Vice-president John Dramani Mahama has called on the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and the Paramount Chief of the Techiman Traditional Area to tackle the problem of chieftaincy with level headedness.
He said since the two traditional areas shared common culture and traditional values, there was the need for them to bury the hatchet for peace to prevail.
The vice-president who said this at the installation of a new Yagbonwura, Tuntumba Boree Essa I, at Damongo in the Northern Region, expressed concern about pockets of chieftaincy and political upheaval in some parts of the country and appealed for calm.
The new Yagbonwura, know in private life as Tuntumba Sulemana Amanfo Jakpa, the Kusawgu Wura.
“This should be a turning point in our lives. No political is worth more than the drop of blood. Shedding of blood to get political power is not the best, he stressed.
He appealed to the new chief to make land registration in Gonja a priority.
According to him as society progresses it is incumbent on chiefs and leaders to adopt new ways of administering land.
Mr. Mahama said the era where lands were not registered as essential commodity were past, adding that “we must now put values on our lands.”
He said the only way the country could confront the eminent food problem well is to use arable land.
Mr. Mahama noted that the healthy environment created by the Mills’ administration would attract investors who would large tracks of land and therefore cautioned against the release of such lands “for a few bottles of drinks and paltry sum of money”
“I appealed to you to seek the proper counseling before you dispose off the land. Investment should not be done at the expense of the toil of our forefathers who laid their blood to acquire the land for us,” he said.
He gave the assurance that the water and road projects earmarked for the area would be completed on time and commended the chiefs and people of the area for the unity of purpose.
The vice-president commended the kingmakers for their sense of integrity in choosing and installing the successor to the Yagbon skin after the demise of Alhaji Bawa Doshie I.
He called on other ethnic and traditional authorities, particularly Dagbon, who were facing chieftaincy problem to emulate the shining examples of the kingmakers of the Gonja Traditional Area.
For his part, the Northern Regional Minister Moses Mabengba said the government , through the Northern Rural Growth Programme, has selected some districts in the region to pilot dry season farming.
“The block farming programme for Youth in Agriculture has been very encouraging in the district. We intend to expand and extend it to cover other parts of the district so as to engage as many of the youth as possible.
The new King, Boree Essa I assured genuine investors of his willingness to release land for projects that could be beneficial to the area.
He called on the government to implement the Youth in Agriculture module of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP), stressing, “my chiefs and I are prepared to make land available for programmes that would create jobs and bring prosperity to our people.
Story: Wisdom Peter Awuku
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Veep Secures 1000 Tractors
Vice President John Dramani Mahama has secured a 1000 tractor facility running into millions of dollars from India’s farm machinery manufacturer Mahindra to support Ghana’s agricultural sector.
The company has also agreed to support the government with other agricultural machinery and spare parts component.
Addressing the press on his arrival at the Kotoka International Airport from India where he attended the 6th Asia-Africa Conclave in New Delhi, Mr. Mahama described the trip as fruitful and basketful of opportunities.
The Vice-President, who was accompanied by the President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) Nana Owusu-Afari, attended three-day conclave with other ministers, business people and experts from 34 African countries to discuss business projects worth $9 billion.
Vice-president John Dramani Mahama, who was the guest of honour at the conclave, said the Ghanaian delegation took advantage of the conclave to renew and facilitate bilateral projects arrangements between the two countries.
Significance among this project is India’s readiness to establish a fertilizer plant in Ghana which would use expected bi-products of the oil find to support the industry.
It is estimated that the facility will supply Ghana’s total fertilizer needs and the excess exported to India.
According to the Vice-President a team of Indian experts were expected in the country in a couple of weeks to conduct feasibility studies on a canalisation of the Accra Plains, using water from the lower Volta to irrigate the land, adding that a similar project had been designed for the White Volta to irrigate the overseas areas of the Northern Region.
Mr. Mahama mentioned that with the support of India, Ghana was looking at the possibility of setting up an urban transport system that would run on gas instead of diesel.
