The government has taken a final decision to withdraw from acquiring any additional shares in the Takoradi International Company (TICO), the operators of the Takoradi Aboadze Thermal Plant (TATP).
Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) own 90% shares in TICO, while the government owns the remaining 10%.
The new chief executive officer (CEO) of Volta River Authority (VRA), Kweku Andoh Awotwi, disclosed this at Akuse in the Eastern Region.
He noted that TAQA will continue holding its 90%, while the government of Ghana will also hold its current 10%.
According to him, the government’s decision to withdraw from the deal is to save enough funds to develop the power generating sector and also to allow the majority shareholder to fully run the company by investing more in the Aboadze Thermal Plant. “Any additional shares involve lots of money,” he added.
Awotwi indicated that with this new arrangement, the TAQA Company will increase the power generated from the Aboadze Thermal Plant from the current 220 megawatts to 330 megawatts, an addition of 110 megawatts.
The previous government expressed interest in acquiring an additional 40% shares in TICO in order to bring its total stake in the power plant to 50%.
The negotiations started when TAQA became a shareholder of TICO in May 2007 after concluding a deal with CMS Energy to acquire the assets of its subsidiary, CMS Generation, which included the latter’s equity stake in the Takoradi Aboadze Thermal Plant (TATP).
The then government was displeased with the TAQA-CMS Energy deal, which was quickly concluded just about the time the country was battling one of its worst energy crisis.
Readers would remember that the crisis ended September 2007, but it was not certain whether the country’s energy sector would not be faced with yet another energy crisis in the face of the then rising crude oil prices on the international market.
Government was not pleased with CMS decision to sell off its stake at the time it did. It thus decided to buy a controlling share of about 51% before the then offer was put on the negotiation table.
The two parties were working on very divergent interests, while government was bidding for more stakes in the power plant, TAQA was also seriously trying to buy off all of government’s stakes.
CMS Energy concluded the transaction of selling CMS Generation to TAQA by selling its shares for about US$900 million. Apart from its 90% stake in the TATP, other interests went to TAQA. These were the Jorf Lasfar Energy Company in Saudi Arabia and the ST CMS Company in India.
By Fred SARPONG
Monday, November 9, 2009
IMF to offer zero interest rate up to 2011
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has announced that low-income countries of the organization, which include Ghana, will enjoy zero interest rates for all concessional loans up to the end of 2011.
Sayeh indicated that the IMF’s Executive Board approved this during their last meeting in the third quarter of this year.
Antoinette Sayeh, the director of the Africa Department, IMF, announced this when she paid a one-day visit to Ghana.
The visit offered her the opportunity to interact with the government officials and stakeholders in the financial sector.
According to her, from 2011, IMF will offer permanent lower interest rates and also bring in a new set of lending instruments, which will streamline conditions and at the same time strengthen their support to Sub-Saharan Africa.
The new IMF concessional lending commitments to low-income countries through mid-July 2009 reached US$2.9 billion compared with US$1.5 billion for the whole of 2008.
The IMF new support package includes mobilization of additional resources, including the sales of an agreed amount of IMF gold, to boost the Fund’s concessional lending capacity up to US$8 billion in the first two years and further to US$17 billion through 2014.
This exceeds the call by the Group of 20 (G-20) for US$6 billion in new lending over two to three years.
Other packages also include doubling of average loan access limits, an Extended Credit Facility (ECF) to provide flexible medium-term support, a Standby Credit Facility (SCF) to address short-term and precautionary needs and a Rapid Credit Facility (RCF), offering emergency support with limited conditionality.
Sayeh commended the government for its effort for stabilizing the economy, stating that the growth rate of between 4.5% and 5% of the Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the period of 2009/2010 is on the low side, but believed that it would improve economic development and poverty reduction.
She said that under the Balance of Payment (BoP) lending arrangement and also the Special Drawing Rights (SDR), IMF has supported the country with US$603 million, specifically for BoP to strengthen the cedi.
At the July meeting, IMF backed a proposal for a new general allocation of $250 billion of SDR into the global economy, of which more than $18 billion will help bolster the foreign exchange reserves and relax the financing constraints of low-income countries.
By Fred SARPONG
Sayeh indicated that the IMF’s Executive Board approved this during their last meeting in the third quarter of this year.
Antoinette Sayeh, the director of the Africa Department, IMF, announced this when she paid a one-day visit to Ghana.
The visit offered her the opportunity to interact with the government officials and stakeholders in the financial sector.
According to her, from 2011, IMF will offer permanent lower interest rates and also bring in a new set of lending instruments, which will streamline conditions and at the same time strengthen their support to Sub-Saharan Africa.
The new IMF concessional lending commitments to low-income countries through mid-July 2009 reached US$2.9 billion compared with US$1.5 billion for the whole of 2008.
The IMF new support package includes mobilization of additional resources, including the sales of an agreed amount of IMF gold, to boost the Fund’s concessional lending capacity up to US$8 billion in the first two years and further to US$17 billion through 2014.
This exceeds the call by the Group of 20 (G-20) for US$6 billion in new lending over two to three years.
Other packages also include doubling of average loan access limits, an Extended Credit Facility (ECF) to provide flexible medium-term support, a Standby Credit Facility (SCF) to address short-term and precautionary needs and a Rapid Credit Facility (RCF), offering emergency support with limited conditionality.
Sayeh commended the government for its effort for stabilizing the economy, stating that the growth rate of between 4.5% and 5% of the Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the period of 2009/2010 is on the low side, but believed that it would improve economic development and poverty reduction.
She said that under the Balance of Payment (BoP) lending arrangement and also the Special Drawing Rights (SDR), IMF has supported the country with US$603 million, specifically for BoP to strengthen the cedi.
At the July meeting, IMF backed a proposal for a new general allocation of $250 billion of SDR into the global economy, of which more than $18 billion will help bolster the foreign exchange reserves and relax the financing constraints of low-income countries.
By Fred SARPONG
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Board makes input into investment regulations
By Fred SARPONG
The Board of Directors of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), chaired by Ishmael Yamson, has made inputs into the new draft of the GIPC regulations, which are under review.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GIPC, George Aboagye, speaking at news briefing in Accra last week, said the board had directed the centre to include the vision of the country in the draft document.
He said they also called for the inclusion in the document the government’s objective of creating more jobs for Ghanaians, especially the youth.
Aboagye indicated that the board also expects that the new regulations will measure up to the current impact of the economy in order to assess the future economic situation of the country.
BusinessWeek learnt that the board said the regulations must be responsive to the needs of the local firms, as well as those of the foreign companies.
The new regulations, GIPC Act 2008, will replace the GIPC 1994 Law.
As a result of these inputs from the board, the centre will hold several meetings with stakeholders before the board takes a critical look at the final document, after which it will be sent to Cabinet for consideration and approval.
The draft document was supposed to be ready by the end of the 3rd quarter of this year, and then sent to Cabinet for scrutiny, but got delayed.
The CEO said even though the review of the document made specific points in the interest of Ghanaian businesses, especially those in the retail sector, the government was acting carefully so that there will be no conflict between Ghanaian and foreign traders.
The careful study of the document by the new administration of the centre is to give a broad room to both local and foreign investors to operate and do business in the country.
However, the proposed regulations want joint venture investment capital to increase from US$10,000 to US$250,000 while investment capital for a firm which is 100% foreign owned to be increased from US$50,000 to US$500,000.
The proposed new law stipulates that investors who will invest in the trading sector will now be required to bring in US$1,000,000, as against the previous amount of US$300,000.
Under the proposed regulations, retail investors are required to employ at least 20 Ghanaians, double the minimum of 10 stipulated under the old law, while 25% of products content must originate from Ghana.
Before the proposed law was sent to Cabinet late last year, it drew protests from foreigners operating in various segments of the services and retail industries.
They claimed the reviewed regulations would hinder foreign investment.
The Board of Directors of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), chaired by Ishmael Yamson, has made inputs into the new draft of the GIPC regulations, which are under review.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GIPC, George Aboagye, speaking at news briefing in Accra last week, said the board had directed the centre to include the vision of the country in the draft document.
He said they also called for the inclusion in the document the government’s objective of creating more jobs for Ghanaians, especially the youth.
Aboagye indicated that the board also expects that the new regulations will measure up to the current impact of the economy in order to assess the future economic situation of the country.
BusinessWeek learnt that the board said the regulations must be responsive to the needs of the local firms, as well as those of the foreign companies.
The new regulations, GIPC Act 2008, will replace the GIPC 1994 Law.
As a result of these inputs from the board, the centre will hold several meetings with stakeholders before the board takes a critical look at the final document, after which it will be sent to Cabinet for consideration and approval.
The draft document was supposed to be ready by the end of the 3rd quarter of this year, and then sent to Cabinet for scrutiny, but got delayed.
The CEO said even though the review of the document made specific points in the interest of Ghanaian businesses, especially those in the retail sector, the government was acting carefully so that there will be no conflict between Ghanaian and foreign traders.
The careful study of the document by the new administration of the centre is to give a broad room to both local and foreign investors to operate and do business in the country.
However, the proposed regulations want joint venture investment capital to increase from US$10,000 to US$250,000 while investment capital for a firm which is 100% foreign owned to be increased from US$50,000 to US$500,000.
The proposed new law stipulates that investors who will invest in the trading sector will now be required to bring in US$1,000,000, as against the previous amount of US$300,000.
Under the proposed regulations, retail investors are required to employ at least 20 Ghanaians, double the minimum of 10 stipulated under the old law, while 25% of products content must originate from Ghana.
Before the proposed law was sent to Cabinet late last year, it drew protests from foreigners operating in various segments of the services and retail industries.
They claimed the reviewed regulations would hinder foreign investment.
Africa export revenues to decline
By Fred SARPONG
Africa export revenue is expected to fall to US$251 billion in 2009 because of the global financial crisis. The affected African countries are mainly the members of World Trade Organization (WTO).
Similarly, oil exporting countries will take the biggest hit, with a shortfall of US$200 billion in 2009.
Dr. Sibry Tapsoba, Head, African Development Institute at the African Development Bank (AfDB), announced this at the 6th Trade Policy Course in Accra last week.
The course was organized by the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Development Bank.
The training course brought together over 100 participants from most of the African countries, including the host Ghana.
