Ghana, Liberia renew ties

By Edmund Mingle
After years of successful friendly relations, Ghana and Liberia yesterday, agreed to push their ties a step further by diversifying their partnership.

The governments of the two countries have agreed to create the platform for active exchanges and trade between the private sectors of the two countries.

The agreement resulted from a bilateral meeting between the two governments, led by President John Mahama and Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, during her official visit to Ghana on yesterday (Friday)

The visit was aimed at consolidating the historical socio-economic and political ties between the two friendly West African nations.

Among other things, the two leaders believe the private sector of the two countries could build on the strong collaboration between the government of Ghana and Liberia so as to derive the necessary economic benefits for their countries.

According to the two leaders, the bilateral relations have produced many investment and trade opportunities that the private sector could take advantage of.

Addressing journalists after the bilateral meeting at the Flagstaff House in Accra, President Mahama urged the private sector to take interest in the trade between the two countries.

He cited Liberia’s energy sector where the private sector could build on the foundation laid by the Volta River Authority which provided support in restoring that country’s power distribution industry after the civil war.

The meeting, President Mahama said, discussed ways of strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries, in respect of defence and security, economic development and trade, regional integration.

In terms of regional integration, he said the meeting discussed the Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union.

President Mahama said “we believe it is desirable for the sub-region to continue to work for a common EPA, and despite the fact that it has become imperative for Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire to sign an interim EPA, we will work to ensure that we bring all the sub-region on board so that it advances the cause of our integration.”

In addition, the two leaders discussed security issues, especially in addressing threats of terrorism in the sub-region, he said, adding that the defence teams of the two countries would collaborate in that regard.

“These discussions have been very fruitful, and it is our expectation that under the Joint Commission for Cooperation between our two countries, we will be able to screw down on these issues for successful implementation,” President Mahama said.

He thanked the Liberian President, who was accompanied by a high level ministerial and business team, for the visit, and assured Liberians of Ghana’s continuous assistance and collaboration.

President Johnson Sirleaf, expressed appreciation to the government and people of Ghana for immense support towards the rebuilding of her country after the war.

“Liberia’s peace and stability has been secured through the immense contribution of Ghana,” he noted.

President Johnson Sirleaf said that country’s reconstruction efforts would not have been successful without the support and cooperation from Ghana.

In spite of the successful historical relationship, she was optimistic the two countries could accelerate their partnership to achieve more dividends, and cited the energy, infrastructure and tourism sectors, which she believed offers immense opportunities for collaboration.

“We look forward to greater participation,” she said, adding that “we believe the visit will strengthen all that we have achieved together. We want to build on all the historical successes we have had. We want to achieve more.” President Johnson Sirleaf said.

IMF programme helping Ghana - Veep

By Edmund Mingle
Vice President, Kwesi Amissah-Arthur yesterday described the IMF programme as helpful in advancing the country’s fiscal consolidation drive, saying it was yielding the desired benefits.
As part of the benefits, he said the IMF programme had so fare effectively contributed to the reduction of budget deficit and created conditions for the growth of the economy.

Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur

Vice President Amissah-Arthur made the  observation when a group of Standard Chartered Bank Chief Executives from the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa, called on him at the Flagstaff House in Accra yesterday.

In April 2015, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a three-year Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Programme for Ghana in response to government’s request for financial and technical assistance to support the economy.

A total of $918 million was expected to be advanced to Ghana as balance of payments support over period.

The amount is being disbursed in eight equal tranches, and the government was currently awaiting the third tranche after an IMF team visited Ghana to undertake an assessment.

According to the Vice President, the implementation of the programme was progressing as desired, and that more positive results were expected, which he said would benefit the business sector.

Vice President Amissah-Arthur stated that the country’s growth rate in terms of GDP was about four per cent and that efforts were being made to further consolidate the gains by introducing the petroleum levy.

He said despite the unfavourable external conditions in terms of its impact on commodity prices, compounded by the problems of the electricity generation that had created a lot of difficulties for the manufacturing and service sectors, the economy was still making strides.

He said the country’s inflation had also reduced from 19 per cent to 18.4 per cent and expressed the hope that the downward trend would continue in the next one year.

Vice President Amissah-Arthur also announced that the government intends to develop a secondary market for government debts in order to take the burden of financing it from the central bank.