“The country is also looking at further possibilities of securing India Oversea Development Assistance into strategic sectors of the country such as energy, especially rural electrification, agricultural and agro-processing.
He was welcome at the airport by the India High Commissioner to Ghana Ruchi Ghanashyam and Mr. Baffoe-Bonney, Special Advisor to the Vice-President.
The conclave laid out a roadmap for the second edition of the India-Africa Forum Summit to be held next year. India hosted the first summit in New Delhi in 2008.
External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna inaugurated the conference that sought to give a fresh momentum to India s multifaceted engagement with the African continent.
The sixth India-Africa Project Partnership conclave has been jointly organised by the commerce and external affairs ministries, the EXIM bank and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
The conclave revolved around four linked sub-themes: India-Africa partnership, Rural economies, Africa tomorrow and Going Green.
The meet provided a platform for Indian and African leaders to intensify their bilateral and regional partnerships, scale up Indian participation in Indian participation in Africa s long-term development projects, enhance capacity building initiatives and resource mobilization programmes.
Story: Wisdom Peter Awuku
The company has also agreed to support the government with other agricultural machinery and spare parts component.
Addressing the press on his arrival at the Kotoka International Airport from India where he attended the 6th Asia-Africa Conclave in New Delhi, Mr. Mahama described the trip as fruitful and basketful of opportunities.
The Vice-President, who was accompanied by the President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) Nana Owusu-Afari, attended three-day conclave with other ministers, business people and experts from 34 African countries to discuss business projects worth $9 billion.
Vice-president John Dramani Mahama, who was the guest of honour at the conclave, said the Ghanaian delegation took advantage of the conclave to renew and facilitate bilateral projects arrangements between the two countries.
Significance among this project is India’s readiness to establish a fertilizer plant in Ghana which would use expected bi-products of the oil find to support the industry.
It is estimated that the facility will supply Ghana’s total fertilizer needs and the excess exported to India.
According to the Vice-President a team of Indian experts were expected in the country in a couple of weeks to conduct feasibility studies on a canalisation of the Accra Plains, using water from the lower Volta to irrigate the land, adding that a similar project had been designed for the White Volta to irrigate the overseas areas of the Northern Region.
Mr. Mahama mentioned that with the support of India, Ghana was looking at the possibility of setting up an urban transport system that would run on gas instead of diesel.
“The country is also looking at further possibilities of securing India Oversea Development Assistance into strategic sectors of the country such as energy, especially rural electrification, agricultural and agro-processing.
He was welcome at the airport by the India High Commissioner to Ghana Ruchi Ghanashyam and Mr. Baffoe-Bonney, Special Advisor to the Vice-President.
The conclave laid out a roadmap for the second edition of the India-Africa Forum Summit to be held next year. India hosted the first summit in New Delhi in 2008.
External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna inaugurated the conference that sought to give a fresh momentum to India s multifaceted engagement with the African continent.
The sixth India-Africa Project Partnership conclave has been jointly organised by the commerce and external affairs ministries, the EXIM bank and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
The conclave revolved around four linked sub-themes: India-Africa partnership, Rural economies, Africa tomorrow and Going Green.
The meet provided a platform for Indian and African leaders to intensify their bilateral and regional partnerships, scale up Indian participation in Indian participation in Africa s long-term development projects, enhance capacity building initiatives and resource mobilization programmes.
Story: Wisdom Peter Awuku
Veep in India for Investment conclave
Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Saturday arrived in New Delhi, India, to participate in the Sixth Annual Confederation of Indian Industries Conclave to explore investment opportunities for Ghana.
The programme, the sixth in the series, is organized by the Government of India; Export and Import (EXIM) Bank of India and the Confederation of Indian Industry and it is aimed at fostering investment partnerships between Indian Companies and African countries.
