Bawumia: Private sector central to Ghana-Guyana partnership success

 The Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has said the success of the growing strategic partnership between Ghana and Guyana would hinge to a very large extent on the productive participation of the private sector.

Addressing a joint consultation meeting between government officials, captains of industry and other private sector players from Ghana and Guyana in Georgetown, Guyana, Dr Bawumia indicated that though trade between the two countries has historically not been very high due to varied reasons, the recent upsurge in economic growth in the respective economies has provided the enabling environment for the private sector to enhance commercial ties between the two countries.

According to him, it is their expectation therefore that the private sector through an innovative approach would partner with government to create sustainable growth by focusing on the pillars of development for economic prosperity.

He added: “The Ghana government welcomes the increasing collaboration between private sector operators from the two countries aimed at identifying potential investments and addressing the persistent trade imbalances in our ties.”

Dr Bawumia is currently on a three-day official visit to Guyana.

….DR. BAWUMIA….

The President of Guyana, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, also said that the strategic partnership was being facilitated at the highest levels of government, and assured the private sector of a speedy resolution of any challenges they might face.

….MOHAMMED ALI….

 

GHS10m for Keta Sea Defense Project extremely inadequate – ASEPA to gov't

The Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) has rejected the GHS10 million allocation made for the feasibility and engineering studies on the Keta Sea Defense Project in the 2022 budget.

Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta at his press conference on Monday, December 6, 2021, said in respect of the unfortunate tidal waves which rendered about 3,000 people homeless in Keta, the government shall make the necessary budgetary allocations of at least GHS10 million to complete the Feasibility and Engineering studies for the coastal communities adversely affected.

He said the government will broaden the scope of the study to consider a more comprehensive solution to protect Ghana’s 540 Km of coastline, including the 149 Km between Aflao and Prampram.

According to the Executive Director of ASEPA, Mensah Thompson, the amount allocated as announced by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta today is extremely inadequate.

He added that, the GHC10Million cedis allocated to the Keta Sea Defense Project after the deadly disaster is extremely inadequate and the fact that the GHC10Million is also going to finance just the feasibility studies alone without any proper plan to finance the actual sea defense structure that would protect the inhabitants of Keta from another disaster is extremely disingenuous.

…..ASEPA FIRST…..

Mensah Thompson again said, the only e- levy they want is 0% e-levy.

On the benchmark values, he disclosed that, the traders and importers have made it clear, that it would make Ghana’s port uncompetitive, it's removal would create a withdrawal effect that would move traffic away to neighboring free and cheaper ports and it’s effect on prices of commodities and inputs for industries could also move the general prices of goods and services in the country up and therefore should be maintained as it is, government must listen to these legitimate concerns and that should reflect in the amended budget.

…..ASEPA SECOND…..

NDC expresses surprise over bench warrant for Jomoro MP’s arrest

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Western Region says it is surprised at the decision of a High Court in Sekondi to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of the Member of Parliament for Jomoro, Dorcas Toffey.

The decision by the court follows the failure of the MP, who is a respondent in a case initiated by one Emmanuel Kwofie, challenging her eligibility to contest the parliamentary elections in Jomoro to appear in court.

Joshua Emuah Kofie, a resident of Nuba-Mpataba in the Jomoro Constituency, accused the MP of holding dual citizenship prior to the 2020 election.

The Western regional Secretary of the NDC, Richard Kirk Mensah speaking to the media said the MP will appear in court on Thursday since the case has been adjourned to 9th December 2021.

According to him, they are extremely surprised about yesterday’s [Monday] ruling. Prior to the sitting yesterday [Monday], the lawyer for the MP, Mr. Edudzi Tamakloe served notice to the court that because of other official engagements in the Court of Appeal, she wouldn’t be available in court thus wrote an official letter pleading that the case is adjourned, and the attached documents prove it.”

He added that, they were surprised that, despite the lawyer’s appeal which he attached letters to approve, the Judge ignored all the documents and made the judgment in issuing the warrant.

He however assured supporters of the party that everything is under control.

….KIRK MENSAH…..

 

 

Finance Minister submits 2022 budget modifications details to Speaker

Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta has submitted the 2022 budget modifications details to the parliament house today.

The proposals include amendments of paragraphs 442 and 443 of the Agyapa Royalties Ltd to take out references to mineral royalties’ collateralization.

Also, the government’s decision to make the necessary budgetary allocations of at least GHC10 million to complete the Feasibility and Engineering studies for the coastal communities adversely affected by the tidal waves.

Relating to the Aker Energy transaction, the government would amend paragraph 829 of the 2022 Budget on the acquisition of a stake from Aker Energy and AGM Petroleum by GNPC, to reflect the resolution of Parliament dated 6th July 2021 that “the terms and conditions of the loan for the acquisition of the shares shall be brought to Parliament for consideration pursuant to article 181 of the Constitution.

But Minority Leader, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu speaking at the floor of Parliament said, the Finance Minister should submit whatever he has written to the Speaker to the parliament before is been debated on.

According to him, they want to know what was detailed in the said letter because is the property of the house.

….HARUNA IDDRISU…..

Deputy Majority Chief Leader, Hon. Afenyo Markin also said, the Majority do not oppose the directives from the Minority demanding the letter from the Speaker.

The first Deputy Speaker, Hon. Joseph Owusu approved the motion for the letter to be laid before the parliament house.

….AFENYO MARKIN…..

Boyfriend sets mother of two on fire at Nkawkaw

A 30-year-old mother of two kids has been burnt to death at Nkawkaw Kurofofrom in the Eastern Region.

Elder sister of the deceased, Grace Adomaa, said their family never supported the relationship of her younger sister with the suspect.

According to her, there have been several misunderstandings between the suspect, Foster Onwona and the deceased, the situation sometimes gets violent with cutlasses and some of these cases are reported to the police.

She added that, the suspect is already married and the family didn’t approve their union which urged him to allegedly set the room they were living in with the daughter ablaze.

She disclosed that, the nine year old daughter of the deceased who survived the attack is in a critical condition at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

The suspect is currently on the run, however, the Nkawkaw Police Command has commenced investigations into the matter.

…..GRACE ADOMAA…..