Dr. Tapsoba indicated that with exports declining faster than imports, trade balance will deteriorate in most countries.
Exports for 2009 and 2010 have been revised downwards by 40%. As a result, from a comfortable overall current account surplus of 2.7% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for both 2008 and 2007, the continent will record an overall deficit of 4.3% of GDP in 2009.
He reiterated that the continent has been severely hit by the financial crisis, with its growth rate forecasted to be at 2.8% in 2009.
Sub-Sahara Africa is expected to grow at 2.5% while middle income countries have been hit severely due to their relatively higher integration into the global economy.
He added that the slowdown in growth is primarily due to a decline in trade-flow.
Africa has made significant and continuous progress in economic growth, as evidenced by the average annual rate of 5.8% before the occurrence of the economic and financial crises.
This relatively good result has been attributed to various reforms undertaken by African governments to stabilize and liberalize their economies as well as stimulate growth.
However, despite substantial progress in reforming the overall policy environment, Dr. Tapsoba said it would appear that many African countries may not achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The reason is partly attributable to a lack of capacity in public and private sectors in Africa, which has been acknowledged as a major impediment to the attainment of poverty reduction goals.
Dr. Tapsoba has said that “it is therefore evident that no matter the amount of financial resources mobilization for Africa’s development, such funds would yield only limited or modest results if countries do not have the human, organizational and institutional capacity to absorb and effectively utilize them.”
He indicated that for the majority of the countries trade represents the means to overcome the structures of small economics on Africa’s development.
According to him, the emerging development paradigm in Africa sees trade, especially exports, as the engine of economic growth and development.
He noted that trade is of paramount importance and positioning Africa in the Multilateral Trading System is indeed one of Africa’s greatest challenges today.
Dr. Tapsoba said in spite of the importance of trade in Africa’s development, its performance over the past three decades has not been impressive.
He emphasized that the continent’s share in international trade has declined from over 5% in the 1970s to less than 2% today, resulting in the marginalization of the continent in the international arena.
In addition, the continent’s share in commercial services is also flat at 2% of world export over the last two decades.
“A number of factors have contributed to Africa’s declining trade share, including external and internal trade barriers, which include supply-side capacity constraints and ‘behind-the-border’ problem,” said Dr. Tapsoba.
Africa export revenue is expected to fall to US$251 billion in 2009 because of the global financial crisis. The affected African countries are mainly the members of World Trade Organization (WTO).
Similarly, oil exporting countries will take the biggest hit, with a shortfall of US$200 billion in 2009.
Dr. Sibry Tapsoba, Head, African Development Institute at the African Development Bank (AfDB), announced this at the 6th Trade Policy Course in Accra last week.
The course was organized by the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Development Bank.
The training course brought together over 100 participants from most of the African countries, including the host Ghana.
Dr. Tapsoba indicated that with exports declining faster than imports, trade balance will deteriorate in most countries.
Exports for 2009 and 2010 have been revised downwards by 40%. As a result, from a comfortable overall current account surplus of 2.7% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for both 2008 and 2007, the continent will record an overall deficit of 4.3% of GDP in 2009.
He reiterated that the continent has been severely hit by the financial crisis, with its growth rate forecasted to be at 2.8% in 2009.
Sub-Sahara Africa is expected to grow at 2.5% while middle income countries have been hit severely due to their relatively higher integration into the global economy.
He added that the slowdown in growth is primarily due to a decline in trade-flow.
Africa has made significant and continuous progress in economic growth, as evidenced by the average annual rate of 5.8% before the occurrence of the economic and financial crises.
This relatively good result has been attributed to various reforms undertaken by African governments to stabilize and liberalize their economies as well as stimulate growth.
However, despite substantial progress in reforming the overall policy environment, Dr. Tapsoba said it would appear that many African countries may not achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The reason is partly attributable to a lack of capacity in public and private sectors in Africa, which has been acknowledged as a major impediment to the attainment of poverty reduction goals.
Dr. Tapsoba has said that “it is therefore evident that no matter the amount of financial resources mobilization for Africa’s development, such funds would yield only limited or modest results if countries do not have the human, organizational and institutional capacity to absorb and effectively utilize them.”
He indicated that for the majority of the countries trade represents the means to overcome the structures of small economics on Africa’s development.
According to him, the emerging development paradigm in Africa sees trade, especially exports, as the engine of economic growth and development.
He noted that trade is of paramount importance and positioning Africa in the Multilateral Trading System is indeed one of Africa’s greatest challenges today.
Dr. Tapsoba said in spite of the importance of trade in Africa’s development, its performance over the past three decades has not been impressive.
He emphasized that the continent’s share in international trade has declined from over 5% in the 1970s to less than 2% today, resulting in the marginalization of the continent in the international arena.
In addition, the continent’s share in commercial services is also flat at 2% of world export over the last two decades.
“A number of factors have contributed to Africa’s declining trade share, including external and internal trade barriers, which include supply-side capacity constraints and ‘behind-the-border’ problem,” said Dr. Tapsoba.
Friday, October 2, 2009
New BoG Governor not set for immediate reforms
The new Governor of Ghana’s central bank, the Bank of Ghana (BoG), does not intend to make any immediate radical changes in the country’s fiscal regime inspired by former governor Dr Paul Acquah.
The central bank under the eight-year leadership of Dr Acquah introduced key reforms including the redenomination of the cedi and inflation targeting, to consolidate the banking sector and the economy.
But in his first ever interview with Joy Business after being named governor, the new central bank boss, Dr Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur said he would confer with his research team to strengthen the policies already running the system but hinted he is open to alternatives.
“We are in a stable evolving situation, there is not going to be major reversals of policy immediately,” he told Joy Business editor Fred Avornyo.
Dr Amissah-Arthur, who started work September 01, 2009, also appears to have an open mind towards the use of the prime rate to fight inflation.
“Basically, the question we are asking is that if inflation targeting has failed to achieve the result of bringing inflation down to single digit then shouldn’t we look other instruments? …yes we’ll look for other instruments, we’ll examine all the possibilities and, given the targets that we have, we’ll look at the policies, we’ll look at the instruments that can achieve them.”
Prime rate dip
Dr Amissah-Arthur has also expressed optimism the prime rate – which underlines the base rates charged by commercial banks – could drop even further.
A decrease in the prime rate, which currently stands at 18.50%, means a dip in the interest rates charged by the commercial banks on loans.
Dr Amissah-Arthur said the prime rate, which is fixed by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of BoG, could “go down some more because energy prices are stable” while food prices are also expected to drop during this time of the year.
The new BoG Governor has served in many capacities including Deputy Minister of Finance in the NDC administration from April 1993 to March 1997 and after retiring from public office has worked on a number of consultancy assignments.
Story by Fiifi Koomson/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana
The central bank under the eight-year leadership of Dr Acquah introduced key reforms including the redenomination of the cedi and inflation targeting, to consolidate the banking sector and the economy.
But in his first ever interview with Joy Business after being named governor, the new central bank boss, Dr Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur said he would confer with his research team to strengthen the policies already running the system but hinted he is open to alternatives.
“We are in a stable evolving situation, there is not going to be major reversals of policy immediately,” he told Joy Business editor Fred Avornyo.
Dr Amissah-Arthur, who started work September 01, 2009, also appears to have an open mind towards the use of the prime rate to fight inflation.
“Basically, the question we are asking is that if inflation targeting has failed to achieve the result of bringing inflation down to single digit then shouldn’t we look other instruments? …yes we’ll look for other instruments, we’ll examine all the possibilities and, given the targets that we have, we’ll look at the policies, we’ll look at the instruments that can achieve them.”
Prime rate dip
Dr Amissah-Arthur has also expressed optimism the prime rate – which underlines the base rates charged by commercial banks – could drop even further.
A decrease in the prime rate, which currently stands at 18.50%, means a dip in the interest rates charged by the commercial banks on loans.
Dr Amissah-Arthur said the prime rate, which is fixed by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of BoG, could “go down some more because energy prices are stable” while food prices are also expected to drop during this time of the year.
The new BoG Governor has served in many capacities including Deputy Minister of Finance in the NDC administration from April 1993 to March 1997 and after retiring from public office has worked on a number of consultancy assignments.
Story by Fiifi Koomson/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana
Military training for National Service personnel
All national service persons from next year will undergo military training before being dispatched to work at their various stations.
The National Service Secretariat (NSS) said this will equip the personnel physically and mentally, as well as instil in them a sense of patriotism they are expected to acquire at the end of the service.
The Executive Secretary of the secretariat, Mr Vincent Senam Kuagbenu said this in an interview with the press in Accra.
He said his outfit is simply responding to calls to bring back a useful component of the scheme when it was started.
Mr Kuagbenu said the secretariat is currently working on the modalities to ensure a smooth take-off of the programme but hinted the budget for it is huge.
Meanwhile, the NSS has deployed 230 national service persons to assist Members of Parliament (MPs) in the performance of their duties.
The secretariat said the service personnel are expected to conduct researches to facilitate the job of the MPs they are assigned to.
Kuagbenu explained that the move is in fulfilment of a promise by President Mills to get graduates to assist the MPs.
“I don’t expect to see parliamentary research assistants sitting in Parliament, that is not the work of a research assistant,” he said.
He said MPs have for long been unable to scrutinise bills before they are passed into laws because the legislators have had no assistants to help them with their work.
The NSS has posted a total of 60,700 personnel to serve in various sectors including education, health and the private sector.
Source: Joy News/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana
The National Service Secretariat (NSS) said this will equip the personnel physically and mentally, as well as instil in them a sense of patriotism they are expected to acquire at the end of the service.
The Executive Secretary of the secretariat, Mr Vincent Senam Kuagbenu said this in an interview with the press in Accra.
He said his outfit is simply responding to calls to bring back a useful component of the scheme when it was started.
Mr Kuagbenu said the secretariat is currently working on the modalities to ensure a smooth take-off of the programme but hinted the budget for it is huge.
Meanwhile, the NSS has deployed 230 national service persons to assist Members of Parliament (MPs) in the performance of their duties.
The secretariat said the service personnel are expected to conduct researches to facilitate the job of the MPs they are assigned to.
Kuagbenu explained that the move is in fulfilment of a promise by President Mills to get graduates to assist the MPs.