The Vice President would among other activities hold talks with the Business Community in India and hold bilateral talks with government officials of India, trumpet out the business potentials of Ghana and sign memoranda of understanding with companies or businesses that would express interest in investing in Ghana. He would also deliver an address on the investment potentials of Ghana and whip up the enthusiasm of Indian Companies to invest in Ghana, among other things.
The three-day programme, which would attract Presidents, Vice Presidents and top Government officials from selected African countries, would also seek to empower governments to create jobs and reduce the high rate of unemployment in their countries.
Vice President Mahama is the second Vice President to attend the programme from Ghana after Former Vice President Aliu Mahama, who attended a similar programme in 2007.
Vice President Mahama would also interact with the Ghanaian community in India. 14 March 10
Source: GNA
The programme, the sixth in the series, is organized by the Government of India; Export and Import (EXIM) Bank of India and the Confederation of Indian Industry and it is aimed at fostering investment partnerships between Indian Companies and African countries.
The Vice President would among other activities hold talks with the Business Community in India and hold bilateral talks with government officials of India, trumpet out the business potentials of Ghana and sign memoranda of understanding with companies or businesses that would express interest in investing in Ghana. He would also deliver an address on the investment potentials of Ghana and whip up the enthusiasm of Indian Companies to invest in Ghana, among other things.
The three-day programme, which would attract Presidents, Vice Presidents and top Government officials from selected African countries, would also seek to empower governments to create jobs and reduce the high rate of unemployment in their countries.
Vice President Mahama is the second Vice President to attend the programme from Ghana after Former Vice President Aliu Mahama, who attended a similar programme in 2007.
Vice President Mahama would also interact with the Ghanaian community in India. 14 March 10
Source: GNA
Veep in India for Investment conclave
Veep in India for Investment conclave
Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Saturday arrived in New Delhi, India, to participate in the Sixth Annual Confederation of Indian Industries Conclave to explore investment opportunities for Ghana.
The programme, the sixth in the series, is organized by the Government of India; Export and Import (EXIM) Bank of India and the Confederation of Indian Industry and it is aimed at fostering investment partnerships between Indian Companies and African countries.
The Vice President would among other activities hold talks with the Business Community in India and hold bilateral talks with government officials of India, trumpet out the business potentials of Ghana and sign memoranda of understanding with companies or businesses that would express interest in investing in Ghana. He would also deliver an address on the investment potentials of Ghana and whip up the enthusiasm of Indian Companies to invest in Ghana, among other things.
The three-day programme, which would attract Presidents, Vice Presidents and top Government officials from selected African countries, would also seek to empower governments to create jobs and reduce the high rate of unemployment in their countries.
Vice President Mahama is the second Vice President to attend the programme from Ghana after Former Vice President Aliu Mahama, who attended a similar programme in 2007.
Vice President Mahama would also interact with the Ghanaian community in India. 14 March 10
Source: GNA
Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Saturday arrived in New Delhi, India, to participate in the Sixth Annual Confederation of Indian Industries Conclave to explore investment opportunities for Ghana.
The programme, the sixth in the series, is organized by the Government of India; Export and Import (EXIM) Bank of India and the Confederation of Indian Industry and it is aimed at fostering investment partnerships between Indian Companies and African countries.
The Vice President would among other activities hold talks with the Business Community in India and hold bilateral talks with government officials of India, trumpet out the business potentials of Ghana and sign memoranda of understanding with companies or businesses that would express interest in investing in Ghana. He would also deliver an address on the investment potentials of Ghana and whip up the enthusiasm of Indian Companies to invest in Ghana, among other things.
The three-day programme, which would attract Presidents, Vice Presidents and top Government officials from selected African countries, would also seek to empower governments to create jobs and reduce the high rate of unemployment in their countries.
Vice President Mahama is the second Vice President to attend the programme from Ghana after Former Vice President Aliu Mahama, who attended a similar programme in 2007.
