The Vice-President, Mr. John Mahama, has advised chiefs in the three regions of the North to seek expert advise in the valuation of their lands to ensure the lands are optimally exploited for the benefit of the people.
He said massive investment in agriculture by the government in the northern regions of the country and the planned implementation of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA), had heightened investor interest the three northern regions.
“It is, therefore, necessary to seek expert advise to gauge the true value of our lands….and to ensure our local folks are not displaced due to the allocation of large tracts of land to investors,” he stressed.
Vice-President Mahama said this when he received a memorandum on the SADA from representatives of the three Houses of Chiefs in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions, who called on him at the Castle, Osu, yesterday.
The memorandum, presented by Naa Professor John Nabila, Wulugu-Naba and President of the National House of Chiefs, highlights recommendations of the chiefs with respect to funding, acquisition of land, representation on the SADA Board; and road infrastructure.
The Vice-President stressed that the SADA Bill, which was before Parliament and had already been taken through the Second Reading, would carry out effective land administration and serve as a vehicle for improving infrastructure in the project areas.
“The intention of government in introducing SADA is to create a new ‘growth pole’ in the northern parts of Ghana and create opportunities there to bridge the north-south development gap,” he said.
He stated that though the SADA was yet to be implemented the government had taken steps to improve infrastructure in the northern regions including the road network.
“Already, tenders are going out for road projects in the Upper East and Upper West Regions,” he said and cited the Fufulso-Sawla road project, which he said, would open up the North for economic investments.
Mr. Mahama noted that it was a natural tendency for human beings to move from an area with less economic opportunities to areas that were relatively endowed, stressing that SADA would create a new growth pole to arrest youth migration from the north to the south.
The Vice-President, who received the memorandum on behalf of President J.E.A. Mills, described it as timely and thanked them for their support for the SADA programme. He assured the chiefs that it would be duly forwarded to the President.
Presenting the memorandum, Naa Professor Nabila said the memorandum was prepared at a meeting of over 50 chiefs and elders, representing the three regions of the north on July 10, this year.
At the meeting, he said the chiefs recommended that there needed to be at least, three chiefs selected from the three Houses of Chiefs to be represented on the Board of SADA.
“We further recommended that the start-up funding needed for SADA to take off must be given priority, and a sustainable funding that is reliable should be established for SADA.
We recommend that modalities for streamlining the acquisition of land be developed in partnership with chiefs and other customary land owners in order to avoid complications in speedy implementation of projects involving land.”
In addressing the land question, he said the chiefs pledged their commitment to cooperate with SADA on land issues for accelerated development and become partners in the process. He said the peculiar situation in each traditional area would have to be studied carefully and the modalities for allocating lands would have to be carefully developed.
Story: Irene Atta Donto
19/07/10
Monday, July 26, 2010
Dias Branco considering Ghana as a hub for the African Market
The Vice President, John Dramani Mahama has reiterated that, Ghana is the best place to invest and to reach the over 240 million people living in the West African sub-region. He said Ghana is at the centre of the sub-region and has the necessary regulatory framework to make investors enjoy their dividends. Mr. Mahama said this when the Chief Executive Officer of Dias Branco, Francisco Ivens de Sa Dias Branco led officials from the company to call on him at the castle, Osu. The visit follows the heels of the Vice President’s recent visit to Brazil some months ago.
Dais Branco Group of companies is a leading biscuit and pasta manufacturing companies in Brazil. The company wants to establish its headquarters in Africa and its considering Ghana as their hub. When Dais Branco finally decides on Ghana the company will set up over four hundred million US dollars biscuit and pasta factory and that will create about one thousand jobs for Ghanaians.
The delegation was in the country for a four day official visit to study the viability of establishing the biscuit and pasta factory and also to explore other areas of investment interest.
Mr. Mahama said "Africans in general and Ghanaians in particular eat biscuits, pasta, and bread everyday, and so any investor who will establish a processing plant in the sub-region to process wheat into flour and subsequently to their bi-products will definitely be in good business."
The Chief Executive Officer of Dais Branco, Francisco Ivens de Sa Dias Branco said their company is positioned to do good business in Africa.
He commended Ghana for their openness and forthright and said they will make their decision when they return to Brazil.