Mr. Sunil Kaushal, CEO, Standard Chartered Bank, Africa and the Middle East Region, on his part, announced the intention of the bank to continue to invest significantly in Africa.

He said in spite of the very strong headwinds, the bank had a resilient performance from Africa.

He said as part of their meeting in Accra the bank would launch a targeted campaign to reinforce its commitment to the continent.

The Chief Executives were at the flagstaff House to brief Vice President Amissah-Arthur about the Bank’s CEO’s regional quarterly meeting as well as celebrate 120 years of the banks exceptional history in Ghana.

The meeting is being attended by CEO’s from Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia, United Arab Emirates, Dubai, Bahrain and Kenya.

OCP Africa to transform Ghana’s agric sector

By Edmund Mingle
OCP Africa, a subsidiary of OCP Group, a leading global producer of fertiliser, has declared its plans to transform the agriculture industry in Ghana by providing custom-made fertilisers and agriculture services.

The company plans to deplore its resources, including its products and services, logistics and financial solutions to support farmers in enhancing their operations to achieve high yield and also promote agri businesses.

It also plans to partner existing local agro firms to initiate and implement interventions that would help to boost agriculture production in the country.

Being a priority among its plans, OCP, the largest Moroccan agribusiness firm aims at building a fertiliser plant in Ghana, with the objective of making its fertiliser and farm inputs more readily available to farmers in Ghana.

Mr Samuel Oduro-Asare, Country Manager of OCP Africa, in an interview, on the operations of the company in Ghana, noted that the firm would soon launch its farm development models to support crop farmers across the country.

He said the expertise of the OCP Group, gained over nearly a century to become a world leader in phosphate and its derivative products, would be deployed in Ghana.

“We have wide range of adapted fertiliser products to enrich the soil, increase crop yield and feed the world economically and sustainably,” he said.

He explained that because of the diverse nature of soils, farmers should have fertilisers that match their soil.

“The right fertiliser, in the right place, at the right time, in sufficient quantity is the key to our agriculture development,” he said.

In addition, he said the company would train and deploy to farm areas to offer quality agriculture extension services that would help to build the capacity of farmers.

“By working every type of soil with the right techniques and the right fertilisers, we can raise Africa to the forefront of world agriculture, promoting sustainable and responsible farming,” he stressed.

Also, regional and district offices would be set up, he said, indicating that through those  local units, the fertilisers would be made available, affordable and adapted to the specific characteristics of soils in respective farm areas.

“Enhancing the capacity of the farmer is our focus,” he said, adding that the company intends not to compete with existing fertiliser and agro firms, but partner them to redevelop agriculture production in the country.

OCP Africa was set up by the OCP Group, the world’s leading producer phosphate and its derivative products, with the aim prioritising its support to revamp Africa’s agriculture industry for the continent to achieve food sufficiency.

On February 1, 2016, the first OCP fertiliser factory for Africa was inaugurated by Morocco’s leader, King Mohammed VI, in Jorf Lasfar in Morocco, representing a 530 million dollar investment.

That unit is the first of a series of production facilities that will be built in several African countries, including Ghana to support major consumer markets.

Mahama inaugurates John Evans Atta Mills Presidential Library

From Edmund Mingle, Cape Coast
The John Evans Atta Mills Presidential Library, a memorial and research facility that immortalises the late President Mills, was inaugurated by President John Dramani Mahama yesterday at Cape Coast in the Central Region to mark the fourth anniversary of his passing.

President Mahama unveiling the plague to
inauguratethe-Library

As the first presidential library in Ghana, the memorial facility has a 100-capacity auditorium, 45-seater multi-media centre, seminar rooms and a museum that holds historical materials that reflect the life and works of the late President.

The two-storey edifice, situated opposite the Cape Coast Castle in his home region, also has a virtual sound room that echoes the voice of Prof. Atta Mills in his memorable speeches and images that bring to life his sojourn as a celebrated academic, a keen sportsman, a humble politician, a devout Christian,  a servant, leader, a President and a peace loving Ghanaian.

Although not a typical book library, it will preserve and make available the papers, records, collections and historical materials of the late President Mills and other prominent African intellectuals and political leaders.

President Mahama inaugurating the facility, said nothing better immortalises the late President than such a library to promote research and academic work.

