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Ecobank Group Research reveals three key emerging trends for Africa

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  • Rebounding economy after a trying year
  • Gas is West Africa’s new oil
  • Africa’s evolving role in FinTech leadership

The 2017 version of Ecobank Research’s Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities (FICC) Guidebook, which provides expert knowledge and analysis on African markets for investors and businesses, was launched at AfricaFICC. Indicating a positive outlook for the continent, three key trends are forecast to take hold during the next 12 months.

The first indicates an economic rebound in sub-Saharan Africa driven by a recovery in the region’s economic heavyweights, Nigeria and South Africa, and ongoing growth in the top performers, Ethiopia, Côte d’Ivoire and (more recently) Ghana.

  • Growth will be driven by a rise in oil production (notably in Ghana, Republic of Congo, Nigeria and Angola), strengthening infrastructure investment across West and East Africa, and improved weather conditions which bode well for crops.
  • Strengthening economic activity, plus a moderate improvement in oil and mineral prices, will help narrow the current account deficit, but pressure on SSA currencies will remain.

The second emerging trend points to West Africa’s gas sector becoming a hive of activity in 2018 from Senegal to Angola, with the development of gas pipelines, floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) platforms and major gas field projects.

  • Governments in the Gulf of Guinea and across West Africa have ramped up efforts to secure gas supply in order to boost domestic power generation and diversify their revenues away from crude oil.
  • Deregulating the gas market and allowing market-driven gas prices will be key to unlocking further gas infrastructure investment across the region.

The third trend suggests Fintech innovation in Africa picking up speed in 2018 buoyed by a new generation of Africans who are ‘digital natives’. The proliferation of tech hubs across Africa (notably in South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire) will nurture the next wave of African start-ups and help connect them with investors.

  • Digital innovation in SSA is being driven by the explosion in mobile phone usage, enabling African consumers to leapfrog existing business models and technologies.
  • African Fintech firms are increasingly driving this innovation, deploying digital tools to build credit profiles for the previously ‘unbankable’, providing electricity to rural households that were previously off the grid, even using artificial intelligence to diagnose health problems remotely.

Edward George, Head of Ecobank Group Research, said: “The digital world moves apace, and so must we. The AfricaFICC website is a key way that we can deliver our regional market analysis and expert local knowledge of 41 African markets – which is often hard to access – to a much wider audience. We think these three trends are strong evidence that Africa has weathered the storms of late and is very much on track for improved growth in 2018.”

 

Energy Minister woos investors at the 24th Africa Oil Week

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The Energy Minister,  Boakye  Agyarko has told investors at the just ended 24th Africa Oil Week in Cape Town, South Africa that Ghana is the most stable and receptive country for investment in the upstream oil and gas sector in the West Africa sub region.

The Minister was among five Ministers in the Oil & Gas sector representing Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Namibia, Mali     and Ghana on the Ministerial Panel   Discussion on ‘Attracting Operators and Investment’ at a forum held on 24th October 2017 as part of the 24th Africa Oil Week.

Citing the unparalleled stability of Ghana’s political framework as a feather in the cap, Mr  Agyarko reiterated government’s target of making Ghana the most business-friendly country on the continent. “We want to repeat the success of the Jubilee Field at the time of discovery by pursuing a regime of aggressive exploration and development”, the Minister told the audience.

To achieve this, the Minister said that the passage of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act, 2016; Act 919, has established a foundation for a clear and transparent environment to promote investments in the industry through bidding rounds.

Agyarko told the conference that clarity has also been brought to Ghana’s upstream oil and gas sector by the settlement in September of the maritime border dispute with Côte d’Ivoire, which paves the way for companies with acreage(s) close to the previously disputed zone to intensify their approved activities.

He told the conference that “a lot of majors are now coming into the field. A lot of majors are also now moving their regional offices and settling in Ghana, thus making Ghana the hub for the West African sub – region and hopefully the entire continent.”