Story: Irene Ata-Donto
Dais Branco Group of companies is a leading biscuit and pasta manufacturing companies in Brazil. The company wants to establish its headquarters in Africa and its considering Ghana as their hub. When Dais Branco finally decides on Ghana the company will set up over four hundred million US dollars biscuit and pasta factory and that will create about one thousand jobs for Ghanaians.
The delegation was in the country for a four day official visit to study the viability of establishing the biscuit and pasta factory and also to explore other areas of investment interest.
Mr. Mahama said "Africans in general and Ghanaians in particular eat biscuits, pasta, and bread everyday, and so any investor who will establish a processing plant in the sub-region to process wheat into flour and subsequently to their bi-products will definitely be in good business."
The Chief Executive Officer of Dais Branco, Francisco Ivens de Sa Dias Branco said their company is positioned to do good business in Africa.
He commended Ghana for their openness and forthright and said they will make their decision when they return to Brazil.
Story: Irene Ata-Donto
Ghana Is The Most Safe For Investment - Veep
The Vice President, John Dramani Mahama has once again given the strongest assurance to investors that Ghana is the safest place to invest in within the sub-region. He said government was aware that investors easily shy away from countries, whose legal systems, in particular, were not protective of investments, and that was why the Ghana has adopted various all the legal systems that protect and guarantee local and foreign investments. Mr. Mahama said this on July 8, 2010 at the UK – Ghana business investment forum in London.
He sighted for instance the GIPC Act 478 of 1994 that provides maximum guarantees to all enterprises against expropriation and further allows for the transfer of dividends through authorized dealer banks. He also sighted the bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA) and the Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) of the UK, which Ghana was a signatory and currently reviewing the country’s investment code, which already offers attractive investment incentives.
Speaking under the theme “”Enhancing Economic Growth through Competitiveness, Diversification and Infrastructure Development”, Mr. Mahama said the government recognizes the importance of competition, diversification and infrastructure development in economic growth and the attraction and retention of Foreign Direct Investment and that is why it is imperative for government to do everything within its power to ensure that investors whose contribution to the national economy are enormous are protected and promoted.
He said in 2009, in the wake of the world financial economic crisis, Ghana was able to record an amount of US$ 551.30 million and during the first quarter of 2010 the country has registered projects with the FDI component of US$ 161.34 million, which represents an increase of over 800% for the same period in 2009. He said these were as a result of the government’s commitment to making the investor a partner in development and progress, adding, “In this age of globalization and advancement in Information and Communication Technology, it becomes even more imperative that we develop strategic relationships with our trusted partners in an effort to take full advantage of the vast opportunities available for our mutual benefit”.
Mr. Mahama assured the investors that attended the business forum that Ghana, over the years, has put in great efforts and made sacrifices to create a market economy that is liberalized in accordance with the current global trend.
He urged the investor community to take advantage of the numerous investment opportunities that exist in Ghana, which includes but not limited to the oil and gas sector, energy infrastructure development, agro-processing, manufacturing, tourism, real estate development and information and communication technology.
Ghana high Commissioner to the UK Prof. Kwaku Danso-Boafo in his welcome address said Ghana was poised to receive the genuine investors and expressed the hope that the forum will open Ghana’s investment potential to the rest of the world.
The Chairperson of Africa matters limited Baroness Lynda Chalker commended Ghana for taking a giant stride to invite investors, and expressed her pride in associating with Ghana.
Story: George Azirigo
08/07/10
He sighted for instance the GIPC Act 478 of 1994 that provides maximum guarantees to all enterprises against expropriation and further allows for the transfer of dividends through authorized dealer banks. He also sighted the bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA) and the Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) of the UK, which Ghana was a signatory and currently reviewing the country’s investment code, which already offers attractive investment incentives.
Speaking under the theme “”Enhancing Economic Growth through Competitiveness, Diversification and Infrastructure Development”, Mr. Mahama said the government recognizes the importance of competition, diversification and infrastructure development in economic growth and the attraction and retention of Foreign Direct Investment and that is why it is imperative for government to do everything within its power to ensure that investors whose contribution to the national economy are enormous are protected and promoted.