Vice President Mahama would also interact with the Ghanaian community in India. 14 March 10
Source: GNA
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Galvanize the energies of youth to continue Nkrumah's vision - Veep
Vice President, John Dramani Mahama has paid glowing tribute to Hideyo Noguchi for his immense contribution in the field of tropical medicine in Ghana.
Dr. Noguchi, the Japanese researcher whose work, life, and dedication to the health needs of humanity led to the establishment of the Noguchi Institute for Medical Research in Accra in 1979.
He said Dr.Noguchi, who laid down his life for medical research in yellow fever, has in no doubt, enhanced human progress and survival in Ghana and the world at large.
Mr. Mahama made the observation at the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize Memorial Symposium held in Accra in March 2010.
The Symposium formed part of programmes and activities for the historic visit of His Imperial Highness, Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan to Ghana.
The vice-president said the work of Noguchi cannot be underestimated citing the United Nations Millennium Development Goals decision to adopt, in September 2000, to fight diseases and improve health care in the area of child mortality, and maternal health care as well as tackle complex diseases was a testimony of the foresight of this illustrious son of Japan.
Mr. Mahama stressed that the Noguchi Memorial Institute established in honour of Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, which is the foremost in the sub-region, has contributed enormously to disease control, capacity building and job creation for nationals.
He also stressed that the institute, since its inception, has focused its attention on infectious and communicable diseases such as malaria, measles, tuberculosis and other diseases that can be prevented by vaccines. “The Institute has also taken into research into nutrition, food contamination, parasitic diseases and other problems of public health importance and health systems in the country”, he stressed.
The Vice President was particularly happy that the Institute has served as a platform for continuous collaboration in the development and exchange of ideas and information between Japanese and Ghanaian researchers.
Mr. Mahama commended the Government and people of Japan for being true friends to Ghana, acknowledging that the Japanese taxpayers have continued to fund some of the most critical infrastructural projects in Ghana while young Japanese Oversea volunteers continue to arrive in Ghana to serve in some of the remote and deprived parts of our country.
Mr. Mahama also expressed satisfaction and appreciation for the work the Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Institute was undertaking, which, “Undoubtedly, opened our understanding to parasitic and communicable diseases and also contributed immensely to medical research into parasitic and other related diseases in the country”.
For his part, Crown Prince Naruhito said the efforts of great number of people concerned with medicine and health that have followed in Dr. Noguchi’s path have discovered vaccines and the measures taken against yellow fever have significantly advanced compared to the time when Dr. Noguchi was devoting himself to his research.
The Imperial Highness who is an Honorary President of the United Nations Secretary-Generals Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation, however, bemoaned that despite the enormous gains in research the 21st century still holds gloom for Africa.
He said Africa continues to suffer from a great number of infectious diseases such as malaria and HIV/AIDS where over 22.4 million Africans are infected with the HIV/AIDS resulting in about 1.4 million people dying from the virus.
Prince Naruhito, therefore, called on the International Community to take immediate action against such serious problem.
He also urged those attending the symposium to contribute to raising the awareness of the importance of research in the field of infectious diseases and that it will strengthen the healthcare system in Africa.
Story by George Azrigo and Gloria Asinyo
Dr. Noguchi, the Japanese researcher whose work, life, and dedication to the health needs of humanity led to the establishment of the Noguchi Institute for Medical Research in Accra in 1979.
He said Dr.Noguchi, who laid down his life for medical research in yellow fever, has in no doubt, enhanced human progress and survival in Ghana and the world at large.
Mr. Mahama made the observation at the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize Memorial Symposium held in Accra in March 2010.
The Symposium formed part of programmes and activities for the historic visit of His Imperial Highness, Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan to Ghana.
The vice-president said the work of Noguchi cannot be underestimated citing the United Nations Millennium Development Goals decision to adopt, in September 2000, to fight diseases and improve health care in the area of child mortality, and maternal health care as well as tackle complex diseases was a testimony of the foresight of this illustrious son of Japan.
