterday’s reshuffle.
John Tia, Information Minister, Joseph Yieleh Chireh, the Health Minister and Col. (Rtd) Cyril Neku, deputy Volta Regional Minister, were the first casualties in the reshuffle, of which a second list is expected tomorrow.
Dr. Ben Kunbour, the current Interior Minister was named Minister of Justice and Attorney- General, while William Kwasi Aboah, a retired Commissioner of Police, has been appointed as Interior Minister-designate.

Fritz Baffour, NDC Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South, replaces John Tia as Information Minister, while Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Lee Ocran has been appointed Education Minister-designate.
Alban Bagbin, the current Works and Housing Minister is moving to the Health Ministry while his current position will be taken over by E. T Mensah, the current Minister of Employment and Social Welfare. Moses Asaga, MP for Nabdam, secures an appointment as Employment and Social Welfare Minister.

In the deputy Ministerial changes, James Agyenim Boateng, deputy Tourism Minister gets a comeback to the Information Ministry, as a deputy. Deputy Information Minister Baba Jamal replaced takes his position as the deputy Tourism Minister.

Dr Mustapha Ahmed, currently the deputy Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, replaces Dr. Edward Omane Boamah as the deputy Minister of Environment, Science and technology. Dr Omane Boamah heads to the Ministry of Youth and Sports as a deputy Minister, with Nii Reuben Nortey Dua, current deputy Youth and Sports Minister going to Water Resources, Works and Housing as a deputy Minister.

Steven Ackah, Member of Parliament for Suaman has been made deputy Minister-designate for Local Government and Rural Development, while Isaac Vanderpuije Thomas Aquinas, current deputy Minister of Local Government and Henry Ametepey, are taking positions as deputy Ministers-designate for Greater Accra, Central and Volta regions respectively.
Alhaji Amin Sulemana, Ghana’s Ambassador to Egypt takes as the Upper West Region Minister-designate, with Alhaji Said Sinare, getting an ambassadorial appointment as Ghana’s Ambassador to Egypt.
Dominic Azembe Azumah, MP for Garu Timpane, goes to the Presidency as a Minister of State, to replace one of the Ministers of State at the Presidency who is on the way out.
END

Workers get early pay

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

By Edmund Mingle

All public sector workers have been paid for January, says Ralph Tuffuor the Controller and Accountant General said yesterday.

The early payment was in compliance of a government directive workers be paid early this month as a way of cushioning them against the expenses made during the yuletide, and the effect of the recent increase in fuel prices.

Mr. Ralph Tuffour the Controller and Accountant General, told the Times in Accra that the commercial banks were given the mandate to credit the accounts of public sector workers last week.

He said some workers, especially those on the electronic banking system, received information of their credits last Friday and expressed optimism that all accounts would be credited by the banks by close of work today.

He said the Bank of Ghana facilitated the early crediting of the accounts of all public sector workers to enable salaries to be accessed by today, and asked the banks to guard against delays in payments.

A number of banks contacted by the Times indicated that workers’ accounts had been credited with their salaries.

A source at the head office of the Agricultural Development Bank told the Times that the bank’s staff worked at the weekend to credit all the accounts of workers.


Similarly, other banks including Ghana Commercial Bank, Barclays Bank, HFC Bank and SG-SSB Bank, have had most of the accounts credited.

The managements of the banks are optimistic that the crediting operation would be completed before close of banking hours yesterday.

A similar directive by the government for early salary payment last month was frustrated by the banks, which triggered agitations from workers.