Amidst all of these developments, Mr  Agyarko acknowledged that Ghana understands the low-price environment and is very cooperative with the field producers, making sure they are supported in containing cost and reducing operational cost in a bid to enhance their profitability and global competitiveness.

The Energy Minister assured investors that though Ghana may not be the most endowed, Ghana certainly offered the most friendly and competitive regulatory environment with the assurance of political stability that gives certainty for long term planning for the oil and gas industry.

The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission, Mr Egbert Faibille Jnr, Chief Executive of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Dr K. K. Sarpong, Board Chairman of GNPC,  Freddie Blay, some Board Members of the Petroleum Commission, Prof. Daniel Asiedu, Dr. Jemima Nunoo,  Mohammed Hardi Tufeiru, were also in attendance to promote Ghana.

The Conference is Africa’s premier and longest-running oil & gas industry event. It attracted many industry players across the globe, including investors scouting for prospects.

The Petroleum Commission mounted a booth to promote Ghana’s open acreages.

Angola’s Ambassador seeks to revitalise relationship

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The Angolan Ambassador to Ghana, Admiral Augusto Da Silva Cuhna has said his country and Ghana are currently in talks to revitalise bilateral relations to encompass more areas of interest for both countries.

“There will be renegotiation of the general agreement on economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation and political consultations between the two foreign affairs ministries and by so doing revitalise the joint bilateral committee leading to multiple advantages to both countries,”he said.

Speaking at the 42nd independence anniversary celebrations, which came off at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Accra, Admiral Cuhna added that Angola, within the next five years, intends to cooperate with Ghana to continue the negotiations of pending agreements in sectors such as fisheries and higher education.

“To still underscore the growth in negotiations in the private sector, there is the establishment of a chamber of commerce and industry between Angola and Ghana, within a short time, with noticeable visits of business delegations from both countries to both countries for bilateral economic negotiations,”he added.

He noted that bilateral cooperation is based on the principles of the relation of mutual trust and reciprocity of advantages.

The celebration

Angolans from all walks of life in Ghana were in full force as they celebrated their independence anniversary.  The Golden Tulip Hotel was beautifully decorated with miniature Angola National Flag and the audience including Ghanaians were treated to harmonious Angolan tunes and patriotic songs.

Ambassador Cuhna, noted that the presence of the ambassador of the Republic of Angola in Ghana, is a testimony of the vision of the Angolan Government to continue the friendly relations that bind the two countries, which date back to the 60s when Ghana provided the necessary assistance for the realization of the ideals of liberation for Angola’s independence.

He also indicated that Angola has been enjoying a peaceful and stable environment since April 2002, which has translated into the sudden growth that the country has been experiencing in the last 15 years.

The occasion was graced by diplomats from various African countries, the business community, and the media. A group of Angolan young men and women entertained guests at the celebration with the Semba, Kizomba and Kuduro dances.

Significance of celebration

Ambassador Cuhna said: “the declaration of Angolan independence which was proclaimed by the first President of Angola, Dr. Antonio Agostinho Neto, on the 11th of November, 1975, was the most important moment in the lives of the Angolans.”

He continued that the importance of this occasion lies in the pride of being the day on which we won our freedom and the right to chart the course of our destiny as a sovereign nation after 500 years of Portuguese colonization and 14 years of armed struggle for the national independence.

Addressing gender disparities crucial to the transformation of the agriculture sector

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The Network for Women’s Rights in Ghana (NETRIGHT), has said efforts to develop the agriculture sector cannot be fully realized if conscious attempts are not made to eliminate the lifelong issues of gender inequalities, especially with the introduction of some new agric policies, by the government.

The Programme Manager of NETRIGHT, Patricia Blankson Akakpo, explained that it is important now to find solutions to gender disparities in the agriculture sector given that despite the existence of a gender policy, since 2001, there are still gender gaps that ought to be resolved.

According to the MoFA, women contribute 70 percent of food and food crop production in the country. They, however, reap minimal benefits from investments in the sector.