“I don’t expect to see parliamentary research assistants sitting in Parliament, that is not the work of a research assistant,” he said.
He said MPs have for long been unable to scrutinise bills before they are passed into laws because the legislators have had no assistants to help them with their work.
The NSS has posted a total of 60,700 personnel to serve in various sectors including education, health and the private sector.
Source: Joy News/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Insurance C’ssion ceases issuing new licenses
By Fred SARPONG
The National Insurance Commission (NIC), the regulator of the insurance industry, intends to put on hold the issuing of any additional license to prospective insurance investors, as it prepares to map out strategies to strengthen the industry.
In an interview with Isaac Yaw Buabeng in Accra, Head of Marketing, Research and External Relation at the NIC, he indicated that the decision taken by the commission is to make the industry a viable sector for both investors and beneficiaries.
Even though the commission has received some applications from prospective investors, Buabeng said the applications are being put on hold until the commission realizes that the sector is ready for more insurance companies.
As to whether the commission is okay with the minimum stated capital of US$1 million for the companies, Buabeng said that Ghana’s insurance industry is too young to witness such an increase as compared to the Nigeria insurance industry which stated minimum capital stands at US$15 million.
But he quickly added that the commission is asking all the existing insurance companies which want to enter into the oil and gas business should increase their minimum stated capital from the usual US$1 million to US$5 million. “This is because the oil and gas industry business involves a lot of risk,” said Buabeng.
The insurance industry in Ghana has positioned itself to write the oil and gas business. The industry has formed a consortium so that the business is written on co-insurance basis.
The insurance companies will participate in the business according to the strength of their balance sheet. This is done so that the companies can match the liabilities with their assets.
At the end of the day a greater percentage of the business will go into reinsurance until the companies build the required capacity.
After the shares by the Consortium of Insurance Companies, the excess will be reinsured with reinsurance companies on the international market.
A typical package policy is said to be structured with several sections and could be placed as a policy for one unit for one drilling contract or more typically an annual policy for the assured fleet.
A significant proportion of underwriting capacity is also available from the oil companies themselves through the participation of their captive insurance companies. As the oil company grows, building up its market capitalization and developing a spread of assets in different geographical areas, it is able to retain more of its own risks. It is usual for an oil company to self-insure this risk through the establishment of a captive insurance company.
The captive will generally be located in a country where it can be administered in a tax-efficient manner and will be responsible for accepting premiums for the share of risk written by the captive and paying claims there on.
Nowadays captives owned by large multinational companies in the oil sector or otherwise are sophisticated organizations and may participate in various levels of its parent’s programme and may have its own reinsurance network.
The National Insurance Commission (NIC), the regulator of the insurance industry, intends to put on hold the issuing of any additional license to prospective insurance investors, as it prepares to map out strategies to strengthen the industry.
In an interview with Isaac Yaw Buabeng in Accra, Head of Marketing, Research and External Relation at the NIC, he indicated that the decision taken by the commission is to make the industry a viable sector for both investors and beneficiaries.
Even though the commission has received some applications from prospective investors, Buabeng said the applications are being put on hold until the commission realizes that the sector is ready for more insurance companies.
As to whether the commission is okay with the minimum stated capital of US$1 million for the companies, Buabeng said that Ghana’s insurance industry is too young to witness such an increase as compared to the Nigeria insurance industry which stated minimum capital stands at US$15 million.
But he quickly added that the commission is asking all the existing insurance companies which want to enter into the oil and gas business should increase their minimum stated capital from the usual US$1 million to US$5 million. “This is because the oil and gas industry business involves a lot of risk,” said Buabeng.
The insurance industry in Ghana has positioned itself to write the oil and gas business. The industry has formed a consortium so that the business is written on co-insurance basis.
The insurance companies will participate in the business according to the strength of their balance sheet. This is done so that the companies can match the liabilities with their assets.
At the end of the day a greater percentage of the business will go into reinsurance until the companies build the required capacity.
After the shares by the Consortium of Insurance Companies, the excess will be reinsured with reinsurance companies on the international market.
A typical package policy is said to be structured with several sections and could be placed as a policy for one unit for one drilling contract or more typically an annual policy for the assured fleet.
A significant proportion of underwriting capacity is also available from the oil companies themselves through the participation of their captive insurance companies. As the oil company grows, building up its market capitalization and developing a spread of assets in different geographical areas, it is able to retain more of its own risks. It is usual for an oil company to self-insure this risk through the establishment of a captive insurance company.
The captive will generally be located in a country where it can be administered in a tax-efficient manner and will be responsible for accepting premiums for the share of risk written by the captive and paying claims there on.
Nowadays captives owned by large multinational companies in the oil sector or otherwise are sophisticated organizations and may participate in various levels of its parent’s programme and may have its own reinsurance network.
Friday, September 25, 2009
August PPI drop to 14.72%
By Fred Sarpong
Figures available from Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) indicate that ex-factory price of goods measure by the Producer Price Index (PPI) for August 2009 dropped by 1.41% to 14.72% from the July figure of 16.13%.
This implies that the ex-factory prices for all industry, which include manufacturing, mining and quarrying and utilities sub-sectors were on average l4.72% lower in August 2009 than they were in August 2008.
The rates of producer price inflation for these sub-sectors were mining and quarrying, 50.07%; manufacturing, 10.77%; and utilities, 1.49%.
The rate of producer price inflation in August 2009 increase for mining and quarrying by 8.42 percentage points, while manufacturing and utilities went down by 3.6 and 0.29 percentage points respectively than that of July 2009.
The monthly change in the all industry for August PPI was 0.71%. The corresponding changes for the major sub-sectors were: mining and quarrying, 0.51%; manufacturing, 0.84%; and utilities, -0.05%.
In the manufacturing sector, there was an appreciable inflation rates in the manufacture of tanning and dressing of leather (56.19%) sub-groups, while manufacture of cokes, refined petroleum products and nuclear fuel recorded a negative inflation rate of 7.17%.
The all industry year-on-year inflation had been relatively stable for the first five months of 2009, averaging 13.40%. There was however an upsurge in the rate in June, recording 17.94%, the highest for the year before reducing to 14.72% in August 2009.
Mining and quarrying rate sub-sector has exhibited the highest inflation rate since January 2009, followed by manufacturing and utilities sub-sectors.
Figures available from Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) indicate that ex-factory price of goods measure by the Producer Price Index (PPI) for August 2009 dropped by 1.41% to 14.72% from the July figure of 16.13%.
This implies that the ex-factory prices for all industry, which include manufacturing, mining and quarrying and utilities sub-sectors were on average l4.72% lower in August 2009 than they were in August 2008.
The rates of producer price inflation for these sub-sectors were mining and quarrying, 50.07%; manufacturing, 10.77%; and utilities, 1.49%.
The rate of producer price inflation in August 2009 increase for mining and quarrying by 8.42 percentage points, while manufacturing and utilities went down by 3.6 and 0.29 percentage points respectively than that of July 2009.
The monthly change in the all industry for August PPI was 0.71%. The corresponding changes for the major sub-sectors were: mining and quarrying, 0.51%; manufacturing, 0.84%; and utilities, -0.05%.
In the manufacturing sector, there was an appreciable inflation rates in the manufacture of tanning and dressing of leather (56.19%) sub-groups, while manufacture of cokes, refined petroleum products and nuclear fuel recorded a negative inflation rate of 7.17%.
The all industry year-on-year inflation had been relatively stable for the first five months of 2009, averaging 13.40%. There was however an upsurge in the rate in June, recording 17.94%, the highest for the year before reducing to 14.72% in August 2009.
Mining and quarrying rate sub-sector has exhibited the highest inflation rate since January 2009, followed by manufacturing and utilities sub-sectors.
NDC youths demand dismissal of GBC boss
The Youth Activist Network (YAN) of the National Democratic Congress has called for the dismissal of the Director General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, William Ampem-Darko.
In a statement signed by the spokesperson of the group, Otokunor Boamah Peter, YAN expressed its displeasure at the recent failure of GTV to show a live presentation of President John Evans Atta-Mills’ speech during the 64TH Annual UN General Assembly and similar events it was supposed to air.
“The continuous inability of the nation's broadcasting corporation to stick to its intentions of broadcasting live programs is disappointing”, the statement said.
According to YAN, the state broadcaster, though under government’s subvention, continuously exhibits gross “disregard and contempt” in discharging its duties.
This, they charged, was an attempt to sabotage the government “in its bid to improve public access to information”.
Therefore, “YAN calls on the National Media Commission or the Ministry of Information to as a matter of urgency dismiss the Director General of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Dr. William Ampem-Darko and Mr. Moses Gyapong, the Technical Director of GTV."
The group said it would advise itself if the two are not removed from office.
By: Dorcas Efe Mensah/myjoyonline.com/Ghana
In a statement signed by the spokesperson of the group, Otokunor Boamah Peter, YAN expressed its displeasure at the recent failure of GTV to show a live presentation of President John Evans Atta-Mills’ speech during the 64TH Annual UN General Assembly and similar events it was supposed to air.
“The continuous inability of the nation's broadcasting corporation to stick to its intentions of broadcasting live programs is disappointing”, the statement said.
According to YAN, the state broadcaster, though under government’s subvention, continuously exhibits gross “disregard and contempt” in discharging its duties.
This, they charged, was an attempt to sabotage the government “in its bid to improve public access to information”.
Therefore, “YAN calls on the National Media Commission or the Ministry of Information to as a matter of urgency dismiss the Director General of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Dr. William Ampem-Darko and Mr. Moses Gyapong, the Technical Director of GTV."
The group said it would advise itself if the two are not removed from office.
By: Dorcas Efe Mensah/myjoyonline.com/Ghana
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Prime Rate remains 18.5%
The Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of Ghana has decided to keep the Prime Rate at 18.5 per cent.
The decision, announced Wednesday by outgoing Governor, Dr. Paul Acquah, was influenced by a positive outlook for the economy, explaining that barring any significant shocks, pressures on the exchange market should ease considerably as the external current account deficit appears to be unwinding.
