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Vice President inaugurates boards of three development authorities

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Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia Tuesday inaugurated new governing boards of the three development authorities at the Jubilee House in Accra.

These are the Coastal, Middle Belt, and Northern development authorities.

He called on them to work collaboratively with the ministries, departments,   agencies, and the assemblies for joint monitoring and evaluation of projects to prevent duplication and ensure efficient utilisation of resources.

The authorities are special vehicles established by the government to spearhead development in each of the 275 constituencies.

They have been allocated a cedi equivalent of one million US dollars to ensure equitable and inclusive distribution of infrastructure nationwide.

Vice President Bawumia said over 5,000 infrastructure projects have been initiated by these authorities since their establishment in 2017.

The projects included school blocks, community water systems, clinics, markets, small dug-out dams, Astro-turfs and water closet facilities across the country.

Some of these projects have been completed and commissioned for use while work is ongoing for others.

The Vice President said investing in infrastructure projects at all levels was one of the surest approaches to developing a nation.

He, therefore, urged the new boards and managements to identify innovative sources of funding through private partnerships and other stakeholders for implementation of more projects and completion of the ongoing ones.

He also asked them to label their projects to prevent ambiguity over the sources of funding.

Madam Clara Napaga Tia Sulemana, the National Coordinator, Special Development Authority Secretariat, entreated the boards and managements to work closely to achieve the mandates of the authorities.

Mr Alex Kwaku Korankye, the Board Chairman, Middle Belt Development Authority, on behalf of the three authorities, expressed gratitude to the President for the confidence reposed in them and pledged to work assiduously to achieve their objectives.

The Coastal Development Authority is chaired by Mr Edmund Annan with Mr Jerry Ahmed Shaib as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Mr Alex Kwaku Korankye and Mr Joe Danquah are the Board Chairman and the CEO, respectively, of the Middle Belt Development Authority.

The Northern Development Authority has Dr Sulemana Abdulai as Board Chairman and Alhaji Sumaila Abdul-Rahman, the CEO.

The authorities currently operate under the Special Development Initiative Secretariat of the Office of the President.

Loyal Patriots supports Majority Caucus’ call for removal of Finance Minister

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The Loyal Patriots, a youth group within the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), has declared support for the Majority Caucus in Parliament’s call on the President to either remove or reassign Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, the Minister of Finance.

A statement issued collectively by Maxwell Agyei-Nyanor, Secretary; Mr CDK Opoku, Public Relations Officer and Bernard Okere Opoku, Chairman of Loyal Patriots, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, declared the Group’s support for the Majority Caucus.

It called for a total “overhaul” of the Ministers in President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s Government, particularly the Ministers of Finance, Agriculture and Trade and Industry.

The statement said on 4th July 2022, the Loyal Patriots issued a press release urging the President to reshuffle his ministers and some heads of State agencies.

It said on 1st August, another youth group in the NPP, AFFA, also issued a press release asking the President to reshuffle his government.

It noted that prior to those official releases, some Party bigwigs had made similar calls but were not heeded and stressed that it was time the President reshuffled his government.

Art of Leadership: Take Responsibility and Give Account

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Bishop Dag Heward-Mills

What you must realize is that every leader will give account for what he or she is doing. Are you ready to account to God for the sheep he gave you? Jesus kept on saying that he had lost none of the sheep except the son of perdition. Paul kept saying that he would have to give account.

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Hebrews 13:17

Leadership is a great responsibility. I remember years ago, I watched as several heads of state and ministers of state were executed by a firing squad. It was pathetic to see important people being humiliated and murdered. The ordinary citizen in his home received no such treatment. This was because the ordinary man had not taken up the responsibility of ruling the country. However, those who had taken up responsibility had to pay with their lives.

If you are conscious of the reality that you will account for your leadership you will discover that you will become a better leader. Always remember that the day of accountability is coming. This will make you do the right thing. I am constantly aware that I will give account for the call of God on my life. I know that I will have to account for the sheep in my churches. This is why I make great efforts to look after them.