He said in 2009, in the wake of the world financial economic crisis, Ghana was able to record an amount of US$ 551.30 million and during the first quarter of 2010 the country has registered projects with the FDI component of US$ 161.34 million, which represents an increase of over 800% for the same period in 2009. He said these were as a result of the government’s commitment to making the investor a partner in development and progress, adding, “In this age of globalization and advancement in Information and Communication Technology, it becomes even more imperative that we develop strategic relationships with our trusted partners in an effort to take full advantage of the vast opportunities available for our mutual benefit”.
Mr. Mahama assured the investors that attended the business forum that Ghana, over the years, has put in great efforts and made sacrifices to create a market economy that is liberalized in accordance with the current global trend.
He urged the investor community to take advantage of the numerous investment opportunities that exist in Ghana, which includes but not limited to the oil and gas sector, energy infrastructure development, agro-processing, manufacturing, tourism, real estate development and information and communication technology.
Ghana high Commissioner to the UK Prof. Kwaku Danso-Boafo in his welcome address said Ghana was poised to receive the genuine investors and expressed the hope that the forum will open Ghana’s investment potential to the rest of the world.
The Chairperson of Africa matters limited Baroness Lynda Chalker commended Ghana for taking a giant stride to invite investors, and expressed her pride in associating with Ghana.
Story: George Azirigo
08/07/10
Veep Appeals To Ghanaian Banks pix1
The Vice President, John Dramani Mahama has called on Ghanaian banks, both home and abroad, to critically position themselves, and their operations so they take full advantage of the country’s latest oil find. He said everything regarding the oil production was on schedule and that there was the likelihood that production will start streaming in November instead of the originally scheduled date of December 2010. Mr. Mahama said this on July 7, 2010 when he paid a courtesy call on management and officials of Ghana International Bank at their headquarters in London. He was in London to participate in this year’s UK – Ghana Investment Forum, which was slated for July 8, 2010.
He said though the President Mills’ administration has and will continue to take the necessary steps to study from the good, the bad and the ugly sides of countries that have discovered oil, there was the maximum guarantee that Ghana will succeed in its oil find, production and application of resources because the governance system that the country is practicing has enough checks and balances to forestall and correct any lapse that may occur.
Mr. Mahama reiterated government’s commitment to fixing and moving the country’s economic from a developing one to an emerging economy. He said the reason why things were so difficult for Ghanaians in last year was partly because of the world economic bumps, which required the government, like several governments of the world, to take prudent economic measures such as deep expenditure cuts that eventually, pushed down the country’s deficit, Lowered inflation, stabilized the cedi, and gave reasons for Ghanaians to believe that the country could record a 6.0 percentage growth instead of the 5.7 per cent target set for 2010.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ghana International Bank (GIB), Mr. Joe Mensah said the bank exist to intermediate the trade flow between Ghana and the rest of the world. He said for the past 50 years the bank had held its own placing 24 on returns on their asset and 27 on returns on investment in a banking survey that was organized recently in the UK over sample sizes of 156.
In terms of the Bank’s profit margin, Mr. Mensah said the bank has risen from 1.4 million pound sterling to 11.6 million pound sterling since the bank was incorporated in 1957.
Mr. Mensah said the bank was opened to the Ghanaian community in the UK, supports Africa’s development, provide confortable banking to their clients and are working towards doubling their income from £50 million to £100 million so they can take advantage of the Ghana’s oil find.
Story: George Azirigo
07/07/10
He said though the President Mills’ administration has and will continue to take the necessary steps to study from the good, the bad and the ugly sides of countries that have discovered oil, there was the maximum guarantee that Ghana will succeed in its oil find, production and application of resources because the governance system that the country is practicing has enough checks and balances to forestall and correct any lapse that may occur.
Mr. Mahama reiterated government’s commitment to fixing and moving the country’s economic from a developing one to an emerging economy. He said the reason why things were so difficult for Ghanaians in last year was partly because of the world economic bumps, which required the government, like several governments of the world, to take prudent economic measures such as deep expenditure cuts that eventually, pushed down the country’s deficit, Lowered inflation, stabilized the cedi, and gave reasons for Ghanaians to believe that the country could record a 6.0 percentage growth instead of the 5.7 per cent target set for 2010.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ghana International Bank (GIB), Mr. Joe Mensah said the bank exist to intermediate the trade flow between Ghana and the rest of the world. He said for the past 50 years the bank had held its own placing 24 on returns on their asset and 27 on returns on investment in a banking survey that was organized recently in the UK over sample sizes of 156.