“The risks in the outlook relate to the speed with which oil prices might rebound, with recovery of global demand from the financial and economic crisis. Also, while fiscal consolidation is taking place, shortfalls in revenue and donor disbursements and payments of domestic arrears have meant that some payments in the pipeline would have to be settled that could add some stimulus to the economy. However, the risks to inflation and growth appear well balanced with policies working to strengthen the disinflation process that has begun and keep it on the path towards the inflation target of 14.5 percent for the year. In the circumstances, the Monetary Policy Committee decided to leave the prime rate unchanged at 18.5 percent,” Dr. Acquah explained at a press briefing in Accra.
Below is the full statement by the Monetary Policy Committee.
1. Ladies and Gentlemen, you are all welcome to this Monetary Policy Committee press briefing.
2. One year after the collapse of Lehman Brothers which signaled what became one of the worst global economic crisis, all the uncertainties seem to be dissipating. Initial signs on the global front point to recovery, particularly, in the US, Europe and the leading emerging market economies (China and India). Understandably, policy makers are receiving this news with some cautious optimism, warning against pre-mature withdrawal of stimulus measures which could put the recovery at risk.
3. On the domestic front, we have begun to see some signs of stabilization in the third quarter of the year, an indication that the effects of both monetary and fiscal policies are beginning to take hold. The latest surveys show more positive assessment of the general macroeconomic outlook; and a rebound in both business and consumer confidence, with some downward revision of inflation expectations.
4. Data from the Bank’s Composite Index of Economic Activity (CIEA) show a slowdown in the pace of decline in economic activity. The index which had pulled back in the first quarter, increased by 1.4 percent in the three months to July after remaining flat in the preceding quarter. But developments also show that output growth is much closer to the trend rate of some 6 percent, down from 7.3 percent in 2008.
5. Other indicators such as energy supplied by the VRA over the first seven (7) months of the year increased by 10.5 percent to 5.25 million mwh. Supply to the mines and industry (excluding VALCO) over the same period also has seen an upward trend. Benchmark retail sales similarly showed an increase of 10.3 percent over same period of 2008.
6. Headline inflation which was 20.7 percent in June 2009 declined to 20.5 percent in July 2009 and then further to 19.7 percent by the end of August 2009. The decline in inflation was from both food and non-food sources with the non-food exerting a stronger downward force than food inflation, an indication that the impact of the 30 percent rise in petroleum prices in May has fully been contained. The monthly price increases were the lowest of non-food inflation in recent years, and the decline in the food index was also among the steepest.
7. The Bank’s measure of core inflation (defined to exclude energy and utility) began to decline in August by 0.8 percentage points after increasing steadily in the year to July 2009.
8. Provisional data available at the end of July 2009 show a slowdown in the pace of expansion of the key monetary aggregates. Broad money (M2+) grew by 34.9 percent principally due to an increase in foreign currency deposits. This represented a slowdown from 39.7 percent for July 2008.
9. Foreign currency deposits grew by 70.8 percent in year on year terms at the end of July 2009, but up from 49.8 per cent recorded for July 2008. Foreign currency deposits which amounted to GH¢1,816.8 million in December 2008 increased to GH¢ 2,490.2 million in July 2009, compared with GH¢1,458.1 million for July 2008.
10. The latest credit conditions survey by the Bank of Ghana showed a continued general tightening of credit to both households and enterprises and reduced net demand for credit through the third quarter of the year. Non-price terms and conditions such as shortening of the maturity of loans or credit lines, and the requirement of additional loan covenants and collaterals were employed to tighten credit stance in the third quarter of 2009.
11. Provisional estimates of DMBs credit to the private sector and public institutions show deceleration in credit growth. For the 12-month period to July 2009 credit to both private sector and public institutions increased by GH¢1,659.7 million (32.9 percent) compared with GH¢1,635.3 million (48.0 percent) recorded for the same period in 2008. The private sector accounted for GH¢1,447.3 million (87.2 per cent) of the credit flow.
12. Real annual growth of DMBs credit to the private sector was 11.6 percent at the end of July 2009 down from an end of 2008 level of 25.4 per cent and compares with 32.3 per cent at end-July 2008.
13. There were shifts in the distribution of credit flows during the period. The proportion of credit flow to services reduced from 35.9 percent in 2008 to 16.5 percent in July 2009; commerce and finance from 19.1 percent in 2008 to 2.8 percent in July 2009. On the other hand, manufacturing’s share increased from 10.3 percent in 2008 to 15.1 percent in July 2009; electricity and gas from 3.2 percent to 12.8 percent; transport and communication 2.2 percent to 8.4 percent. All other sectors also gained in shares.
14. The banking sector continues to expand as the overall balance sheet registered an annual growth of 31.9 percent at the end of July 2009 compared with 30.7 percent recorded during the same period in 2008. Paid up capital rose from GH¢350.5 million to GH¢627.1 million in July 2009. Total deposits constituted 73.9 percent of the annual flow of funds, while total borrowings also constituted 9.7 percent (a slowdown in growth from 11.8 percent recorded a year ago).
15. Banks external borrowings, as a source of funding continues to be less than 5 percent of their total funding requirements. This confirms that the banks’ less reliance on external borrowings as a source of funding.
16. The ratio of non-performing loans to total loans increased to 11.4 percent in July 2009 from 7.9 percent for the same period in 2008. The industry’s capital adequacy ratio as measured by the ratio of regulatory capital to risk-weighted assets edged up marginally to 14.7 percent, from 14.3 percent in the corresponding period in 2008.
17. Preliminary banking data on the execution of the Government budget for the year up to August 2009 shows a significant reduction in the deficit on a cash basis relative to GDP
18. Total expenditure (excluding foreign financed capital expenditure) at the end of August was GH¢4,439.94 million (20.5 percent of GDP) compared with GH¢4,300.31 million (26.4 percent of GDP) for the same period in 2008. This represents a year-on-year growth of 3.25 percent compared with 41.6 for the same period in 2008. Some GH¢250 million of this spending represent payments for 2008 in arrears.
* Total revenue and grants at the end of August 2009 was GH¢3,703.80 million (17.1 percent of GDP) compared with GH¢3,021.24 million (18.5 percent of GDP) for 2008. In year-on-year terms, total revenue and grants increased by 22.6 percent, compared with 9.7 per cent recorded in 2008.
* Grants for the period amounted to GH¢426.00 million (1.97 percent of GDP) compared with GH¢405.19 million (2.49 percent of GDP) for the same period in 2008.
19. While revenue growth was somewhat robust, the collections represented 78.6 percent of the projection for end September. Donor disbursement for the period was also about 50 percent of projection, leading to a shortfall in projected budget resource envelop. Partly because of this shortfall, there are some outstanding payments including statutory payments to DACF and GETFUND that would need to be settled later in the year.
20. The overall budget operations for the first eight months of the year resulted in a narrow cash deficit (including grants) of GH¢901.55 million (4.17 percent of GDP) compared with GH¢1,433.99 million (8.8 percent of GDP) for the same period in 2008. The deficit was financed mostly on the domestic money market.
21. The stock of domestic debt which was GH¢4,800.2 million (27.2 percent of GDP) at the end of 2008, increased to GH¢5,489.66 million (25.4 percent of GDP) at the end of July 2009. External debt also increased from US$3,9826 million (28.1 percent of GDP) at the end of December 2008 to US$4,470.2 million (30.2 percent of GDP), bringing total public debt stock to US$8,120.04 million (54.9 percent of GDP) at the end of July 2009, up from US$7,918.1 million (54.6 percent of GDP) at the end of December 2008.
22. Interest rates remained broadly stable in the third quarter.
* The benchmark 91-day Treasury bill rate firmed up marginally by 5bps to 25.89 percent at the end of August compared with an increase of 35bps in June.
* The 182 day treasury rate similarly edged-up by 3bps over the same period to 28.85 percent compared with an increase of 103bps in June.
* The 1-year-note rate was unchanged at 21.0 percent in August 2009 after gaining 100bps in March 2009. The 2-year fixed rate note however moved to 25.50 percent in August from 21.0 percent in June 2009.
* The interbank rate edged up by 18bps to 22.72 percent between June and August 2009 compared with an increase of 105bps in June.
23. Average base rate quotations of the banks were revised marginally upward by 37bps between June and August to the range 25.75 percent – 32.0 percent, compared with 160bps increase in the second quarter and 170 bps in the first quarter. Average lending rates remained unchanged at the second quarter level of 32.75 percent and were in the range 25.75 – 40.0 percent
24. The external payments position shows significant adjustment with sharp reduction in the trade and the current account deficits.
25. Total merchandise exports during the first half of 2009 was US$3,056.27 million, compared with US$2,845.83 million for the same period in 2008. Exports of cocoa beans and products grew by 17 percent in year on year terms amounting to US$1,064.8 million for the six month to June, compared with 22.6 percent growth in 2008.
26. Total merchandise imports amounted to US$4,010.67 million in the first half of the year, compared with US$5,000.85 million for 2008 (a decline of 19.8 percent).
* Non-oil import for the period was US$3,429.12 million compared with US$3,674.39 million in 2008.
* Oil imports for the period was US$581.55 million as against US$1,326.46 million for 2008. The significant drop in the oil bill has been driven by lower crude oil imports mainly as a result of shifts in the hydro/thermal mix to 75.8 percent hydro as at July 2009 compared with 52 percent in July 2007; and lower prices for higher product imports.
27. The merchandise trade deficit for the first half of the year narrowed to US$954.4 million in June 2009, compared with US$2,155.02 million for the same period in 2008, with sharp cut in the oil import bill, while exports held firm.
28. The current account (including official transfers) for the first half of the year is provisionally estimated to be in a deficit of US$299.06 million, an improvement of US$1,160.53 million over the deficit recorded for the same period last year.
29. The capital and financial account for the period up to June 2009 however, moved from a surplus of US$845.0 million over the half year of 2008 to a deficit of US$48.84 million in 2009. This was driven mainly by higher amortization of private sector loans and external trade credit, and some redemption of government securities in the midst of the global financial crisis.
30. The consequence was that overall balance of payments deficit reduced to US$625.98 million, as against a deficit of US$782.67 million in 2008.
31. Latest data on trade suggest that exports have increased to US$3,829.13 million at the end of August, and imports to US$5,268.58 million. The trade deficit rose from US$954.4 million as at June to US$1,439.45 million at the end of August 2009.