Mr. Mahama stressed that the Noguchi Memorial Institute established in honour of Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, which is the foremost in the sub-region, has contributed enormously to disease control, capacity building and job creation for nationals.
He also stressed that the institute, since its inception, has focused its attention on infectious and communicable diseases such as malaria, measles, tuberculosis and other diseases that can be prevented by vaccines. “The Institute has also taken into research into nutrition, food contamination, parasitic diseases and other problems of public health importance and health systems in the country”, he stressed.
The Vice President was particularly happy that the Institute has served as a platform for continuous collaboration in the development and exchange of ideas and information between Japanese and Ghanaian researchers.
Mr. Mahama commended the Government and people of Japan for being true friends to Ghana, acknowledging that the Japanese taxpayers have continued to fund some of the most critical infrastructural projects in Ghana while young Japanese Oversea volunteers continue to arrive in Ghana to serve in some of the remote and deprived parts of our country.
Mr. Mahama also expressed satisfaction and appreciation for the work the Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Institute was undertaking, which, “Undoubtedly, opened our understanding to parasitic and communicable diseases and also contributed immensely to medical research into parasitic and other related diseases in the country”.
For his part, Crown Prince Naruhito said the efforts of great number of people concerned with medicine and health that have followed in Dr. Noguchi’s path have discovered vaccines and the measures taken against yellow fever have significantly advanced compared to the time when Dr. Noguchi was devoting himself to his research.
The Imperial Highness who is an Honorary President of the United Nations Secretary-Generals Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation, however, bemoaned that despite the enormous gains in research the 21st century still holds gloom for Africa.
He said Africa continues to suffer from a great number of infectious diseases such as malaria and HIV/AIDS where over 22.4 million Africans are infected with the HIV/AIDS resulting in about 1.4 million people dying from the virus.
Prince Naruhito, therefore, called on the International Community to take immediate action against such serious problem.
He also urged those attending the symposium to contribute to raising the awareness of the importance of research in the field of infectious diseases and that it will strengthen the healthcare system in Africa.
Story by George Azrigo and Gloria Asinyo
Veep Lauds Japan’s Support
Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday commended the Japanese government for their continuous support to Ghana in the socio-economic development.
According to him, Japan has been one of the countries in the world that has over the years offered grants and loans to Ghana without interest and other conditionalities attached to the loans.
Vice President Mahama said these when he hosted Prince Naruhito, the Crown Prince of Japan at the Akosombo Presidential Lodge in the Eastern Region as part of his three-day official visit to Ghana.
The Prince who was followed by a delegation of government officials and media practitioners also watched video clips of the Akosombo dam project and the potentials of the area in job creation and the reduction of youth unemployment in the country.
The Vice President said Japan had helped Ghana in education, Health, Science and Technology and particularly thanked the Crown Prince Naruhito for choosing to visit Ghana when the relationship between the two countries was growing stronger.
He gave the assurance that Ghana would continue to play her role in ensuring that relationship between the two countries was strengthened further to benefit generations to come.
Prince Naruhito who did not talk during most of his visits watched the video footages and had a closed door talks with the Vice President.
He later made a whistle stop at Akuse Junction where he inspected the produce of grafted mangoes and interacted with the sellers.
Crown Prince Nahiruto has since left Ghana for Kenya to continue with his two nation tour of Africa.
He was seen off at the airport by Mr. Mahama.
Story by: Wisdom Awuku (Office Of The Vice President)
According to him, Japan has been one of the countries in the world that has over the years offered grants and loans to Ghana without interest and other conditionalities attached to the loans.
Vice President Mahama said these when he hosted Prince Naruhito, the Crown Prince of Japan at the Akosombo Presidential Lodge in the Eastern Region as part of his three-day official visit to Ghana.
The Prince who was followed by a delegation of government officials and media practitioners also watched video clips of the Akosombo dam project and the potentials of the area in job creation and the reduction of youth unemployment in the country.