In terms of the Bank’s profit margin, Mr. Mensah said the bank has risen from 1.4 million pound sterling to 11.6 million pound sterling since the bank was incorporated in 1957.
Mr. Mensah said the bank was opened to the Ghanaian community in the UK, supports Africa’s development, provide confortable banking to their clients and are working towards doubling their income from £50 million to £100 million so they can take advantage of the Ghana’s oil find.
Story: George Azirigo
07/07/10
Vice President Calls For Annual Review On Utility Tarrifs
Vice President John Dramani Mahama has advocated annual review of utility tariffs to avoid rancour and bitterness that normally come between service providers and consumers. "The situation where tariffs are delayed for more than three years, the impact on consumers is often seen to be heavy as we are currently experiencing. I am told that since 2007 tariffs have not been reviewed compelling the providers to go higher than if it was done annually"
Vice President Mahama, who made this call in a consultative meeting with officials of the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC), ministers and officials of related companies, said a lot of concerns had been raised since the announcement of new tariffs.
The meeting was attended by Mr Alban Bagbin, Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr Emmanuel Kofi Buah, Deputy Minister of Energy and officials from all the utility providing companies. The Vice President called on the Volta River Authority, Electricity Company of Ghana and Ghana Water Company to consider re-classifying all their consumers to deal with discrepancies and tariff differentials that were recorded after their announcements.
"Consumers are complaining not because the tariffs are very high, but because they perhaps do not get quality service and it will only be fair for you to serve them better to justify their payments," he said. He announced that government was yet to take a decision on the distribution of the GH¢48 million subsidy for both the lifeline and the commercial consumers and called on the providers to offer quality service to justify the current increments
He said plans were also far advanced to provide more electricity transformers to brighten all the dark spots of Accra and other cities. "We have also started providing water too to all the traditional water-starved areas of Accra as water has started flowing in areas like Adenta and Ashongman."
Dr Emmanuel Annan, Chairman of PURC said his outfit was organizing series of meetings to ensure quality of service to all consumers.
Story: GhanaWeb
Vice President Mahama, who made this call in a consultative meeting with officials of the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC), ministers and officials of related companies, said a lot of concerns had been raised since the announcement of new tariffs.
The meeting was attended by Mr Alban Bagbin, Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr Emmanuel Kofi Buah, Deputy Minister of Energy and officials from all the utility providing companies. The Vice President called on the Volta River Authority, Electricity Company of Ghana and Ghana Water Company to consider re-classifying all their consumers to deal with discrepancies and tariff differentials that were recorded after their announcements.
"Consumers are complaining not because the tariffs are very high, but because they perhaps do not get quality service and it will only be fair for you to serve them better to justify their payments," he said. He announced that government was yet to take a decision on the distribution of the GH¢48 million subsidy for both the lifeline and the commercial consumers and called on the providers to offer quality service to justify the current increments
He said plans were also far advanced to provide more electricity transformers to brighten all the dark spots of Accra and other cities. "We have also started providing water too to all the traditional water-starved areas of Accra as water has started flowing in areas like Adenta and Ashongman."
Dr Emmanuel Annan, Chairman of PURC said his outfit was organizing series of meetings to ensure quality of service to all consumers.
Story: GhanaWeb
Veep Advocates Street Naming To Combat Crime
Vice-President John Mahama has underscored the importance of street naming culture in the country, saying it is necessary to help the security agencies in combating crime.
He said the absence of a proper street naming system was making it difficult for the police to respond swiftly to distress calls as they found it difficult to locate crime scenes.
Mr. Mahama made the call when a delegation from Creative Consult, an organisation that engages in the production of TV programmes on crime fighting, called on him at the Castle yesterday, to present copies of their productions to him.
Vice-President Mahama gave the assurance that the Ministry of Local Government would come up with a programme by the end of the year to ensure that every area has street naming and house numbers to help the police in locating exact areas of an incident.
He stressed the need for education programmes that would help the citizenry to be security conscious, noting that Ghanaians were not conscoius about their security.
The Vice-President commended the joint Police/Military patrol teams for helping to reduce the incidence of armed robbery in the country, particularly, their swift response to crime scenes.