* Exports of cocoa beans and products for the year to August amounted to US$1,023.85 million (an annual growth of 7.4 percent) compared with US$953.06 million for the same period in 2008 (annual growth of 21.3 percent). Cumulative cocoa purchases in the first eight weeks of Ghana’s Light Crop season (which started on 16 July) of the 2008/09 Crop Year came to 44,930 tonnes (as at 03 September) compared with 16,826 tonnes over the first eight weeks in the light season of the previous crop year.
* Gold export for the period amounted to US$1,624.99 million compared with US$1,601.37 million over the corresponding period of 2008, an annual growth of 1.5 percent, a net effect of both increases in volume and some declines in prices.
* Non-traditional exports on the other hand amounted to US$729.14 million, compared with US$613.64 million for the same period in 2008, representing an annual growth of 18.8 percent.
32. Non-oil imports at the end of August stood at US$4,582.35 million, a decline of 10.5 percent from the US$5,121.55 million for the same period in 2008. This is compared to a growth of 37.3 percent recorded during the same period last year.
* Oil import bill at the end of August increased to US$826.20 million, but compares with US$1,782.77 million for the same period of 2008, a significant annual decline of 53.7 percent.
* Capital and intermediate goods together accounted for 68.7 percent of total imports, down from 69.3 percent for the same period a year earlier.
33. The foreign exchange market showed a reduction in volume of activity. Total purchases and sales in the foreign exchange market by banks and forex bureaux during the period to August 2009 amounted to US$3,903.58 million, a 21.1 percent decline from purchases and sales over the corresponding period in 2008. Foreign exchange purchases amounted to US$1,534.06 million while sales was US$2,369.52 million, resulting in a net sale of US$835.46 million.
34. Private inward transfers – received by NGOs, embassies, service providers, individuals etc. - through the banks in the January – August period of 2009 amounted to US$5.8 billion, which represents 2.9 percent increase over those for the same period in 2008, which had risen by 32.0 percent over the first eight months of 2007.
* Of the total inward transfers in January – August 2009, US$1,003.66 million (or 17.3 percent) accrued to individuals, compared with 19.7 percent in the corresponding period of 2008.
35. Gross international reserves position at the end of August 2009 was US$1,772.14 million. This compares with US$2,036.22 million in December 2008 and US$2,497.28 million in August 2008; and represents 1.7 months cover of imports of goods and services. As at September 18, 2009, Gross international reserves was at US$2,270.21, including new SDR allocations, and represents 2.2 months cover of imports of goods and services.
36. The volatility in the exchange market eased in the third quarter. Developments in the exchange rates of the cedi against the three core currencies – the US dollar, the pound sterling and the euro – show that between January and August 2009, the cedi depreciated, cumulatively, by 16.7 percent against the dollar, 24.7 percent against the Pound Sterling, and 17.5 percent against the Euro. In year-on-year terms, the comparative depreciations were 12.9, 5.4 and 12.5 percents respectively. The depreciation however, slowed down after the first half of the year and the cedi actually appreciated by 1.7 and 0.5 percent against the US dollar and the pound sterling respectively in August. The result was a cumulative real effective depreciation of 8.1 percent in trade-weighted terms compared with 1.8 percent depreciation over the January – August period in 2008.
37. In sum, there are signs of stabilization in prices and in the exchange market. Inflation expectations are beginning to turn around. Consumer price inflation as well as core inflation remain high around 20 percent, but the recent monthly increases have been modest and there are signs of reduced volatility in prices and in the exchange rate of the cedi against the major currencies.
38. Fiscal policy and a tightening of monetary and credit conditions are putting downward pressure on prices as growth eases downward close to trend.
39. The external payments position has benefited from the continuing terms of trade gains, a reduction in energy bill arising from structural shifts in the generation mix of energy, along with lower oil prices. And the external current account deficit seems to be unwinding, and should ease the pressures on the exchange market barring any significant shock.
40. The risks in the outlook relate to the speed with which oil prices might rebound, with recovery of global demand from the financial and economic crisis. Also, while fiscal consolidation is taking place, shortfalls in revenue and donor disbursements and payments of domestic arrears have meant that some payments in the pipeline would have to be settled that could add some stimulus to the economy.
41. However, the risks to inflation and growth appear well balanced with policies working to strengthen the disinflation process that has begun and keep it on the path towards the inflation target of 14.5 percent for the year.
42. In the circumstances, the Monetary Policy Committee decided to leave the prime rate unchanged at 18.5 percent.
Thank you all for your attention.
The decision, announced Wednesday by outgoing Governor, Dr. Paul Acquah, was influenced by a positive outlook for the economy, explaining that barring any significant shocks, pressures on the exchange market should ease considerably as the external current account deficit appears to be unwinding.
“The risks in the outlook relate to the speed with which oil prices might rebound, with recovery of global demand from the financial and economic crisis. Also, while fiscal consolidation is taking place, shortfalls in revenue and donor disbursements and payments of domestic arrears have meant that some payments in the pipeline would have to be settled that could add some stimulus to the economy. However, the risks to inflation and growth appear well balanced with policies working to strengthen the disinflation process that has begun and keep it on the path towards the inflation target of 14.5 percent for the year. In the circumstances, the Monetary Policy Committee decided to leave the prime rate unchanged at 18.5 percent,” Dr. Acquah explained at a press briefing in Accra.
Below is the full statement by the Monetary Policy Committee.
1. Ladies and Gentlemen, you are all welcome to this Monetary Policy Committee press briefing.
2. One year after the collapse of Lehman Brothers which signaled what became one of the worst global economic crisis, all the uncertainties seem to be dissipating. Initial signs on the global front point to recovery, particularly, in the US, Europe and the leading emerging market economies (China and India). Understandably, policy makers are receiving this news with some cautious optimism, warning against pre-mature withdrawal of stimulus measures which could put the recovery at risk.
3. On the domestic front, we have begun to see some signs of stabilization in the third quarter of the year, an indication that the effects of both monetary and fiscal policies are beginning to take hold. The latest surveys show more positive assessment of the general macroeconomic outlook; and a rebound in both business and consumer confidence, with some downward revision of inflation expectations.
4. Data from the Bank’s Composite Index of Economic Activity (CIEA) show a slowdown in the pace of decline in economic activity. The index which had pulled back in the first quarter, increased by 1.4 percent in the three months to July after remaining flat in the preceding quarter. But developments also show that output growth is much closer to the trend rate of some 6 percent, down from 7.3 percent in 2008.
5. Other indicators such as energy supplied by the VRA over the first seven (7) months of the year increased by 10.5 percent to 5.25 million mwh. Supply to the mines and industry (excluding VALCO) over the same period also has seen an upward trend. Benchmark retail sales similarly showed an increase of 10.3 percent over same period of 2008.
6. Headline inflation which was 20.7 percent in June 2009 declined to 20.5 percent in July 2009 and then further to 19.7 percent by the end of August 2009. The decline in inflation was from both food and non-food sources with the non-food exerting a stronger downward force than food inflation, an indication that the impact of the 30 percent rise in petroleum prices in May has fully been contained. The monthly price increases were the lowest of non-food inflation in recent years, and the decline in the food index was also among the steepest.
7. The Bank’s measure of core inflation (defined to exclude energy and utility) began to decline in August by 0.8 percentage points after increasing steadily in the year to July 2009.
8. Provisional data available at the end of July 2009 show a slowdown in the pace of expansion of the key monetary aggregates. Broad money (M2+) grew by 34.9 percent principally due to an increase in foreign currency deposits. This represented a slowdown from 39.7 percent for July 2008.
9. Foreign currency deposits grew by 70.8 percent in year on year terms at the end of July 2009, but up from 49.8 per cent recorded for July 2008. Foreign currency deposits which amounted to GH¢1,816.8 million in December 2008 increased to GH¢ 2,490.2 million in July 2009, compared with GH¢1,458.1 million for July 2008.
10. The latest credit conditions survey by the Bank of Ghana showed a continued general tightening of credit to both households and enterprises and reduced net demand for credit through the third quarter of the year. Non-price terms and conditions such as shortening of the maturity of loans or credit lines, and the requirement of additional loan covenants and collaterals were employed to tighten credit stance in the third quarter of 2009.
11. Provisional estimates of DMBs credit to the private sector and public institutions show deceleration in credit growth. For the 12-month period to July 2009 credit to both private sector and public institutions increased by GH¢1,659.7 million (32.9 percent) compared with GH¢1,635.3 million (48.0 percent) recorded for the same period in 2008. The private sector accounted for GH¢1,447.3 million (87.2 per cent) of the credit flow.
12. Real annual growth of DMBs credit to the private sector was 11.6 percent at the end of July 2009 down from an end of 2008 level of 25.4 per cent and compares with 32.3 per cent at end-July 2008.
13. There were shifts in the distribution of credit flows during the period. The proportion of credit flow to services reduced from 35.9 percent in 2008 to 16.5 percent in July 2009; commerce and finance from 19.1 percent in 2008 to 2.8 percent in July 2009. On the other hand, manufacturing’s share increased from 10.3 percent in 2008 to 15.1 percent in July 2009; electricity and gas from 3.2 percent to 12.8 percent; transport and communication 2.2 percent to 8.4 percent. All other sectors also gained in shares.
14. The banking sector continues to expand as the overall balance sheet registered an annual growth of 31.9 percent at the end of July 2009 compared with 30.7 percent recorded during the same period in 2008. Paid up capital rose from GH¢350.5 million to GH¢627.1 million in July 2009. Total deposits constituted 73.9 percent of the annual flow of funds, while total borrowings also constituted 9.7 percent (a slowdown in growth from 11.8 percent recorded a year ago).
15. Banks external borrowings, as a source of funding continues to be less than 5 percent of their total funding requirements. This confirms that the banks’ less reliance on external borrowings as a source of funding.
16. The ratio of non-performing loans to total loans increased to 11.4 percent in July 2009 from 7.9 percent for the same period in 2008. The industry’s capital adequacy ratio as measured by the ratio of regulatory capital to risk-weighted assets edged up marginally to 14.7 percent, from 14.3 percent in the corresponding period in 2008.
17. Preliminary banking data on the execution of the Government budget for the year up to August 2009 shows a significant reduction in the deficit on a cash basis relative to GDP
18. Total expenditure (excluding foreign financed capital expenditure) at the end of August was GH¢4,439.94 million (20.5 percent of GDP) compared with GH¢4,300.31 million (26.4 percent of GDP) for the same period in 2008. This represents a year-on-year growth of 3.25 percent compared with 41.6 for the same period in 2008. Some GH¢250 million of this spending represent payments for 2008 in arrears.