MoFA’s Progress Report for 2013 shows that large proportions of the agricultural workforce are women, constituting 52 percent, with a high rate of illiteracy and limited capacity to access and adopt improved agricultural technologies, thus most of them are poor.

Women farmers’ access, control, and ownership of land also pose a huge challenge to their farming activities, as a result of the complex mix of customary and statutory laws that governs Ghana’s land tenure system.

The Food and Agricultural Sector Development Policy (FASDEP) II categorically states that gender inequality in the agricultural sector has undermined the achievement of sustainable agricultural development because programmes and projects are not systematically formulated around different needs of women and men.

Furthermore, MoFA’s mid-term review report of the Medium Term Agricultural Sector Investment Plan (METASIP), in 2013, also indicates that the approximate male to a female coverage ratio of all projects mapped to the METASIP was 2:1 and very few of the projects had gender inclusiveness as part of the areas of focus within project objectives.

FASDEP II policy direction for the sector focuses on value chain approach to the agricultural sector, emphasizing value-addition and market access. This brings into sharp focus emerging issues in the shifts in policy since the development of Gender and Agricultural Development Strategy (GADS I) in 2001.

The GADS was reviewed and re-launched in 2015 as GADS II and provides guidance for the integration of gender equality in the implementation of agricultural development policies and programmes.

Madam Patricia Blankson Akakpo, speaking in an interview with B&FT, at the backdrop of a policy dialogue in Kumasi, stated that the successful implementation of the GADS II will contribute effectively to address some of these existing challenges.

She emphasized that key stakeholders including the district assemblies collectively would need to align it with their work plans to make it effective. She, however, maintained that there is the need to relook at the strategic objectives of the bb policy, interrogate it and monitor its implementation at each stage of the process.

The Ashanti Regional Director of MoFA, Rev. John Manu, noted that MoFA recognizes the issue of gender disparities and imbalances in many spheres of life including the agricultural sector hence its effort to address it through the introduction of GADS II.

He said this ensures the inclusion of women in the decision-making processes as well providing a framework for achieving a gender sensitive equitable and efficient agriculture sector.

The representative of the USAID’s Feed the Future Agricultural Policy Support Project, Mr. Festus Kwame Kwadzokpo, encouraged policies to improve the agriculture sector must be based on research.

It was his expectation that the dialogue will come out with a policy brief which will be submitted to the various relevant ministries as part of efforts to bring policy reforms to the agric sector.

The NETRIGHT Regional Focal Point, Mrs. Elisabeth Adubofour, was hopeful that the event will highlight avenues for cooperation between stakeholders and to also come up with beneficial solutions which can positively impact the agric sector.

The policy dialogue was organized by NETRIGHT with support from the USAID, through Feed, the Future’s Agriculture Policy Support Project under the theme “Strengthening Gender Responsive Policy Processes in the Agricultural Sector.” It was aimed at increasing public awareness on women’s participation in the agriculture sector and shed light on the policies that encourage women empowerment and productivity.

The forum served as a platform for about 60 stakeholders from women’s rights organisations, women farmer groups and other representatives from the public sector—who are all crucial actors in Ghana’s agriculture development.

The participants were encouraged to advocate for evidence-based and gender-responsive policies in the agriculture sector to strengthen their access, control, and ownership of critical agriculture resources.

Adventure In South Africa’s ‘Jewel Of The Eastern Free State’

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By the kind courtesy of South African Tourism West Africa, I recently spent a week in South Africa, three nights in one of South Africa’s hidden treasures, a small town by name Clarens. I was part of about thirty players within the tourism industry and media practitioners from Ghana and Nigeria for the 2017 South Africa Specialist experience.

Clarens is situated in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains in the Free State province of South Africa and nicknamed the “Jewel of the Eastern Free State”. Established in 1912, it is named after the town of Clarens in Switzerland where exiled and former South African president, Paul Kruger, spent his last days. Clarens can be found 336 kilometers away from Johannesburg and about three hours by road.