The Vice President said Japan had helped Ghana in education, Health, Science and Technology and particularly thanked the Crown Prince Naruhito for choosing to visit Ghana when the relationship between the two countries was growing stronger.
He gave the assurance that Ghana would continue to play her role in ensuring that relationship between the two countries was strengthened further to benefit generations to come.
Prince Naruhito who did not talk during most of his visits watched the video footages and had a closed door talks with the Vice President.
He later made a whistle stop at Akuse Junction where he inspected the produce of grafted mangoes and interacted with the sellers.
Crown Prince Nahiruto has since left Ghana for Kenya to continue with his two nation tour of Africa.
He was seen off at the airport by Mr. Mahama.
Story by: Wisdom Awuku (Office Of The Vice President)
Highlight of Vice President John Mahama’s Visit to Korea
H.E. Mr. John Dramani Mahama, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana paid an official visit to the Republic of Korea at the invitation of the Korean Government from March 1—4, 2010.
The Vice President was accompanied by a high-level delegation that included the Ministers of Food and Agriculture (Hon. Kwesi Ahwoi) and of Water Resources, Works and Housing (Hon. Alban Bagbin); the Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Regional \Integration (Hon. Chris Kpodo), Finance and Economic Planning (Hon. Seth Terkper), and of Energy (Hon. Emmanuel Buah).
The delegation also included the Minority Leader (Hon. Osei-Kyei Mensah-Bonsu) as well as Chairman (Hon. James Klutse Avedzi) and Ranking Member (Hon. Anthony Akoto Osei) of the Finance Committee of the Parliament. The inclusion of the Minority is particularly significant because it underscores Government’s commitment to an all-inclusive approach to prosecuting the Better Ghana Agenda. A number of Ghanaian businessmen went with the delegation.
Vice President Mahama and his delegation were warmly received by and also held very fruitful discussions with, the President and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea as well as leaders of the business community, from the private and public sectors in Korea, who were interested in doing business in Ghana.
During the meetings, both the Vice President and his hosts heartily indulged in courtesies that commended Ghana’s advancement in democratic governance and people-centered development efforts. They also applauded Korea’s accession to membership of the OECD, its assumption of leadership of the organization this year and the focus on cooperation with Africa that will define that leadership role. In particular, the two countries reaffirmed South Korea’s decision to play an active role in Ghana’s socio-economic development through the strengthening of mutual-beneficial cooperation.
The Vice President showed appreciation for the wealth of goodwill and support expressed by the Korean Government and reassured both the Government and the private sector of the prevailing peace and stability that ensured guaranteed foreign direct investment and joint venture partnerships in the country. He drew attention to several Korean activities that existed in Ghana already.
At the end of the visit, the Vice President and his delegation were assured of collaboration by the leading Korean Group of Companies, STX Corporation, through its subsidiaries and affiliates in undertaking a “Ghana Investment Plan” for which a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the STX Corporation and the Government of Ghana.
Under the Ghana Investment Plan, STX Corporation will make investment for, and execute agreed and commercially viable sub-projects with the Government of Ghana providing the necessary support and cooperation.
The projects included:
1. The National Housing Project (GNHP) under which STX is to build 200,000 units of housing in all the ten regions of Ghana, and for which basic data collection and housing design have been completed since the conclusion of a bilateral agreement in December 2009. Total investment amounting to US$10 billion is estimated for the project.
2. Construction and operation of industrial plants; STX intends to invest for, and build various industrial plants in Ghana including, but not limited to, a cement plant, a rolling mill, and autoclaved lightweight concrete (ALC) plant.
3. Stabilization and improvement of operations of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), under which the Government of Ghana confirms its intension to work with STX to secure stable crude oil supply. STX also confirmed its intention to conduct preliminary feasibility study in the construction and operation of oil tank terminals while the Korea National Petroleum Company (KNOC) also expressed interest in collaborating with GNPC on various petroleum projects.