* Total revenue and grants at the end of August 2009 was GH¢3,703.80 million (17.1 percent of GDP) compared with GH¢3,021.24 million (18.5 percent of GDP) for 2008. In year-on-year terms, total revenue and grants increased by 22.6 percent, compared with 9.7 per cent recorded in 2008.
* Grants for the period amounted to GH¢426.00 million (1.97 percent of GDP) compared with GH¢405.19 million (2.49 percent of GDP) for the same period in 2008.
19. While revenue growth was somewhat robust, the collections represented 78.6 percent of the projection for end September. Donor disbursement for the period was also about 50 percent of projection, leading to a shortfall in projected budget resource envelop. Partly because of this shortfall, there are some outstanding payments including statutory payments to DACF and GETFUND that would need to be settled later in the year.
20. The overall budget operations for the first eight months of the year resulted in a narrow cash deficit (including grants) of GH¢901.55 million (4.17 percent of GDP) compared with GH¢1,433.99 million (8.8 percent of GDP) for the same period in 2008. The deficit was financed mostly on the domestic money market.
21. The stock of domestic debt which was GH¢4,800.2 million (27.2 percent of GDP) at the end of 2008, increased to GH¢5,489.66 million (25.4 percent of GDP) at the end of July 2009. External debt also increased from US$3,9826 million (28.1 percent of GDP) at the end of December 2008 to US$4,470.2 million (30.2 percent of GDP), bringing total public debt stock to US$8,120.04 million (54.9 percent of GDP) at the end of July 2009, up from US$7,918.1 million (54.6 percent of GDP) at the end of December 2008.
22. Interest rates remained broadly stable in the third quarter.
* The benchmark 91-day Treasury bill rate firmed up marginally by 5bps to 25.89 percent at the end of August compared with an increase of 35bps in June.
* The 182 day treasury rate similarly edged-up by 3bps over the same period to 28.85 percent compared with an increase of 103bps in June.
* The 1-year-note rate was unchanged at 21.0 percent in August 2009 after gaining 100bps in March 2009. The 2-year fixed rate note however moved to 25.50 percent in August from 21.0 percent in June 2009.
* The interbank rate edged up by 18bps to 22.72 percent between June and August 2009 compared with an increase of 105bps in June.
23. Average base rate quotations of the banks were revised marginally upward by 37bps between June and August to the range 25.75 percent – 32.0 percent, compared with 160bps increase in the second quarter and 170 bps in the first quarter. Average lending rates remained unchanged at the second quarter level of 32.75 percent and were in the range 25.75 – 40.0 percent
24. The external payments position shows significant adjustment with sharp reduction in the trade and the current account deficits.
25. Total merchandise exports during the first half of 2009 was US$3,056.27 million, compared with US$2,845.83 million for the same period in 2008. Exports of cocoa beans and products grew by 17 percent in year on year terms amounting to US$1,064.8 million for the six month to June, compared with 22.6 percent growth in 2008.
26. Total merchandise imports amounted to US$4,010.67 million in the first half of the year, compared with US$5,000.85 million for 2008 (a decline of 19.8 percent).
* Non-oil import for the period was US$3,429.12 million compared with US$3,674.39 million in 2008.
* Oil imports for the period was US$581.55 million as against US$1,326.46 million for 2008. The significant drop in the oil bill has been driven by lower crude oil imports mainly as a result of shifts in the hydro/thermal mix to 75.8 percent hydro as at July 2009 compared with 52 percent in July 2007; and lower prices for higher product imports.
27. The merchandise trade deficit for the first half of the year narrowed to US$954.4 million in June 2009, compared with US$2,155.02 million for the same period in 2008, with sharp cut in the oil import bill, while exports held firm.
28. The current account (including official transfers) for the first half of the year is provisionally estimated to be in a deficit of US$299.06 million, an improvement of US$1,160.53 million over the deficit recorded for the same period last year.
29. The capital and financial account for the period up to June 2009 however, moved from a surplus of US$845.0 million over the half year of 2008 to a deficit of US$48.84 million in 2009. This was driven mainly by higher amortization of private sector loans and external trade credit, and some redemption of government securities in the midst of the global financial crisis.
30. The consequence was that overall balance of payments deficit reduced to US$625.98 million, as against a deficit of US$782.67 million in 2008.
31. Latest data on trade suggest that exports have increased to US$3,829.13 million at the end of August, and imports to US$5,268.58 million. The trade deficit rose from US$954.4 million as at June to US$1,439.45 million at the end of August 2009.
* Exports of cocoa beans and products for the year to August amounted to US$1,023.85 million (an annual growth of 7.4 percent) compared with US$953.06 million for the same period in 2008 (annual growth of 21.3 percent). Cumulative cocoa purchases in the first eight weeks of Ghana’s Light Crop season (which started on 16 July) of the 2008/09 Crop Year came to 44,930 tonnes (as at 03 September) compared with 16,826 tonnes over the first eight weeks in the light season of the previous crop year.
* Gold export for the period amounted to US$1,624.99 million compared with US$1,601.37 million over the corresponding period of 2008, an annual growth of 1.5 percent, a net effect of both increases in volume and some declines in prices.
* Non-traditional exports on the other hand amounted to US$729.14 million, compared with US$613.64 million for the same period in 2008, representing an annual growth of 18.8 percent.
32. Non-oil imports at the end of August stood at US$4,582.35 million, a decline of 10.5 percent from the US$5,121.55 million for the same period in 2008. This is compared to a growth of 37.3 percent recorded during the same period last year.
* Oil import bill at the end of August increased to US$826.20 million, but compares with US$1,782.77 million for the same period of 2008, a significant annual decline of 53.7 percent.
* Capital and intermediate goods together accounted for 68.7 percent of total imports, down from 69.3 percent for the same period a year earlier.
33. The foreign exchange market showed a reduction in volume of activity. Total purchases and sales in the foreign exchange market by banks and forex bureaux during the period to August 2009 amounted to US$3,903.58 million, a 21.1 percent decline from purchases and sales over the corresponding period in 2008. Foreign exchange purchases amounted to US$1,534.06 million while sales was US$2,369.52 million, resulting in a net sale of US$835.46 million.
34. Private inward transfers – received by NGOs, embassies, service providers, individuals etc. - through the banks in the January – August period of 2009 amounted to US$5.8 billion, which represents 2.9 percent increase over those for the same period in 2008, which had risen by 32.0 percent over the first eight months of 2007.
* Of the total inward transfers in January – August 2009, US$1,003.66 million (or 17.3 percent) accrued to individuals, compared with 19.7 percent in the corresponding period of 2008.
35. Gross international reserves position at the end of August 2009 was US$1,772.14 million. This compares with US$2,036.22 million in December 2008 and US$2,497.28 million in August 2008; and represents 1.7 months cover of imports of goods and services. As at September 18, 2009, Gross international reserves was at US$2,270.21, including new SDR allocations, and represents 2.2 months cover of imports of goods and services.
36. The volatility in the exchange market eased in the third quarter. Developments in the exchange rates of the cedi against the three core currencies – the US dollar, the pound sterling and the euro – show that between January and August 2009, the cedi depreciated, cumulatively, by 16.7 percent against the dollar, 24.7 percent against the Pound Sterling, and 17.5 percent against the Euro. In year-on-year terms, the comparative depreciations were 12.9, 5.4 and 12.5 percents respectively. The depreciation however, slowed down after the first half of the year and the cedi actually appreciated by 1.7 and 0.5 percent against the US dollar and the pound sterling respectively in August. The result was a cumulative real effective depreciation of 8.1 percent in trade-weighted terms compared with 1.8 percent depreciation over the January – August period in 2008.
37. In sum, there are signs of stabilization in prices and in the exchange market. Inflation expectations are beginning to turn around. Consumer price inflation as well as core inflation remain high around 20 percent, but the recent monthly increases have been modest and there are signs of reduced volatility in prices and in the exchange rate of the cedi against the major currencies.
38. Fiscal policy and a tightening of monetary and credit conditions are putting downward pressure on prices as growth eases downward close to trend.
39. The external payments position has benefited from the continuing terms of trade gains, a reduction in energy bill arising from structural shifts in the generation mix of energy, along with lower oil prices. And the external current account deficit seems to be unwinding, and should ease the pressures on the exchange market barring any significant shock.
40. The risks in the outlook relate to the speed with which oil prices might rebound, with recovery of global demand from the financial and economic crisis. Also, while fiscal consolidation is taking place, shortfalls in revenue and donor disbursements and payments of domestic arrears have meant that some payments in the pipeline would have to be settled that could add some stimulus to the economy.
41. However, the risks to inflation and growth appear well balanced with policies working to strengthen the disinflation process that has begun and keep it on the path towards the inflation target of 14.5 percent for the year.
42. In the circumstances, the Monetary Policy Committee decided to leave the prime rate unchanged at 18.5 percent.
Thank you all for your attention.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Mixed reactions over interest rate
Source: Business Guide
With the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) set to announce developments in the economy during the last three months and also make projections for the next quarter this week, economic analysts have expressed varied opinions regarding the maintenance or change in the Prime Rate- the rate at which the Central Bank does its lending to universal banks.
The benchmark indicator of the Central Bank would be the major issue that most analysts, market watchers and private sector players would be keen in monitoring.
In Ghana, the difference between deposit interest rates and lending rates are so wide that anytime interest rates rise, the banks tend to benefit while consumers suffer.
While Nana Amoto Mensah, an economic analyst with Ecobank Development Corporation (EDC) expects the current prime rate of 18.5 percent to be preserved since inflation pressures still exist, Richard Agala, Head of Research, IC Securities, an investment bank, anticipates the marginal decline in the rate to bolster economic activity.
However, Mr. Agala stated that the rate might be the same to allow the new Governor to implement his policies.
Sampson Akligoh, an economic analyst with Databank also explains that though inflation would further decline in September whilst the outlook is also favorable, a more cautious approach would force the MPC to maintain the interest rate at the same level.
“As much as the Prime Rate is targeted at inflation, the outlook for inflation for the next three months looks positive.