Are you a leader? Are you constantly thinking of your day of accountability? Please do! You will be transformed into a natural and effective leader.

Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua, Minister of Hydrocarbons, Republic of Congo Honored with Mohammed S. Barkindo Lifetime Achievement Award at African Energy Week (AEW) 2022

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Bruno Jean Richard Itoua, Minister of Hydrocarbons, Republic of Congo and the 2022 President of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was one of the five winners of the Mohammad S. Barkindo Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2022 edition of the African Energy Awards, which took place during African Energy Week (AEW) (https://www.AECWeek.com/) on October 18 – 21 in Cape Town.

The Mohammad S. Barkindo Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes companies, organizations, projects and individuals shaping Africa’s energy market success and the selection of Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua by a panel of judges, including representatives from Rystad Energy – a leading global energy market research firm – and the Advisory Board of the African Energy Chamber (AEC), as one of the 2022 winners is a strong testament of the Minister’s dedication and exceptional achievements in driving Congo’s energy market growth, ensuring global energy security and economic expansion across the African continent at the back of optimal development and exploitation of oil and gas resources.

As the Minister of Hydrocarbons for the Republic of Congo, H.E Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua has driven industry maximization through the enactment of a series of policy reforms, and upstream, midstream and downstream expansion campaigns such as the Gas Master Plan as well as local content and capacity building programs aimed at boosting the Central African country’s entire hydrocarbon sector for gross domestic product growth and energy security.

As a result, Congo is set to be one of the next countries to join the list of Africa’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) producers through massive LNG developments, such as the Litchendjili Gas Project, currently underway and transitioning the country not only into regional clean energy powerhouse but into a global gas hub.

Prior to his current role as Minister of Hydrocarbons Bruno Jean Richard Itou served as Director-General of the National Oil Company of Congo, Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo and Adviser for Hydrocarbons, Mines, Energy, and Hydraulics to President Denis Sassou Nguesso, where he led significant accomplishments in regards to boosting hydrocarbons exploration, production and monetization in Congo.

As OPEC President, the Minister continues to demonstrate his commitment to ensuring global energy security, oil and gas market stability and that energy poverty is history across the African continent by 2030.

Under the leadership of Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua, petroleum-producing countries and OPEC members have in 2022 maximized market resilience to industry challenges including the energy transition, Russian-Ukraine war and the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy. The Minister is strongly campaigning for a pan-African energy transition and unity among African policymakers, energy companies, investors and market players to accelerate the development and adoption of local policies and solutions to addressing local challenges if Africa is to lift 600 million of its people out of energy poverty whilst providing 900 million with access to clean cooking.

“The Chamber strongly agrees with and supports the selection of Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua as one of the winners of the Mohammed S. Barkindo Lifetime Achievement Award at AEW 2022. Owing to his dedication, Congo and Africa’s oil and gas industry is what it is today. With the continent seeking to maximize the exploitation of its vast hydrocarbon resources, leaders such as Bruno Jean-Richard Itous will be crucial in driving the next-generation market expansion,” states NJ Ayuk, the Executive Chairman of the AEC.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Week (AEW).

SOURCE
African Energy Week (AEW)

AU provides USD 400,000 for health system strengthening in five member states

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The African Union (AU) has provided 400,000 US dollars for the strengthening of health systems in five member states under a project named, “Project Bijimin”.  

The project, which will be carried out in Burundi, Central Africa Republic (CAR), Chad, Lesotho, and South Sudan, is expected to scale up the numbers of Community Health Workers (CHW), ensure that they are better renumerated, trained, and skilled to efficiently discharge their functions. 

It will be implemented by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA) for two years after, which it will be scaled up to other member states. 

Dr Janet Byaruhanga, Head of Health Unit, AUDA, who was speaking at a knowledge sharing session in Accra to kick start the project in the selected countries on Tuesday, said, “Project ‘Bijimin’ is a Hausa word which means Bull”. 

“Bijimin was chosen to represent the formation of a strong, resilient and unwavering healthcare system in the five countries,” she said. 