He assured that the government would continue to equip the security agencies adequately to perform their duties, especially tools that would enhance their mobility.
Mr. Mahama commended Creative Consult for their incisive TV programmes, noting that it was a programme that affected the security of all. He, therefore, urged corporate Ghana to support their activities.
Andy Nana Opoku, Managing Director of the firm said the programme came about as a result of the need to spear head the agenda of curbing crime by liaising with the police.
He said the spate of crime in society was such that the government alone could not handle it, "We therefore want to create a platform for the police to engage with the public by way of providing information in fighting crime," he said.
Mr Opoku said some of the programmes run on GTV bordered on human trafficking, child traffciking, impact of community policing. He asked for support from government in sustainig the programme as it was constrained financially.
DSP Kwesi Ofori, Director of the Police Public Relations Directorate at the Police Service Headquarters said the organisation's programme had contributed immensely to fighting crime in the country. He said the police looked forward in collaborating more with the firm in the near future.
He appealed for support from corporate organizations and individuals to keep the programme running, assuring the vice-president of the police administration commitment to combating crime.
He said the absence of a proper street naming system was making it difficult for the police to respond swiftly to distress calls as they found it difficult to locate crime scenes.
Mr. Mahama made the call when a delegation from Creative Consult, an organisation that engages in the production of TV programmes on crime fighting, called on him at the Castle yesterday, to present copies of their productions to him.
Vice-President Mahama gave the assurance that the Ministry of Local Government would come up with a programme by the end of the year to ensure that every area has street naming and house numbers to help the police in locating exact areas of an incident.
He stressed the need for education programmes that would help the citizenry to be security conscious, noting that Ghanaians were not conscoius about their security.
The Vice-President commended the joint Police/Military patrol teams for helping to reduce the incidence of armed robbery in the country, particularly, their swift response to crime scenes.
He assured that the government would continue to equip the security agencies adequately to perform their duties, especially tools that would enhance their mobility.
Mr. Mahama commended Creative Consult for their incisive TV programmes, noting that it was a programme that affected the security of all. He, therefore, urged corporate Ghana to support their activities.
Andy Nana Opoku, Managing Director of the firm said the programme came about as a result of the need to spear head the agenda of curbing crime by liaising with the police.
He said the spate of crime in society was such that the government alone could not handle it, "We therefore want to create a platform for the police to engage with the public by way of providing information in fighting crime," he said.
Mr Opoku said some of the programmes run on GTV bordered on human trafficking, child traffciking, impact of community policing. He asked for support from government in sustainig the programme as it was constrained financially.
DSP Kwesi Ofori, Director of the Police Public Relations Directorate at the Police Service Headquarters said the organisation's programme had contributed immensely to fighting crime in the country. He said the police looked forward in collaborating more with the firm in the near future.
He appealed for support from corporate organizations and individuals to keep the programme running, assuring the vice-president of the police administration commitment to combating crime.
Veep Lauds Indian Army
Vice-president John Dramani Mahama has commended the Indian Army for contributing to world peace through its peacekeeping.
According to him, India and Ghana have demonstrated the need for South-South Cooperation as both countries have been the dominate forces in ensuring peace in some troubled spots in other parts of the world.
Mr. Mahama made the remarks when he received a delegation from the National Defence College of India who are on a 5-day tour of Ghana led by Air Vice-Marshal S.K Karmakar at the Castle in Accra.
Present at the meeting was the Indian High-Commissioner to Ghana H.E Ruchi Ghanashyam and Gen Mensah-Nunoo (Retd), the National Security Advisor to the government.
The vice-president noted that the military have come a long way in the performance of their traditional duties and that modern trends have called for their reorientation.
He therefore stressed that to live up to the modern trend, the military have been performing social activities especially during periods of disaster.
Mr. Mahama acknowledged India’s domestic performance in managing its poverty situation, attributing it to the use of simple technology that abounds in India.
The vice-president recommended the need for other countries to cooperate with each other in terms of technology exchange to bring about sustainable development.
In the field of military cooperation, Mr. Mahama lamented over the withdrawal of technical support from the British government to the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, which he described as unfortunate.
He, however, indicated that in the face of that withdrawal the government of Ghana has managed to keep the place running.
On good governance, the vice-president said Ghana had made a lot of strides in its democratic dispensation, particularly coming from a long period of coup d’état, where it is being regarded as oasis of peace in Africa.