In his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, celebrated African legend, liberator and former South African President Nelson Mandela expressed his feelings for the Free State as follows: “the Free State landscape gladdens my heart, no matter what my mood. When I am here I feel that nothing can shut me in and that my thoughts can roam as far as the horizons“.

Clarens is an artists’ haven with many well-known artists either living in or frequenting the village, with many art galleries scattered around the village square and the town. The tranquil village ambience combined with scenic views and a mild climate has made Clarens a popular getaway for city dwellers from Johannesburg, Bloemfontein and Durban, among other places. Clarens is known for its spectacular sandstone mountains and wonderful climate; it is one of the most picturesque spots in South Africa.

The transfer from O.R Tambo International airport to Clarens was organized by leading tour management outfit, Thompsons Africa. The journey was quite shorter than anticipated with Tefo Legobate as our tour guide on the day. He is a true professional with an all-round and deep knowledge about the region, making it a great engagement with him. Themba Ndayi from Thompsons Africa on the other hand will come in as and when need be to give valuable information about the Free State and also answer questions about tour management mechanisms across South Africa and beyond.

After our arrival in the town and looking around with some members of the team, we had to make my way to the Clarens Wellness Day Spa for a shea aroma therapeutic massage. After the forty-five minute spa treatment, we then made our way to the Protea Hotel in Clarens for dinner before going to bed to get rejuvenated for the next day’s activities.

By 9am the next morning, we were at the Clarens Xtreme to start what will be a day full of excitement. By the way, Clarens Xtreme, the Great Adventure People, as they are called is a team of energetic adventurers seeking to experience the real world with a grassroots approach to adventure and team building. They have created amazing adventures that are meaningful and memorable on the path less traveled with an extraordinary experience.

Individuals as well as groups of up to hundred people can be catered for at Clarens Xtreme. It could either be school or education camps, fun adventure camps or perfect corporate getaways with great activities for all ages, shapes and sizes. Activities offered at Clarens Xtreme include White Water Rafting, Abseiling, Archery, Hiking, Leadership Challenges, Traditional Games and Paintball. Others are Zipline, Geology / Dinosaur Fossils, Volleyball, Soccer, Cricket and much more.

There is also the Clarens Oxwagon Camp, a unique ox wagon camp which is situated 7 kilometers from Clarens on the farm Linwood. Accommodation consists of 14 authentic, restored ox wagons, each furnished with 4 single bunk beds for up to 8 people. Each wagon has a braai with table and chairs.

The wagon is fitted with a light but no electrical point. Communal ablutions include classic bucket showers with hot water available, hand basins and flush toilets. In addition, a communal kitchen for the use of all campers consists of a wash-up area, 4 plate gas stove, fridge and a kettle. The function venue consists of a big hall and lapa area ideal for groups up to 200 people. A terraced bank on the mountain side of hall serves as an amphitheatre, with the side of hall as a stage are. The huge lapa is ideal for end of year functions, unique birthday parties and a great school camp.

Our adventure on the day commenced with the daring white river rafting which turned out to be an amazing experience. It comes with a lot of thrilling moments especially going through the rapids though perceived initially as scary and dangerous. I guess the professional guides on each raft makes participants feel comfortable knowing they are not on their own.

After hours of rafting going through five categories of rapids downstream, we moved on to the second and last activity for the day, the Mountain Quad Zip-Line. Zip-line, also known in South Africa as foefie slide, consists of a pulley suspended on a cable, usually made of stainless steel and mounted on a slope. It is designed to enable a user propelled by gravity to travel from the top to the bottom of the inclined cable by holding on to or attaching to the freely moving pulley. These two made our day giving us a totally outstanding experience.

Have you ever heard of the Basotho Cultural Village? That was where we spent the third and final day in the Free State, experiencing another spectacle of nature and learning the culture of an ethnic South African group. The Basotho Cultural Village nestles in the heart of the Qwaqwa Nature Park which recently has been incorporated into the world-renowned Golden Gate Highlands National Park.