Dr Byaruhanga said the countries were selected because they had a unique healthcare system, which was mainly weak, and that the project would improve community health workforce in the countries to deliver better healthcare to the people. 

Project Bijimin will champion the promotion of exercise, palliative care, maternal, child and men’s health, adolescent health, the use of first aid, communicable and non-communicable diseases by CHW in communities. 

She said Project Bijimin would provide community education on the diseases and other health issues that affected them, as well as prioritise the training and upscaling the knowledge of the health workers. 

“We intend to at the end of the project see the provision of better renumeration for community health workers, improved knowledge, attitudes, and practices of beneficiary communities towards health issues,” she said. 

Dr Byaruhanga said the project would encourage countries to invest in community health care workers for sustainability purposes. 

She explained that the programme was organised in Ghana to enable the selected AU countries to learn from best healthcare practices and strategies in Ghana to strengthen theirs.  

Dr Byaruhanga stressed the need for countries to invest in primary health care, saying, “Primary health care when done well, promotes overall health and wellbeing at all levels”. 

His Excellency Museveni Receives Credentials from Danish Ambassador

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H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, this afternoon received credentials from the New Danish Ambassador, H.E Signe Winding Albjerg.

 

They gave our government our first 20 milk coolers which we used to encourage people to produce milk for money and not only consumption

Welcoming her Excellency, President Museveni said Uganda has enjoyed a good relationship with Denmark for a long time.

“Denmark has been our partner in the area of milk production. They gave our government our first 20 milk coolers which we used to encourage people to produce milk for money and not only consumption”, he said

“I put the first milk cooler in Rushere which changed people’s livelihood. Now, there are over 50 of them in just Rushere”, the President added.

Mr. Museveni also thanked the Danish government for supporting Uganda in managing refugees.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Republic of Uganda – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

SOMOIL Announces Ambitious Growth Plan at African Energy Week 2022

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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, October 25, 2022/ — SOMOIL, the single largest and first privately held 100% Angolan capital company to operate in Angola’s oil and gas sector, has an ambitious growth plan that will see the company enhance its competitiveness while doubling investment and production. Speaking during the premier energy event for the African oil and gas sector, African Energy Week (www.AECWeek.com) 2022, SOMOIL CEO, Edson dos Santos, made clear the company’s developmental agenda, providing insight into SOMOIL’s growth plan in 2022 and beyond.

For its part, SOMOIL has already made significant progress towards expanding Angola’s oil and gas sector, with the company representing the largest privately held Angolan oil company, operating three blocks which has the capacity to produce up to 50,000 barrels per day (bpd). As a partner on blocks 3.05, 3.05A, 4.05 and 17.05, and boasting a workforce of 270 employees strong, SOMOIL has been instrumental in opening up the sector both for international partners and local communities.

Now, the company is focused on expanding its footprint even further with an ambitious growth plan and targets of improving environmental, social and corporate responsibility; increasing production across all three blocks and driving profitable growth across the company’s portfolio; while scaling up human resource development through training and skills transfer. As such, dos Santos emphasized that SOMOIL is committed to not only accelerating the company’s production and profitability, but ensuring energy sector developments translate into tangible and actionable opportunities for local communities.

Meanwhile, notwithstanding the company’s ambitious oil and gas objectives, SOMOIL is focused on increasing reserve replacement ratio (RRR) distribution as well as its renewable energy portfolio, thereby ensuring profitable growth that aligns with climate change policies and emission reduction strategies. On the RRR front, SOMOIL is acquiring TotalEnergies 20% interest in Block 14 as well as an 8.25% and 10% interest in Block 18 and Block 31, respectively. Meanwhile, the company is working on creating between 25 and 40 gas stations as well as investing between $27 million and $44 million over the next five years in the retail space. On the renewables front, SOMOIL has prioritized rural electrification as well as off grid opportunities and social responsibility.

In order for the company to realize these growth objectives, SOMOIL has put in place a sustainable growth plan that includes a change in governance, whereby the company has created a public affairs and compliance area and is improving contracting and internal processes; aligning and receiving increased support from government through improvements in contractual terms and conditions; and is offering robust financials which are expected to be strengthened further in 2022.