Recalling memories of the late President, President Mahama described his deceased boss as a “patriot, tolerant, humble, peace-loving, loyal, devout Christian, father-for-all and calm leader.”

“He was our rock of Gibraltar,” he said, and urged Ghanaians to adopt his character.

The Presidential Library

According to him, the high level of tolerance and humility exhibited by the late President were attributes that Ghanaians, particularly political leaders needed.

For him, he said, those attributes have helped him to effectively executive his mandate of serving the country for the past years, and asked others to do same.

Commenting on the unique location of the building, President Mahama said while the Cape Coast Castle reflects the story of slavery, the library tells a story of an emancipated Ghana and the efforts of a leader to transform the nation.

Apart from academic benefits, he believed the presidential library would help to enhance tourism in the region, and called for its effective maintenance.

He thanked the Oguaa Traditional Council for releasing the land for the project, and commended the members of the Ghana Telecoms Chamber, particularly Airtel, Tigo and Vodafone for supporting the project.

The facility will be managed by the University of Cape Coast Libraries, and its research events would be coordinated by the university’s Faculty of Arts with support from the Directorate of Research Innovation and Consultancy of UCC.

Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, Paramount Chief of Oguaa Traditional Area, who chaired the ceremony, described the library as a “befitting tribute” to late the President Mills who cherished education.

Professor Domwini Kuupole, Vice Chancellor of UCC, in his address, expressed delight about the project, and hoped it was the beginning of the presidential libraries system in Ghana.

He cited other countries where such libraries were used to preserve the legacy and records of leaders for present and future generations to draw lessons, and urged Ghanaians, particularly teachers and students to make use of the facility.

Regarding the management of the library, he proposed the establishment of a foundation to coordinate public support towards the work and sustenance of the facility since government alone cannot provide sufficient resources in that regard.

The ceremony was attended by a large number of government officials, Members of Parliament, politicians from various parties, academicians, members of the Diplomatic Corps, traditional leaders and family members.

It was graced by the former President of Malawi, Joyce Hilda Banda.

The late President Mills, the first sitting Head of State to have died, passed on July 24, 2012.

End

Mohammed VI Foundation for African Scholars promotes Islam

By Edmund Mingle

The Mohammed VI Foundation for African Scholars has called on Muslims to work together in promoting the image and true value of Islam for the development of humanity.

That, according to the Foundation, was necessary in projecting Islam as a peaceful religion, and to clear misconceptions, fuelled by the activities of extremists, that Islam supports intolerance and violent religions.

Sheikh Mustapha Ibrahim,

Sheikh Mustapha Ibrahim, a Council Member of the Foundation and a leader of the Ghana branch, believes that renewed efforts to enhance awareness about Islam would place the religion in the true perspective.

In an interview with The Ghanaian Times on the work of the Foundation which was set up by the leader of Morocco, King Mohammed VI, to serve as a platform for Islamic scholars (Ulema) to promote the religion for development, Sheikh Ibrahim was confident that the work of the foundation would help to cultivate a better understanding of the religion among both Muslims and non-Muslims.

The establishment of the Foundation, which is part of Morocco’s effort to consolidate its cultural and religious cooperation with other African countries, is aimed at coordinating the efforts of Muslim scholars to promote the values of Islam as a religion of tolerance and peace.

It also aimed at promoting intellectual, scientific and cultural action related to the religion, and as well as establish relations with other African governmental and non-governmental institutions to foster socio-economic development in African countries.

Sheikh Ibrahim, who is also the Executive Chairman of the Islamic Council for Development and Humanitarian Services, urged Muslims to embrace the Foundation and support it to achieve its target of preventing the religion from being linked to extremism, reclusiveness and terrorism.

Among other plans, he said the foundation would collaborate with government in the implementation of development initiatives that promote security, stability and development.

“We aim at dialogue, and to work in tandem with government policies,” he stressed.

On its operations in Ghana, he said the Ghana branch was currently developing its programme of activities for submission to the Foundation’s Higher Council for approval.

However, he said, the work of the newly established foundation would culminate in projects such as the provision of schools, mosques, scholarships and training of clerics, as well as the development of partnerships with government and civil society organisations.