4. Vocational Training of Ghanaian Human Resources: STX and other organizations have agreed to join Government of Ghana’s efforts to improve work skills of Ghanaian human resources. STX will make its best efforts to secure and arrange Korean Government’s cooperation for GOG to set up a training programme with the assistance of Korea’s Knowledge Sharing Project (KSP) and official Development Assistance (ODA) programme. The KSP and investment programs would also benefit Ghana’s ICT and Public Financial Management (PFM) efforts aimed at improving the economy.
5. Other Potential Cooperation Opportunities; As a world leading shipping and shipbuilding company, STX has expressed firm intent to expand the scope of cooperation with Ghana into the fields of shipping and logistics transport business and construction of commercial and specialized vessels.
In the field of food security, Ghana and Korea agree to share technology and know-how in the agricultural sector. In that connection, Ghana’s Minister for Good and Agriculture has extended his visit to Korea by two days to hold further discussions, initiated during the Vice President’s visit, on mutually-beneficial collaboration with the Korean Rural Development Administration (KRDA) which has tremendous expertise and experience in seed, plants, modernized and mechanized farming.
On bilateral financial relations, the Ghana delegation discussed the EXIM facility with the Korean government and EXIM Bank officials and agreed to take the necessary steps to remove all obstacles that have affected the administration of the facility in recent years. Technically, Ghana is deemed to have defaulted in honoring its full loan obligations as a result of the inability of the two countries to complete the debt-relief process under the HIPC programme. The Korean legislature was required to provide the necessary relief granted by OECD and some non-OECD states to Ghana in accordance with the agreed terms under the HIPC arrangement. This action has now been completed and the two countries have agreed to complete the process expeditiously to allow a new EXIM Bank programme to start this year and fund several of the projects envisaged above.
In cooperation within the wider international community, the Ghana delegation appreciated and commended Korea’s policy towards developing closer collaboration and partnership with Africa within the framework of the Korea-Africa Forum and reassured the Government of Korea of Ghana’s sustained key role in advancing the cause of African development.
The Ghana delegation also reassured the Korean Government of Ghana’s ready disposition to continue to share experiences and concerted efforts in addressing global issues of common interest.
The delegation welcome the prospect of the visit to Africa, including Ghana, by the President of the Republic of Korea in the summer of this year 2010 and considered the visit as an eloquent testimony for renewing shared commitment to further deepen relations to the mutual benefit of the peoples of the two countries.
Story by: Wisdom Awuku (Office Of The Vice President)
The Vice President was accompanied by a high-level delegation that included the Ministers of Food and Agriculture (Hon. Kwesi Ahwoi) and of Water Resources, Works and Housing (Hon. Alban Bagbin); the Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Regional \Integration (Hon. Chris Kpodo), Finance and Economic Planning (Hon. Seth Terkper), and of Energy (Hon. Emmanuel Buah).
The delegation also included the Minority Leader (Hon. Osei-Kyei Mensah-Bonsu) as well as Chairman (Hon. James Klutse Avedzi) and Ranking Member (Hon. Anthony Akoto Osei) of the Finance Committee of the Parliament. The inclusion of the Minority is particularly significant because it underscores Government’s commitment to an all-inclusive approach to prosecuting the Better Ghana Agenda. A number of Ghanaian businessmen went with the delegation.
Vice President Mahama and his delegation were warmly received by and also held very fruitful discussions with, the President and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea as well as leaders of the business community, from the private and public sectors in Korea, who were interested in doing business in Ghana.
During the meetings, both the Vice President and his hosts heartily indulged in courtesies that commended Ghana’s advancement in democratic governance and people-centered development efforts. They also applauded Korea’s accession to membership of the OECD, its assumption of leadership of the organization this year and the focus on cooperation with Africa that will define that leadership role. In particular, the two countries reaffirmed South Korea’s decision to play an active role in Ghana’s socio-economic development through the strengthening of mutual-beneficial cooperation.