As such, the foundations that are being laid for a path of growth and profitability are set to lead the company into the capital markets. By 2030, SOMOIL is committed to increasing production up to 80,000 bpd, establishing itself as an international player in mature fields and deepwater operations; and ensuring the company becomes a driving force behind the energy transition in Angola. For Africa’s biggest oil producer, SOMOIL’s growth agenda promises a new era of exploration and production as well as clean energy investment while for SOMOIL, the opportunity to become a global energy player.

SOURCE
African Energy Week (AEW)

Karpowership Ghana awards scholarships to Takoradi Technical University Students

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Karpowership Ghana Company Limited has awarded scholarships to 20 brilliant but needy students at the Takoradi Technical University (TTU) in the Western Region.

 

The beneficiaries are students offering civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering programmes.

They were selected through a competitive process that saw over 100 students apply.

 

The applicants were screened and the top 20 were eventually selected to benefit from the scholarship scheme.

 

The company will pay the beneficiaries tuition fees and other educational expenses.

 

The Corporate Communications Manager of Karpowership Ghana, Ms. Sandra Amarquaye, said the objective of the scholarship scheme was to support brilliant but needy students to continue pursuing tertiary-level education.

 

She said the company was passionate about helping Ghana meet Sustainable Development Goal 4 on ensuring improved access to quality education.

Ms. Amarquaye said the Karpowership TTU Scholarship Scheme will also offer opportunities to beneficiary students to undertake internship programmes with the company when they are on vacation.

 

“We would want these students to have a practical feel of what they are studying in class, our aim is to impact lives wherever we operate,” she said.

The Vice-chancellor of the university, Rev Prof John Frank Eshun, expressing his gratitude to Karpowership for the gesture, advised the beneficiaries to justify the support received by focusing on their books.

 

He said, “this gesture by Karpowership is a clear indication that you share in the vision in the vision of Takoradi Technical University, that is poised to be a world class technical University recognized for execellence innovation and societal relevance”.

 

A beneficiary of the Karpowership TTU Scholarship Scheme Stephanie Larbie expressed appreciation to Karpowership Ghana for granting them the opportunity to be part of their scholarship programme aimed at shaping their future positively.

 

Other officials present at the event included Pro Vice chancellor prof Victor Kweku Bonzie Micah, the Registrar Dr Moses Maclean Abnory and the Director of Finance Dr Gabriel Sam Ahinful.

United Nations remains relevant for global peace, development — Ayorkor Botchwey

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Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, says the United Nations (UN) remains an important Organisation in maintaining global peace and development. 

She said the Organisation was as relevant as it was when the nations of the world emerged from the scourge of war years ago. 

Speaking at a Flag-raising ceremony in Accra to commemorate the 77th UN Day, on Tuesday, the Foreign Affairs Minister, however, called for a renewed organisational purpose to achieve world peace and security and promote sustainable development. 

The UN, in recent times, has come under ‘fire’ amid global health and security crisis, and especially, with recent invasion of Ukraine by Russia, with many questioning its relevance. 

Madam Ayorkor Botchwey indicated that the challenges facing the world today, including COVID-19, conflict and climate change, were problems that no single country could solve alone, requiring unity and solidarity. 

“That makes the Organisation we celebrate today the indispensable forum for making our world for all our people,” she said, adding that: “The United Nations is as relevant as it was when the nations of the world emerged from the scourge of war some 77 years ago.” 

“Today, there is no doubt that renewing its purpose, even as we celebrate many achievements, is key to international peace and security, human rights and sustainable development,” she explained. 

The Flag-raising ceremony was attended by the diplomatic community in Ghana. 

Madam Ayorkor Botchwey hoisted the Ghana flag, while that of the UN was done by  Mr Charles Abani, the UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana. 

This year’s anniversary was marked on the theme: “Building on the 3Ss— Solidarity, Sustainability and Science— towards a more resilient Ghana”. 