The Basotho Cultural Village is a real cultural treasure with a simple and fascinating architecture of the South Sotho and a host of activities which tourists can take part in. The village celebrates the culture and tradition of the Sotho people – huts are built and furnished according to time period and one can enjoy traditional dancing, cuisine and some time with the resident sangoma.

A big highlight of a visit to this cultural village was the various walks in and around the area, including the Matlakeng Herbal Trail. This walking trail takes the visitor on a walk through the grasslands and woodlands, with impressive views of gorgeous sandstone cliffs. An Ngaka (healer) and social ecologist guide visitors and locate an array of roots, herbs, grasses, leaves and bark that have healing properties.

Soon, it was time to pack our bags and move to our next destination, Cape Town, the Mother City.

1D1F to create 250,000 jobs …as 191 projects in 102 districts ready for take off

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As many as 191 companies have been identified under the One Disctrict, One Factory initiative to undertake projects in 102 districts, with the potential of creating 250,000 jobs when implemented.

“The Ministry of Trade and Industry completed technical, financial and commercial viability analysis of 462 proposals, out of which 191, covering 102 Districts, were selected for implementation,” Finance Minister, ken Ofori-Atta, said.

“It is envisaged that these 191 District Enterprise Projects will collectively generate about 250,000 direct and indirect jobs,” he said.

Government, he said at the 2018 budget presentation, will allocate a minimum of GH¢2 million to each district for the implementation of the programme.

He said 104 of these companies will be operating in the Agribusiness sector; 20 in the Meat and Poultry sector; 40 in the Construction and Building Materials sub-sector; and the remaining 27 are businesses in the Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals sectors.

The regional breakdown of the companies are as follows: Ashanti 35, Brong Ahafo 19, Central 21, Eastern 34, Greater Accra 28, Northern 17, Upper East 4, Upper West 5, Western 10, and Volta 18.

Government has emphasised that the One District, One Factory programme will be a vehicle to revive the country’s ailing manufacturing sector, and add value to agriculture.

Besides the One District, One Factory initiative, the Akufo-Addo government has said it will pursue an aggressive industrialisation agenda that should further create jobs.

As part of making that vision possible, the Finance Minister said government is proposing, for the consideration of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission, reductions in electricity tariffs for all consumers categories.

Medium- to heavy-users are in line to benefit from tariff reductions of between 13 to 21 percent. The reductions are expected to incentivise the factories that are expected to be established as part of the One District, One Factory initiative.

Also, a stimulus programme designed to support viable existing local companies that are currently distressed or are facing operational challenges but are deemed viable has, so far, received over 350 applications from business operators – out of which 80 were assessed to be eligible for support in the programme’s first phase.

The second phase will involve provision of a stimulus package consisting of technical and financial support to these eligible companies.

Mr. Ofori-Atta also told Parliament that next year, over 100,000 graduates will be taken on by government for implementation of the Nation Builders Corps programme which, he said, will be a major government initiative to address livelihood empowerment and graduate unemployment to solve economic and social problems.

Under the Nation Builders Corps programme, graduates will be trained, equipped with the necessary work tools, and deployed around the country to be engaged in assisting public service delivery in health, education, agriculture, sanitation; and drive revenue mobilisation and collection.

Golden Star receives PDAC 2018 Environmental & Social Responsibility Award

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Golden Star Resources has been awarded the 2018 Environmental and Social Responsibility Award by the Prospectors and Developments Association of Canada (PDAC).

Selected by PDAC’s Board of Directors, this award recognizes an organization that demonstrates outstanding initiative, leadership, and accomplishment in establishing and maintaining good relations with local communities and in protecting and preserving the natural environment during an exploration program or operation of a mine.

Golden Star will be honored at an awards ceremony to be held during PDAC’s annual convention in Toronto on March 6, 2018.

Sam Coetzer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Golden Star, commenting on the award said Golden Star was very proud to receive the PDAC 2018 Environmental and Social Responsibility Award.