He assured that Ghana was at the verge of making progress in the oil and gas discovery, promising that the lessons from other oil producing countries would help Ghana use the resources for the interest of the majority of the citizenry.
For her part, H.E Madam Ghanashyam commended Ghana for strengthening Ghana-India cooperation over the period with further consolidation by the Prof. Mills administration.
She said the role of Ghana in world peace was commendable and stressed the need to emulate that gesture by other African countries.
The leader of the delegation Air Vice-Marshal Karmakar said the team was in the country to observe Ghana’s democratic and other activities to help them in their policy planning.
The delegation was made up of some military personnel from Sri Lanka and Brazil and some civil personnel from the India Armed Forces.
Story: Wisdom Peter Awuku
According to him, India and Ghana have demonstrated the need for South-South Cooperation as both countries have been the dominate forces in ensuring peace in some troubled spots in other parts of the world.
Mr. Mahama made the remarks when he received a delegation from the National Defence College of India who are on a 5-day tour of Ghana led by Air Vice-Marshal S.K Karmakar at the Castle in Accra.
Present at the meeting was the Indian High-Commissioner to Ghana H.E Ruchi Ghanashyam and Gen Mensah-Nunoo (Retd), the National Security Advisor to the government.
The vice-president noted that the military have come a long way in the performance of their traditional duties and that modern trends have called for their reorientation.
He therefore stressed that to live up to the modern trend, the military have been performing social activities especially during periods of disaster.
Mr. Mahama acknowledged India’s domestic performance in managing its poverty situation, attributing it to the use of simple technology that abounds in India.
The vice-president recommended the need for other countries to cooperate with each other in terms of technology exchange to bring about sustainable development.
In the field of military cooperation, Mr. Mahama lamented over the withdrawal of technical support from the British government to the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, which he described as unfortunate.
He, however, indicated that in the face of that withdrawal the government of Ghana has managed to keep the place running.
On good governance, the vice-president said Ghana had made a lot of strides in its democratic dispensation, particularly coming from a long period of coup d’état, where it is being regarded as oasis of peace in Africa.
He assured that Ghana was at the verge of making progress in the oil and gas discovery, promising that the lessons from other oil producing countries would help Ghana use the resources for the interest of the majority of the citizenry.
For her part, H.E Madam Ghanashyam commended Ghana for strengthening Ghana-India cooperation over the period with further consolidation by the Prof. Mills administration.
She said the role of Ghana in world peace was commendable and stressed the need to emulate that gesture by other African countries.
The leader of the delegation Air Vice-Marshal Karmakar said the team was in the country to observe Ghana’s democratic and other activities to help them in their policy planning.
The delegation was made up of some military personnel from Sri Lanka and Brazil and some civil personnel from the India Armed Forces.
Story: Wisdom Peter Awuku
Government to implement sustainable environmental strategies
Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Monday promised that government would implement sustainable environmental programmes that would find lasting solutions to the country's environmental challenges.
"Since our resources are limited, our priorities over the years have focused on health, education, infrastructural development and good governance sector with less emphasises on our natural resources and environment and the question I want to ask is how do we ensure that development does not take place at the expense of the environment?"
Vice President Mahama gave this promise when he inaugurated an 11-member Advisory Council of Environmental and Natural Resources at his office at the Castle, Osu.
The Council of which he is the Chairman would among other functions assist government to assess the risks and opportunities of policies and identify appropriate mechanisms to ensure that sound environmental management contributed towards economic growth.
Other members of the council include;Mr. Kwesi Ahwoi, Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr.Joseph Yieleh Chireh, Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Madam Sherry Ayittey, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Dr. Kwabena Duffour, Minister for Finance and Economic Planning and Dr. Oteng Adjei, Minister of Energy.
The rest are Mr. Alban Bagbin, Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr. Collins Dauda, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Dr. Osei Boeh-Ocansey, Private Enterprise Foundation, Professor Nabila, President, National House of Chiefs and Dr. Yao Graham, Third World Network.
He said climate change and environmental degradation were phenomenal and could impact negatively on Agriculture, Health, energy and water resources, land and natural resources, oil and gas and mining and therefore required inter-sectoral and inter-ministerial management approach.