Thus the government should take bolder steps to reduce the interest rate. However, it might want to continue with the austerity measure to maintain the fiscal situation of the country,” said Akligoh.
He added that keeping interest rates low would boost the private sector to improve growth this year which the International Monetary Fund has pegged at 4.5 percent.
Speaking in separate interviews with BUSINESS GUIDE, Mr. Mensah said though inflation had remained stable at 19.65 percent for August, it had not been that low to push for a reduction in the Prime Rate.
“If inflation has been driven by external factors, tackling it with internal measures would not help what we want to achieve.”
Since economic managers want to stay cautious because of internal and external happenings, Mr. Mensah added that the benchmark interest rate would remain the same.
“We have seen an MPC that has not made changes to its policy over the last months, hence we may not expect significant changes in the projections,” said Mr. Agala.
Ideally, looking at the fact that the half year budget was aimed at stabilizing the economy, there should have been an attempt to marginally reduce the interest rate indicator to move the economy from stabilization to growth.
“The outlook of the economy looks robust so we should do things that would involve a vibrant private sector.”
The BoG has been able to keep the Ghanaian Cedi relatively stable against the major foreign currencies for the last two months and was urged to adopt a new foreign exchange policy to support a steady depreciation of the country’s currency in the medium to long-term.
Presently, the country’s inflation rate indicates that the Bank of Ghana’s inflation target policy to mop up excess liquidity has helped check excessive spending in the economy.
This indicates that the MPC might not alter the current Prime Rate.
Some economic indicators including fiscal and trade deficits, foreign reserves and other important indicators would also be reviewed by MPC.
It would also assess the business risk factors and announce the evaluation of the economy and other new developments in a press conference next week.
Additionally, the committee is expected to evaluate the Central Bank’s assessment of the economy and suggest appropriate policies to adopt.
With the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) set to announce developments in the economy during the last three months and also make projections for the next quarter this week, economic analysts have expressed varied opinions regarding the maintenance or change in the Prime Rate- the rate at which the Central Bank does its lending to universal banks.
The benchmark indicator of the Central Bank would be the major issue that most analysts, market watchers and private sector players would be keen in monitoring.
In Ghana, the difference between deposit interest rates and lending rates are so wide that anytime interest rates rise, the banks tend to benefit while consumers suffer.
While Nana Amoto Mensah, an economic analyst with Ecobank Development Corporation (EDC) expects the current prime rate of 18.5 percent to be preserved since inflation pressures still exist, Richard Agala, Head of Research, IC Securities, an investment bank, anticipates the marginal decline in the rate to bolster economic activity.
However, Mr. Agala stated that the rate might be the same to allow the new Governor to implement his policies.
Sampson Akligoh, an economic analyst with Databank also explains that though inflation would further decline in September whilst the outlook is also favorable, a more cautious approach would force the MPC to maintain the interest rate at the same level.
“As much as the Prime Rate is targeted at inflation, the outlook for inflation for the next three months looks positive.
Thus the government should take bolder steps to reduce the interest rate. However, it might want to continue with the austerity measure to maintain the fiscal situation of the country,” said Akligoh.
He added that keeping interest rates low would boost the private sector to improve growth this year which the International Monetary Fund has pegged at 4.5 percent.
Speaking in separate interviews with BUSINESS GUIDE, Mr. Mensah said though inflation had remained stable at 19.65 percent for August, it had not been that low to push for a reduction in the Prime Rate.
“If inflation has been driven by external factors, tackling it with internal measures would not help what we want to achieve.”
Since economic managers want to stay cautious because of internal and external happenings, Mr. Mensah added that the benchmark interest rate would remain the same.
“We have seen an MPC that has not made changes to its policy over the last months, hence we may not expect significant changes in the projections,” said Mr. Agala.
Ideally, looking at the fact that the half year budget was aimed at stabilizing the economy, there should have been an attempt to marginally reduce the interest rate indicator to move the economy from stabilization to growth.
“The outlook of the economy looks robust so we should do things that would involve a vibrant private sector.”
The BoG has been able to keep the Ghanaian Cedi relatively stable against the major foreign currencies for the last two months and was urged to adopt a new foreign exchange policy to support a steady depreciation of the country’s currency in the medium to long-term.
Presently, the country’s inflation rate indicates that the Bank of Ghana’s inflation target policy to mop up excess liquidity has helped check excessive spending in the economy.
This indicates that the MPC might not alter the current Prime Rate.
Some economic indicators including fiscal and trade deficits, foreign reserves and other important indicators would also be reviewed by MPC.
It would also assess the business risk factors and announce the evaluation of the economy and other new developments in a press conference next week.
Additionally, the committee is expected to evaluate the Central Bank’s assessment of the economy and suggest appropriate policies to adopt.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Nigeria: Journalist murdered
Source: Thisdayonline.com
A little over a year after a member of THISDAY Editorial Board, Mr. Abayomi Ogundeji, was murdered by suspected armed robbers, another journalist with Guardian Newspapers, Mr. Bayo Ohu, was yesterday morning killed by unknown gunmen.
Ohu, the Assistant Political Editor with The Guardian, was murdered by assassins at his No 9 Oyeniyi Street, Odukoya Estate, Egbeda, a suburb of Lagos.
According to an eyewitness, the deceased was killed by a five-man gang, who got to the area around 6.30am in a white Toyota Camry car, but waited till around 7am before going after their target.
“One of the gunmen stayed in the car, while the other four went inside. Two of them stood at the entrance to the flat while the other two rang the bell, and coincidentally it was Bayo who opened the door to allow the visitors in.
“Two of them went into the flat while the others stayed outside, probably to ward off any intruder and to inform those inside of any impending danger,” the witness said.
THISDAY learnt that immediately the assassins saw him, they shot him several times and one of the assailants went into his apartment and came out with the laptop.
While the attack was in progress, the deceased’s neighbours, curious of what was going on came out of their different apartments, but quickly scampered for safety when the gunmen started shooting sporadically into the air.
It was as a result of the ensuing confusion that the killers were able to get away.
When THISDAY visited the area yesterday, some of the neighbours, who gathered in groups outside his apartment discussing the fate that befell the journalist, said the assailants knew what they were there for and who they were looking for going by the professional way they carried out the job.
“It was several hours later that people started trooping out of the house to catch a glimpse of the lifeless body of the deceased as he was being carried into a vehicle to the hospital,” another eyewitness said.
Convinced that the gunmen were paid to assassinate Ohu, the neighbours pointed to the fact that it was only the flat that was raided and after killing their victim, the assailants made away with his laptop.
“Bayo may have stumbled on an important information, which was injurious to the image of those behind the killing. They also knew that those facts may be stored in the victim’s laptop hence the decision to go with it,” the witness added.
Confirming the incident to THISDAY on phone, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Frank Mba, said it was a case of armed robbery and murder.
Mba, a Superintendent of Police (SP), ruled out assassination.
“The police do not work on rumour. What we know is that some armed robbers shot their way into No 9 Oyeniyi Street, Odukoya Estate, Egbeda¸ which happens to be a residential house. The gunmen shot their victim dead, before bolting away with his laptop,” he said.
The PPRO further said that the vehicle used by the robbers had been recovered by the police.
He insisted that the case was a poor case of armed robbery/murder and not assassination, but that the command would not leave any stone unturned in its determination to unravel the crime.
“We do not want to join the train of speculators, but that it is only forensic investigation that could give the police a lead into the matter,” he added.
Ogundeji was also killed in controversial circumstances on August 17, 2008 at the Dopemu area of Lagos, and a coroner's inquest to unravel the circumstances leading to his death, which began on Friday, January 23, 2008 at the instance of the Lagos chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) is still ongoing.
A little over a year after a member of THISDAY Editorial Board, Mr. Abayomi Ogundeji, was murdered by suspected armed robbers, another journalist with Guardian Newspapers, Mr. Bayo Ohu, was yesterday morning killed by unknown gunmen.
Ohu, the Assistant Political Editor with The Guardian, was murdered by assassins at his No 9 Oyeniyi Street, Odukoya Estate, Egbeda, a suburb of Lagos.
According to an eyewitness, the deceased was killed by a five-man gang, who got to the area around 6.30am in a white Toyota Camry car, but waited till around 7am before going after their target.
“One of the gunmen stayed in the car, while the other four went inside. Two of them stood at the entrance to the flat while the other two rang the bell, and coincidentally it was Bayo who opened the door to allow the visitors in.
“Two of them went into the flat while the others stayed outside, probably to ward off any intruder and to inform those inside of any impending danger,” the witness said.
THISDAY learnt that immediately the assassins saw him, they shot him several times and one of the assailants went into his apartment and came out with the laptop.
While the attack was in progress, the deceased’s neighbours, curious of what was going on came out of their different apartments, but quickly scampered for safety when the gunmen started shooting sporadically into the air.
It was as a result of the ensuing confusion that the killers were able to get away.
When THISDAY visited the area yesterday, some of the neighbours, who gathered in groups outside his apartment discussing the fate that befell the journalist, said the assailants knew what they were there for and who they were looking for going by the professional way they carried out the job.
“It was several hours later that people started trooping out of the house to catch a glimpse of the lifeless body of the deceased as he was being carried into a vehicle to the hospital,” another eyewitness said.
Convinced that the gunmen were paid to assassinate Ohu, the neighbours pointed to the fact that it was only the flat that was raided and after killing their victim, the assailants made away with his laptop.
“Bayo may have stumbled on an important information, which was injurious to the image of those behind the killing. They also knew that those facts may be stored in the victim’s laptop hence the decision to go with it,” the witness added.
Confirming the incident to THISDAY on phone, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Frank Mba, said it was a case of armed robbery and murder.
Mba, a Superintendent of Police (SP), ruled out assassination.
“The police do not work on rumour. What we know is that some armed robbers shot their way into No 9 Oyeniyi Street, Odukoya Estate, Egbeda¸ which happens to be a residential house. The gunmen shot their victim dead, before bolting away with his laptop,” he said.
The PPRO further said that the vehicle used by the robbers had been recovered by the police.
He insisted that the case was a poor case of armed robbery/murder and not assassination, but that the command would not leave any stone unturned in its determination to unravel the crime.
“We do not want to join the train of speculators, but that it is only forensic investigation that could give the police a lead into the matter,” he added.