At the recent inauguration of the Higher Council for the Foundation, which is headquartered in Fez, Morocco’s spiritual capital, King Mohammed VI said the initiative reflected the depth of the time-honoured spiritual bonds between sub-Saharan African peoples.

“It attests to the unity of our faith and doctrine, as much as to our shared cultural heritage, and advance Islam’s open-minded values, which are based on moderation, tolerance and coexistence.

“This is another building block which further enhances our strategic policy designed to raise the level of political and economic cooperation between Morocco and a number of sister African nations in order to make it an effective, solidarity-based partnership, covering all sectors,” he said.

Sterling International Wins Export Platinum Award

Sterling International Limited, producers of coating systems for the automotive, industrial and marine industry has won the Best Export Excellence Award at the 11^th Ghana- Africa Business Awards Dinner held in Accra.

The Platinum Award adds to a collection of export excellence awards won by the company in recent years, in recognition of its immense contribution to the development of the export sector in Ghana.

Mr. Owusu Boateng (left) presenting the Platinum Award to Mr. E. A. Dagadu
of Sterling Int. Ltd

It is also in recognition of its role in promoting intra African trade. Sterling International exports auto refinish paints and coatings to most West and Central African countries.

The annual awards event which was organised by Top Brass Ghana Ltd under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, seeks to promote investment and motivate entrepreneurs to focus on intra African trade as a key to Africa’s economic growth and development.

Mrs. Lulama Xingwana, South Africa’s High Commissioner to Ghana, in her keynote address, bemoaned the low level of trade among African Countries, and called for a vibrant regional trading region.

She, therefore, stressed the need for trade barriers to be removed, saying increased trade among African countries remained “a necessity for the growth of our economies.”

Ms Hannah Tetteh, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, who was represented by Mr. Eric Owusu Boateng, Director of Africa Bureau of the Ministry, commended the award winners for their achievement and urged others to emulate their performance for the benefit of the country and Africa in general.

Ghana Will Continue To Draw Lessons From India – Veep

By Edmund Mingle

Vice President Amissah-Arthur

The Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur says Ghana will continue to draw inspiration from India’s industrialisation, as the country makes efforts to revamp its industrial sector.

According to him, India’s economic development offers valuable lessons for Ghana, and therefore, the government would continue to partner the Indian government in undertaking essential initiatives particularly for the trade and industrial sectors.

Vice President Amissah-Arthur, who said this when the outgoing Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr. K. Jeeva Sagar, called on him at the Flagstaff House in Accra yesterday to bid farewell after ending his duty tour of Ghana, stressed that Ghana values its relationship with India.

India, classified as a newly industrialised country, is the seventh-largest economy in the world measured by nominal GDP, and according to the World Bank and IMF, it has the potential to become the third largest economy by the next decade.

The Vice President indicated that Ghana continues to follow the growth of India with keen interest, adding that the relationship with India offers many development opportunities.

He was particularly happy about the enhanced economic relations between the two countries that had led to increased trade and as well as partnerships in the development of Ghana’s agriculture, health, education and industrial sectors.

“We know the bilateral relationship is growing stronger,” he said, and thanked the Indian government for the support advanced to Ghana.

Trade volume between the two countries is projected to increase from the 3billion dollars recorded in 2015 to five billion dollars by 2020, and the Vice President expressed government’s commitment to work towards achieving that target.

Touching on the performance of the outgoing High Commissioner, who is also accredited to Togo, Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone, Vice President Amissah-Arthur commended him for his immense contribution towards the strengthening of the ties between the two countries.

He wished him well, and urged him to continue to be an ambassador of Ghana in his future assignments.

Mr Jeeva Sagar (left) presenting a gift to Vice-President Amissah-Arthur

Bidding farewell, Mr. Sagar also commended Ghana for the socio-economic progress over the past few years.

He thanked the government, and particularly the Vice President for the support and cooperation which enabled him to work effectively, adding that the improved bilateral relations would inure to the benefit of the people of the two countries.

“India considers Ghana as a reliable partner,” he said, adding that almost every dimension of the relationship has witnessed significant growth

Touching on trade, he called for more value addition on Ghanaian exports to India so that Ghana could gain more from the balance of trade.

“I leave this country with a sense of fulfillment,” he said, and wished Ghana a successful general election in November.

As a farewell gift, the Vice President presented a traditional stool and kente cloth to the outgoing High Commissioner