“Responsible mining is at the heart of our company and we are committed to working with the highest level of respect for the communities and environments in which we operate.  Whenever I visit our operations I am humbled by the passion and commitment shown by our team to working in a respectful way and ensuring that a positive and sustainable legacy remains beyond the lives of our operations.

In addition to providing a safe workplace, we invest in infrastructure, medical programs and facilities, employment and skills training, education and agricultural programs.  We are also committed to broadening gender diversity at all levels of our company, with women now strongly represented on our Board, in our management team and in our operations teams,” he said.

He further stated that, “we have had a presence in Ghana for 18 years and we are proud to contribute to the economic growth of the communities, region and country in which we work.  However, this award does not just belong to Golden Star, but to all of our partners in Ghana, and to them I give my deepest thanks for working alongside us to create long term, sustainable value for all of our stakeholders.”

Other recognition for Golden Star’s commitment to corporate responsibility

Golden Star has received several awards for its corporate responsibility efforts in the past.  In 2008 Golden Star was awarded the prestigious Nedbank Capital Green Mining Award for the Company’s creation and continuing support of the Golden Star Oil Palm Plantation (“GSOPP”).

GSOPP is a social enterprise initiative, funded with $1 per ounce of gold produced.  It employs over 700 people and delivers crop yields that are three times the small-holder average in Ghana.

At the 30th National Farmer’s Day Celebrations, GSOPP was recognized with the Best Farm Based Organization Award and a GSOPP participant, Mr. Tuffour Quaicoe, was named Best Oil Palm Farmer.

Golden Star are proud to have been recognized at the Minerals Commission annual awards in the categories of Best Rescue Mine, Best Safe Mine Based on Accident Statistics, Best Mine based on HSE Audit and Best Improved Mine based on Occupational Injury Performance, with our operations rating first, second or third in all of these categories since 2014.

Additionally, the Minerals Commission recognized the Wassa Gold Mine (“Wassa”) team with three successive annual wins in the national Mines Safety and First Aid Competition from 2014-2016.

Wassa’s Health and Safety Superintendent, Shamsudeen Sidi Adam, was also presented with the first ever Excellence Achievement award for managing the Wassa team during its three years as champions.

At the inaugural Ghana Mining Industry Awards gala in 2015, Wassa won the Best Performance in Occupational Health and Safety, and underlined this performance in 2016 as first runner up in the category.

Golden Star also achieved recognition at the Ghana Mining Awards in 2016 as first runner up in the category of Corporate Social Investment Project of the Year for the company’s Prestea South Mbease Nsuta Community Benefit and Value Retention Initiative.

Through this project, Golden Star supported the formation and licensing of Local Companies in Mining Services (“LOCOMS”) as a parent company for 18 locally registered companies. The initiative successfully enhances opportunities for smaller local companies to grow and become more competitive in regards to the provision of mining supply and support services.

To date, LOCOMS companies have employed over 250 people directly since its inception, and have been paid over $11m.  In 2016, over 84% of the value of Golden Star Ghana’s goods and services was provided by Ghanaian companies.

The Company’s Community Relations and Social Responsibility Manager for the Prestea mine, Robert Gyamfi, was also given an award by the Ministry of Trade and Industry in 2016 for his contribution towards the development of a national corporate social responsibility policy for Ghana.

Newmont to create 26,600 agro-based jobs

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In an effort to free the Newmont Ahafo Mine concession from illegal mining activities, Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL) has initiated steps to create an alternative means of livelihood for the illegal miners.

The agro-based initiative is expected to create about 26,600 jobs in the first five years. The company said it will partner agencies like the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur International Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in the implementation process.

“From a developed economic feasibility study, we have selected three crops – cassava, maize and plantain – for the job revolution. It is estimated that within the first five years of the initiative, it will create about 26,000 farmer-based jobs and 500 to 600 agro processing jobs at peak period,” Derrick Boateng, Newmont’s Senior Manager for Sustainability and External Relations, said.