Madam Ayorkor Botchwey noted that Ghana, like many parts of the world, economic and financial challenges had eroded some gains made towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

She assured that Ghana would work with the international community to build a resilient economy to benefit Ghanaians and contribute to global prosperity. 

The Foreign Affairs Minister also indicated that government had instituted some austerity measures this year to ease pressures on the economy, adding that it was also implementing policies to guarantee constant supply of petroleum products despite the global supply challenges. 

She underscored the need for collaboration among local and foreign stakeholders to ensure rapid recovery, stability and resilience. 

“Both the vision of the United Nations and recent global experiences reinforce the conclusion that in an interdependent world, we must have an interest in the success of each and every individual, if we are to have a resilient communities and societies,” she indicated. 

Mr Charles Abani, UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, said the Day was important to reinforce the partnership between the UN and Ghanaians, as well as underscore the need for “Solidarity, Sustainability and Science”. 

He explained that the current global crisis of COVID-19, climate change, biodiversity loss and conflicts had revealed the importance of solidarity as key to finding innovative solutions. 

“We worked together to overcome the pandemic and we need to work together today to find lasting solutions to the numerous global challenges,” he said. 

Mr Abani, while assuring the UN’s support, urged the government to invest in Science and Technology to help bridge the development gap between and within countries, regions and areas. 

Mr Anani Yao Kuwornu, Interim President, Ghana United Nations Students and Youth Association (GUNSA), assured of the youth’s determination to support national development through innovation, Technology and Science. 

He added that GUNSA would strengthen its collaboration and partnership with the UN and the government to promote awareness creation on the SDGs. 

Cedi depreciation clear reflection of weak structures, non-competitive trade sector – GCB Bank MD

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The Managing Director of GCB Bank PLC, Kofi Adomakoh, says the continuous depreciation of the Cedi—is a clear reflection of the country’s weak economic structures and a non-competitive trade sector.

The Cedi has already lost over 50 percent of its value to the dollar and other major trading currencies, imposing hardship on individuals and businesses alike.

Speaking at the 11TH Ghana Economic Forum theme: ‘Building a robust ad resilient economy through technology, finance, investment, trade and entrepreneurship’ Mr. Adomakoh observed that the elevated risks of debt distress, triggered by the depreciation of the Cedi had led to a widespread reversal of capital, leaving the external balances in a vulnerable state and FX reserves under some serious pressure.

“The high inflation and exchange rate pressures continue to erode businesses’ working capital, not to mention that the rising cost of credit has caused lenders to significantly review lending frameworks in response to current economic uncertainties,” he stated in a remark delivered on his behalf by Sam Kwame Yedu Aidoo, the GCB Bank’s Executive Director, Wholesale and Investment Banking.

Mr. Adomakoh, is, therefore, calling for the institution of immediate measures to resolve the continuous depreciation of the Cedi saying: “We should never allow such a serious crisis to go to waste.”

“As Ghanaians we are faced with a glaring opportunity to pull together in a bid to restructure our economy from a service-driven one, and instead build a robust and resilient one through Technology, Finance, Investment, Trade and Entrepreneurship,” he added.

For him, there must be a deliberate focus to collectively invest in priority sectors to develop Ghana into an Agro processing and light manufacturing led economy, in essence, an approach that may not require significant capital and yet is more labor intensive to provide the needed employment to our youth.

“It is time for a concerted use of Technology to drive revenue collection, bring down costs of doing business as well as breaking down silos across all facets of the economy.  Eliminating silos with digital technology is certainly the key to better collaboration.

Only a few years on from when the mobile money payment interoperability was launched in 2018, the benefits are clear for all to see. With a single integration with the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement System (GhIPSS), an entity can reach All banks, Mobile Money Operators, Savings and loans companies and Rural banks too,” he stated.

The move, he stated will significantly reduce barriers to market for fintechs and financial institutions new to the market.  “It is important that the third phase of this project by GhIPSS, which will now bring the focus to the interoperability of Agents and Merchants be pursued.  Silos are indeed the enemy of digital transformation,” he stated.

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