The Vice President appealed to members to be committed and dedicated to their roles and responsibilities to ensure the total achievement of the aims, goals and objectives of the council.
Madam Sherry Ayittey, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology mentioned some of the serious environmental challenges as poor waste management and sanitation.
"Research indicates that about 80 percent of the diseases prevalent in our communities are sanitation-related and improving the management of waste and reducing filth in our cities have remained a top priority for government."
She gave the assurance that the council would also tackle serious challenges of biodiversity loss, deforestation, forest degradation, land degradation, pollution of fresh water bodies and marine environment.
Source: GNA
"Since our resources are limited, our priorities over the years have focused on health, education, infrastructural development and good governance sector with less emphasises on our natural resources and environment and the question I want to ask is how do we ensure that development does not take place at the expense of the environment?"
Vice President Mahama gave this promise when he inaugurated an 11-member Advisory Council of Environmental and Natural Resources at his office at the Castle, Osu.
The Council of which he is the Chairman would among other functions assist government to assess the risks and opportunities of policies and identify appropriate mechanisms to ensure that sound environmental management contributed towards economic growth.
Other members of the council include;Mr. Kwesi Ahwoi, Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr.Joseph Yieleh Chireh, Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Madam Sherry Ayittey, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Dr. Kwabena Duffour, Minister for Finance and Economic Planning and Dr. Oteng Adjei, Minister of Energy.
The rest are Mr. Alban Bagbin, Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr. Collins Dauda, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Dr. Osei Boeh-Ocansey, Private Enterprise Foundation, Professor Nabila, President, National House of Chiefs and Dr. Yao Graham, Third World Network.
He said climate change and environmental degradation were phenomenal and could impact negatively on Agriculture, Health, energy and water resources, land and natural resources, oil and gas and mining and therefore required inter-sectoral and inter-ministerial management approach.
The Vice President appealed to members to be committed and dedicated to their roles and responsibilities to ensure the total achievement of the aims, goals and objectives of the council.
Madam Sherry Ayittey, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology mentioned some of the serious environmental challenges as poor waste management and sanitation.
"Research indicates that about 80 percent of the diseases prevalent in our communities are sanitation-related and improving the management of waste and reducing filth in our cities have remained a top priority for government."
She gave the assurance that the council would also tackle serious challenges of biodiversity loss, deforestation, forest degradation, land degradation, pollution of fresh water bodies and marine environment.
Source: GNA
Private Sector Endorses SADA
The private sector has stressed the need for the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) to embark on speedy job creation in the Northern Savannah to absorb the idle youth so as to avoid current diversion of idle hands into conflict.
In a communiqué issued by private sector leaders comprising over 40 representatives of various agricultural, agro-processing, financial services, tourism, mining, transport and allied services, the leaders expressed the wish to see SADA as an engine of unity, peace and development in the Northern Savannah.
The communiqué, adopted at the end of a two-day roundtable on the northern savannah belt at Tamale over the weekend, was presented to Vice-President John Mahama at the Castle, Osu, yesterday.
The communiqué, read by Alhaji Asuamah Bandah, Chief Executive officer of Antrak, who led a five-man delegation to present it to the government, endorsed fully the government’s commitment to establish a comprehensive strategy to accelerate development efforts in the Northern Savannah.
It urged government to ensure that SADA was provided with secure and sustainable funding to undertake the ambitious transformation of the Northern Savannah into a growth pole.
“This funding must include a dedicated Savannah Development Fund to assure long-term investments in needed infrastructure and human development,” the communiqué stated.
“Private sector leaders encourage government to be assertive in establishing incentives to attract and retain investors and other businesses in the Northern Savannah,” it added.
The communiqué identified a number of strategic investments in infrastructure-roads, airports, in-land ports, water resources facilities and energy investments to enable rapid deployment of the private sector.
The communiqué undertook to build on the first meeting and convene bi-annual private sector roundtable fora on the Northern Savannah. It also undertook to provide advisory services to SADA Board and Management on critical issues pertaining to the private sector.
The communiqué further expressed the wish to support government’s drive to bring about accelerated development in the Northern Savannah, in partnership with the private sector.
Receiving the communiqué, Vice-President Mahama assured the delegation that the government would study the issues and concerns raised in the communiqué to incorporate it in the policy formulation document of SADA.