Years before Newmont started mining, cultivation of cassava, maize and plantain was among the major economic activities in the two host districts of Newmont Ahafo Mine-Asutifi North and Tano North.

Many of the farmers have lost their source of livelihood to mining, pushing a number of them, especially the youth, into illegal mining.

Efforts to revive the agribusiness sector there will really activate the desired diversification of the local economy.

Speaking to the B&FT during a visit to Newmont Ahafo Mine by members of the Journalists for Business Advocacy (JBA), Mr. Boateng revealed that the company will tap into government’s ‘One District, One Factory’ programme to consolidate the fortunes of the proposed agro factories.

“We will not only set agro-based processing companies but move further to create market linkages for the communities.  In the long term, we hope to add on crops like cashew and tomatoes. This will create more employment opportunities for the locals here,” he added.

Over the years, the company has been pushing to create local employment and business opportunities.

Newmont is of the belief that building local industrial capacity is one of the most effective ways to translate mining-induced development into diverse economic growth.

In the last decade, it has been collaborating with the government, host communities and local enterprises in that direction.

One of its flagship interventions is the Ahafo Linkages Programme (ALP), which is a partnership programme with the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Its aim is to develop local micro, small and medium-sized enterprises that provide goods and services to the mine as well as facilitating the development of non-mining businesses to support a diversified local economy.

Gov’t to create 38 new districts …as Parliament begins consideration of LI

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The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) has laid a Legislative Instrument (LI) before Parliament for the creation of 38 districts in Ghana.

The Minister for the MLGRD, Hajia  Alima Mahama, was in Parliament yesterday and presented papers seeking the legislative arm of government to allow for the creation of new districts.

The Minister did so on the bases of Article 241 (1) of the 1992 Constitution, which states that for the purposes of local government, Ghana shall be deemed to have been divided into the districts in existence immediately before the coming into force of the Constitution.

 Furthermore, the constitution stipulates that Parliament may by law make provision for the redrawing of the boundaries of districts or for reconstituting the districts.

In that regard, the House passed the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936) to allow for the creation of new districts in the country.

Section 1 (2) of the said Act dictates that, “the President may by Executive Instrument (a) declare any area within the country to be a district and (b) assign a name to the district.”

Against that backdrop Ahafo Ano South West District Assembly, Ahafo Ano South East District Assembly, Amansie South District Assembly, Akrofroum District Assembly, Adansi North District Assembly would be created.

Also, Amansie West District District Assembly, Atwima Nwabiagya North District Assembly, Adansi South District Assembly, Adansi Asokwa District Assembly, Obuasi East District Assembly would be established.

Furthermore, Afigya Kwabre South District Assembly, Afigya Kwabre North District Assembly, Pru West District Assembly, Berekum West District Assembly, ASSIN North District Assembly would be created.

However, Gomoa Central District Assembly, Gomoa East District Assembly, Asene Manso District Assembly, Okere District Assembly, Atiwa West District Assembly, Atwima East District Assembly have been listed.

Again, Fanteakwa South District Assembly, Fanteakwa North District Assembly, Nanton District Assembly, Bunkpurugu District Assembly, Yunyoo District Assembly, Bolga East District Assembly, Garu District Assembly, and Tempane District Assembly have been proposed to Parliament for establishment.

The move is to deepen the democratic and governance system in the country, the Minister told the media in an interview.

Places where the district are big should be divided into other districts, but that needs a legislative instrument because you will be changing boundaries, the Minister told journalists in Parliament after laying the paper.

“So we have some districts that the President has elevated into municipal standards. In those instances they are not new assemblies, we are just elevating their status,” she observed.

The LI, as presented to Parliament requires 21 days for maturity, from which time the Ministry could start any preparation towards the establishment.

Ghana to export 100MW of electricity to Burkina Faso daily

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Ghana will supply Burkina Faso with 100MW of electricity daily after completion of the 225kva Bolgatanga-Ouaguadougou interconnection project, William Owuraku Aidoo, a Deputy Minister of Energy, has said.