The Vice President showed appreciation for the wealth of goodwill and support expressed by the Korean Government and reassured both the Government and the private sector of the prevailing peace and stability that ensured guaranteed foreign direct investment and joint venture partnerships in the country. He drew attention to several Korean activities that existed in Ghana already.
At the end of the visit, the Vice President and his delegation were assured of collaboration by the leading Korean Group of Companies, STX Corporation, through its subsidiaries and affiliates in undertaking a “Ghana Investment Plan” for which a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the STX Corporation and the Government of Ghana.
Under the Ghana Investment Plan, STX Corporation will make investment for, and execute agreed and commercially viable sub-projects with the Government of Ghana providing the necessary support and cooperation.
The projects included:
1. The National Housing Project (GNHP) under which STX is to build 200,000 units of housing in all the ten regions of Ghana, and for which basic data collection and housing design have been completed since the conclusion of a bilateral agreement in December 2009. Total investment amounting to US$10 billion is estimated for the project.
2. Construction and operation of industrial plants; STX intends to invest for, and build various industrial plants in Ghana including, but not limited to, a cement plant, a rolling mill, and autoclaved lightweight concrete (ALC) plant.
3. Stabilization and improvement of operations of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), under which the Government of Ghana confirms its intension to work with STX to secure stable crude oil supply. STX also confirmed its intention to conduct preliminary feasibility study in the construction and operation of oil tank terminals while the Korea National Petroleum Company (KNOC) also expressed interest in collaborating with GNPC on various petroleum projects.
4. Vocational Training of Ghanaian Human Resources: STX and other organizations have agreed to join Government of Ghana’s efforts to improve work skills of Ghanaian human resources. STX will make its best efforts to secure and arrange Korean Government’s cooperation for GOG to set up a training programme with the assistance of Korea’s Knowledge Sharing Project (KSP) and official Development Assistance (ODA) programme. The KSP and investment programs would also benefit Ghana’s ICT and Public Financial Management (PFM) efforts aimed at improving the economy.
5. Other Potential Cooperation Opportunities; As a world leading shipping and shipbuilding company, STX has expressed firm intent to expand the scope of cooperation with Ghana into the fields of shipping and logistics transport business and construction of commercial and specialized vessels.
In the field of food security, Ghana and Korea agree to share technology and know-how in the agricultural sector. In that connection, Ghana’s Minister for Good and Agriculture has extended his visit to Korea by two days to hold further discussions, initiated during the Vice President’s visit, on mutually-beneficial collaboration with the Korean Rural Development Administration (KRDA) which has tremendous expertise and experience in seed, plants, modernized and mechanized farming.
On bilateral financial relations, the Ghana delegation discussed the EXIM facility with the Korean government and EXIM Bank officials and agreed to take the necessary steps to remove all obstacles that have affected the administration of the facility in recent years. Technically, Ghana is deemed to have defaulted in honoring its full loan obligations as a result of the inability of the two countries to complete the debt-relief process under the HIPC programme. The Korean legislature was required to provide the necessary relief granted by OECD and some non-OECD states to Ghana in accordance with the agreed terms under the HIPC arrangement. This action has now been completed and the two countries have agreed to complete the process expeditiously to allow a new EXIM Bank programme to start this year and fund several of the projects envisaged above.
In cooperation within the wider international community, the Ghana delegation appreciated and commended Korea’s policy towards developing closer collaboration and partnership with Africa within the framework of the Korea-Africa Forum and reassured the Government of Korea of Ghana’s sustained key role in advancing the cause of African development.
The Ghana delegation also reassured the Korean Government of Ghana’s ready disposition to continue to share experiences and concerted efforts in addressing global issues of common interest.
The delegation welcome the prospect of the visit to Africa, including Ghana, by the President of the Republic of Korea in the summer of this year 2010 and considered the visit as an eloquent testimony for renewing shared commitment to further deepen relations to the mutual benefit of the peoples of the two countries.
Story by: Wisdom Awuku (Office Of The Vice President)
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