He said the vision of opening a new frontier of development in the north would engender a new growth pole in the country and offer employment and trade opportunities.
Mr. Mahama stated that in spite of the SADA strategy, government’s budget in respect of development in the area would be maintained, adding, investments realized from the SADA would be supplementary to the budget.
The Vice-President noted that the government could not achieve the vision of SADA without the active participation and collaboration with the private sector and commended the delegation for the enthusiasm they had shown for the project.
Giving the media an update of the SADA later, Dr. Sulley Gariba, Development Policy Advisor at the Office of the Vice-President said SADA had gathered pace, following the gazetting of the SADA Authority Bill last Friday.
Having met the critical milestones, he said Parliament would be ready to consider the Bill immediately it resumes later in May.
The SADA covers the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions, as well as districts located in the northern Volta and northern Brong-Ahafo regions.
It is expected to undertake comprehensive strategy for the accelerated development of the Savannah, mobilize funding for investment and support NGO efforts in working with ordinary citizens in the programme areas.
Major outcomes of SADA over the five year period include improved coordination of development services in the area, increase in the quality and quantity of infrastructure necessary for accelerated development; a significant increase in the volumes of funding available as additional resources to finance development in the northern savannah; and a significant increase in private sector investments.
Story: Wisdom Peter Awuku
In a communiqué issued by private sector leaders comprising over 40 representatives of various agricultural, agro-processing, financial services, tourism, mining, transport and allied services, the leaders expressed the wish to see SADA as an engine of unity, peace and development in the Northern Savannah.
The communiqué, adopted at the end of a two-day roundtable on the northern savannah belt at Tamale over the weekend, was presented to Vice-President John Mahama at the Castle, Osu, yesterday.
The communiqué, read by Alhaji Asuamah Bandah, Chief Executive officer of Antrak, who led a five-man delegation to present it to the government, endorsed fully the government’s commitment to establish a comprehensive strategy to accelerate development efforts in the Northern Savannah.
It urged government to ensure that SADA was provided with secure and sustainable funding to undertake the ambitious transformation of the Northern Savannah into a growth pole.
“This funding must include a dedicated Savannah Development Fund to assure long-term investments in needed infrastructure and human development,” the communiqué stated.
“Private sector leaders encourage government to be assertive in establishing incentives to attract and retain investors and other businesses in the Northern Savannah,” it added.
The communiqué identified a number of strategic investments in infrastructure-roads, airports, in-land ports, water resources facilities and energy investments to enable rapid deployment of the private sector.
The communiqué undertook to build on the first meeting and convene bi-annual private sector roundtable fora on the Northern Savannah. It also undertook to provide advisory services to SADA Board and Management on critical issues pertaining to the private sector.
The communiqué further expressed the wish to support government’s drive to bring about accelerated development in the Northern Savannah, in partnership with the private sector.
Receiving the communiqué, Vice-President Mahama assured the delegation that the government would study the issues and concerns raised in the communiqué to incorporate it in the policy formulation document of SADA.
He said the vision of opening a new frontier of development in the north would engender a new growth pole in the country and offer employment and trade opportunities.
Mr. Mahama stated that in spite of the SADA strategy, government’s budget in respect of development in the area would be maintained, adding, investments realized from the SADA would be supplementary to the budget.
The Vice-President noted that the government could not achieve the vision of SADA without the active participation and collaboration with the private sector and commended the delegation for the enthusiasm they had shown for the project.
Giving the media an update of the SADA later, Dr. Sulley Gariba, Development Policy Advisor at the Office of the Vice-President said SADA had gathered pace, following the gazetting of the SADA Authority Bill last Friday.
Having met the critical milestones, he said Parliament would be ready to consider the Bill immediately it resumes later in May.
The SADA covers the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions, as well as districts located in the northern Volta and northern Brong-Ahafo regions.
It is expected to undertake comprehensive strategy for the accelerated development of the Savannah, mobilize funding for investment and support NGO efforts in working with ordinary citizens in the programme areas.
Major outcomes of SADA over the five year period include improved coordination of development services in the area, increase in the quality and quantity of infrastructure necessary for accelerated development; a significant increase in the volumes of funding available as additional resources to finance development in the northern savannah; and a significant increase in private sector investments.
Story: Wisdom Peter Awuku
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