Ghana has been supplying power to Burkina Faso, albeit in smaller quantities, since 2003; moving up from 0.5MW to 9.2MW in 2013. However, Burkina Faso has requested a further increase in power supply as part of its developmental plans.

“Now, it’s got to a point that the good people of Burkina Faso have decided to embark on a developmental agenda and Ghana has agreed to supply power to the tune of 100MW in total to Burkina Faso,” the Deputy Minister, who is in charge of power, said.

“We’ve started by installing transmission lines from Bolgatanga to Burkina, to start with, that will supply power in the region of 50MW” he added.

A second transmission line from Aboadze, through Kumasi to Bolgatanga, will carry the second installment of 50MW to Burkina Faso and is expected to be completed by early 2018.

The minister made this known when a Burkinabe delegation, led by that country’s Minster of Energy, Professor Alfa Oumar Diss, paid a courtesy call on him at his office. The visit, among other things, was to discuss the status of the 225kV Bolgatanga –Ouagadougou Project, which is part of the West African Power Pool Project (WAPP), expected to create a power grid system across West Africa.

William Owuraku Aidoo also revealed that the two sides held discussions around the extension of a petroleum pipeline from Buipe in the Northern Region to Bingo in Burkina Faso.

If constructed, the pipeline, will help curb the problem of smuggling by transporting finished petroleum products directly to Burkina Faso.

Minister of Energy for Burkina Faso explained that the increase in purchase of power from Ghana was synonymous to his country’s development agenda and that the construction of transmission lines, is part of a regulatory framework to ensure the efficient transfer of power or energy exchange between West African countries as is done in some European countries.

“Burkina Faso is developing solar and maybe in 10years, we can have excess energy in the day which we can also bring to Ghana,” he said.

Alfa Oumar Diss also revealed plans to construct a second dam on the Bagre river, to help resolve the problem of flooding that affects Ghanaian farmers along the White Volta basin.

He said the Bagre dam was poorly designed and therefore could not fully solve the problem of flooding during spillage from over capacity.

“We have the first dam of 16MW which was under-designed such that the extra water discharged to Ghana is more than that remaining in the dam, disturbing farmers in Ghana,” he said.

He was optimistic that, with the construction of a second dam, the perennial flooding will be resolved and Burkina Faso can also increase its power supply as a result.

The flooding of towns along the White Volta in Ghana has been an issue of grave concern as lives and property have been lost in the past. Areas worst affected by the flooding over the years include Savelugu Nanton, Tolon, Kumbungu and West Mamprusi.

As part of the visit, Alfa Oumar Dissa and his Burkinabe delegation also visited the project site of the 225kV transmission lines to inspect the state of work on the WAPP project.

The 225 kV Bolgatanga (Ghana) – Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) Interconnection project is a trans-boundary electric power transmission line to emanate from Bolgatanga in Ghana to Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso. It involves the construction of approximately 200 kilometers of simple circuit transmission lines to export energy from Ghana to Burkina Faso.

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LUSPA unveils new framework to strengthen spatial governance   

 By Sandra Agyeiwaa OTOO The Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA) under the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA) has launched...

Petroleum Commission confirms plans for Voltaian Basin

By Juliet Aguiar DUGBARTEY, Sekondi Acting Chief Executive Officer-Petroleum Commission Victoria Emeafa Hardcastle has announced that the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) will drill two...

Thamar Victoria Afedu-Annan: Leading a movement of health and nutrition

By Samuel SAM Education has been a hallmark for critical reasoning and empowerment for the youth contributing to the development of the nation. Though some attend...

Nestlé honours consumer loyalty at NIDO Obaatanpa Mo grand finale

Nestlé Ghana Ltd. has proudly celebrated and rewarded its loyal consumers at the grand finale of the NIDO Obaatanpa Mo Promotion's 2nd edition, expressing...

Lightwave sets the record straight: The real story behind e-health system controversy

When the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, took to the floor of Parliament and later the Presidency’s Accountability Series to speak about Ghana’s...
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