Ogundeji was also killed in controversial circumstances on August 17, 2008 at the Dopemu area of Lagos, and a coroner's inquest to unravel the circumstances leading to his death, which began on Friday, January 23, 2008 at the instance of the Lagos chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) is still ongoing.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
GLICO Group give GH¢202,000 to Black Satellites
By Fred SARPONG
The Glico Life Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Glico General, one of the leading insurance firms in the country has presented a sponsorship package of GH¢202,000 to the Ghana Black Satellites in Accra last week.
The package includes a personal accident cover of GH¢200,000 for the 30 players and the team officials together with a cash of GH¢2,000 for the team towards their preparation to the World Youth Tournament (U-20) to held in Egypt next month.
The package is to motivate the entire team as well as supporting government and the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
Presenting the package to the team officials and GFA by a Executive Director of the company, Francisca Nyamekye Karikari said the package shall also include GH¢2,000 should the team qualify from its group stage in the first round; GH¢5,000 should the team win the cup; and GH¢2,500 should the team place second.
According to her, the company shall also give out thirty branded Polo T’ shirts to the team and the officials for use during the tournament.
She indicated that the company shall also afford the teaming supporters back home an opportunity of winning cash prizes by giving them the opportunity to predict the score of all the matches of the Satellites.
The Glico Life Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Glico General, one of the leading insurance firms in the country has presented a sponsorship package of GH¢202,000 to the Ghana Black Satellites in Accra last week.
The package includes a personal accident cover of GH¢200,000 for the 30 players and the team officials together with a cash of GH¢2,000 for the team towards their preparation to the World Youth Tournament (U-20) to held in Egypt next month.
The package is to motivate the entire team as well as supporting government and the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
Presenting the package to the team officials and GFA by a Executive Director of the company, Francisca Nyamekye Karikari said the package shall also include GH¢2,000 should the team qualify from its group stage in the first round; GH¢5,000 should the team win the cup; and GH¢2,500 should the team place second.
According to her, the company shall also give out thirty branded Polo T’ shirts to the team and the officials for use during the tournament.
She indicated that the company shall also afford the teaming supporters back home an opportunity of winning cash prizes by giving them the opportunity to predict the score of all the matches of the Satellites.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Kyoto Protocol market mechanism strives to grow, improve for good of present and future generations
Private and public sector stakeholders from 20 countries gathered in Ukraine this week to find ways to speed up and scale up a key market mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol, and ensure that lessons learned are carried to the critical international climate change conference in Copenhagen in December.
"The international consensus is clear: climate change is a global threat that requires a global response. It is equally clear that addressing climate change will take a great deal of resources. The Kyoto Protocol’s
market-based mechanisms, including Joint Implementation, are among the few tools we have at our disposal, now, up and running, that can help deliver those resources," said Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The Executive Secretary was marking the close of a two-day workshop of project developers, investors, national approval agencies and experts involved in Joint Implementation (JI). Under the mechanism, projects in any country with a commitment under the Kyoto Protocol can earn saleable, tradable emission reduction units (ERUs) by reducing greenhouse gas emissions below business-as-usual. Countries and companies can use ERUs to cover a part of their commitments under the Protocol.
Among other things, participants at the 6th JI Technical Workshop, the first held in a JI host country, shared their views on the future of JI after 2012, affirming a consensus by Parties to the UNFCCC negotiations that the mechanisms will continue to have an important role to play.
"Parties have already said that the Kyoto Protocol mechanisms – emissions trading, JI, and the clean development mechanism, with its projects in developing countries – should continue. Parties have also said that the mechanisms could be improved. The results of the technical workshop will help define those improvements, and thus contribute to a positive outcome in Copenhagen," Mr. de Boer said.
Stakeholders expressed their views on how to further facilitate implementation of JI. Their discussions focused on existing, country-specific and process related barriers to effective and full implementation of the mechanism. These will be considered further by the Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee (JISC), which begins today in Kiev its 17th regular meeting.
"Ukraine is the leading host country for JI projects with 11 approved projects under the Track 1 and Track 2 processes already. Our efforts to mitigate climate change through environmentally sound project-based emissions reductions are significant and growing. We hope the lessons learned here can help spur the mechanism’s growth throughout the region, and beyond," said Igor Lupaltsov, Head of the National Environmental Investment Agency of Ukraine, the hosting agency.
The more than 200 participants made observations that might stimulate the growth of JI now, in the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, 2008–2012. They also kept one eye to the future.
"It makes sense that experiences to date should be taken into account in the ongoing negotiating process under the UNFCCC, with a view to further facilitating the implementation of the mechanisms in the future. Joint Implementation is having a positive effect now, and it will do so in the future, if we make good use of the lessons learned," said Ricarda Rieger, Country Director, United Nations Development Programme, Ukraine, which helped to organize and run the workshop.
When it meets this week, the JISC will consider the inputs from the technical workshop with a view to adopting new guidance and procedures by its 19th meeting, to be held in Copenhagen in December, just prior to the international climate change conference. The next meeting of the JISC will be held in Bonn, Germany, on 22–23 October this year.
"The international consensus is clear: climate change is a global threat that requires a global response. It is equally clear that addressing climate change will take a great deal of resources. The Kyoto Protocol’s
market-based mechanisms, including Joint Implementation, are among the few tools we have at our disposal, now, up and running, that can help deliver those resources," said Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The Executive Secretary was marking the close of a two-day workshop of project developers, investors, national approval agencies and experts involved in Joint Implementation (JI). Under the mechanism, projects in any country with a commitment under the Kyoto Protocol can earn saleable, tradable emission reduction units (ERUs) by reducing greenhouse gas emissions below business-as-usual. Countries and companies can use ERUs to cover a part of their commitments under the Protocol.
Among other things, participants at the 6th JI Technical Workshop, the first held in a JI host country, shared their views on the future of JI after 2012, affirming a consensus by Parties to the UNFCCC negotiations that the mechanisms will continue to have an important role to play.
"Parties have already said that the Kyoto Protocol mechanisms – emissions trading, JI, and the clean development mechanism, with its projects in developing countries – should continue. Parties have also said that the mechanisms could be improved. The results of the technical workshop will help define those improvements, and thus contribute to a positive outcome in Copenhagen," Mr. de Boer said.
Stakeholders expressed their views on how to further facilitate implementation of JI. Their discussions focused on existing, country-specific and process related barriers to effective and full implementation of the mechanism. These will be considered further by the Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee (JISC), which begins today in Kiev its 17th regular meeting.
"Ukraine is the leading host country for JI projects with 11 approved projects under the Track 1 and Track 2 processes already. Our efforts to mitigate climate change through environmentally sound project-based emissions reductions are significant and growing. We hope the lessons learned here can help spur the mechanism’s growth throughout the region, and beyond," said Igor Lupaltsov, Head of the National Environmental Investment Agency of Ukraine, the hosting agency.
The more than 200 participants made observations that might stimulate the growth of JI now, in the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, 2008–2012. They also kept one eye to the future.
"It makes sense that experiences to date should be taken into account in the ongoing negotiating process under the UNFCCC, with a view to further facilitating the implementation of the mechanisms in the future. Joint Implementation is having a positive effect now, and it will do so in the future, if we make good use of the lessons learned," said Ricarda Rieger, Country Director, United Nations Development Programme, Ukraine, which helped to organize and run the workshop.
When it meets this week, the JISC will consider the inputs from the technical workshop with a view to adopting new guidance and procedures by its 19th meeting, to be held in Copenhagen in December, just prior to the international climate change conference. The next meeting of the JISC will be held in Bonn, Germany, on 22–23 October this year.
e.tv Ghana available on Sky TV
e.tv Ghana, the latest free-to-air television channel, with very exciting and scintillating programming has entered into a broadcasting agreement with Sky television network, a pay-television provider in Ghana.
This agreement adds e.tv Ghana to the Sky TV bouquet. This means that viewers outside Accra with a Sky TV set-up box will be able to enjoy e.tv Ghana in the comfort of their homes.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of e-tv Ghana, Akwasi Agyeman says “we are very happy to be involved in this venture with Sky TV. e.tv Ghana stands for quality and true entertainment. We believe Sky TV channel is a good partner who also does not compromise on quality. Together with Sky TV, we hope to reach every home in Ghana with all the stimulating programmes on the e.tv Ghana menu”.
“We’ve had a lot of complains ever since e-tv was taken off our bouquet. This new development with e.tv Ghana will be of great joy to our numerous viewers across Ghana. They have been spoilt with e.tv’s quality programming and cannot accept anything less” says Wilson Arthur, CEO of Sky Digital TV.
This agreement adds e.tv Ghana to the Sky TV bouquet. This means that viewers outside Accra with a Sky TV set-up box will be able to enjoy e.tv Ghana in the comfort of their homes.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of e-tv Ghana, Akwasi Agyeman says “we are very happy to be involved in this venture with Sky TV. e.tv Ghana stands for quality and true entertainment. We believe Sky TV channel is a good partner who also does not compromise on quality. Together with Sky TV, we hope to reach every home in Ghana with all the stimulating programmes on the e.tv Ghana menu”.
“We’ve had a lot of complains ever since e-tv was taken off our bouquet. This new development with e.tv Ghana will be of great joy to our numerous viewers across Ghana. They have been spoilt with e.tv’s quality programming and cannot accept anything less” says Wilson Arthur, CEO of Sky Digital TV.
Joyce Aryee Chairs Omatek Directors
Joyce Aryee, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Chamber of Mines has been named as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors of Omatek Computers Ghana Limited.
According to the management of Omatek Computers her appointment was an important decision aimed at upholding and promoting the exigencies of advancing information technology application in Ghana.
The company equally said that it believes that Aryee’s will bring her immense experiences aboard the company’s business to further propel Omatek in line with it’s corporate vision to be the leading ITC company in Africa by 2010.
The new appointment of Joyce Aryee, who is also the chairperson of the Ghana mines, has been described as another feather to her cap by industry watchers.
Her appointment coincided with the formal visit of the Minister of Communication, Haruna Iddrisu who was on a tour of the company’s factory facilities in Accra.
Enthused, Aryee thanked the Minister for the visit and used the opportunity to make several ICT industry related requests. Amongst these was her call on the government to implement zero per cent duty on Complete Knock Down (CKD) computer components. She reiterated that the zero duty will encourage locally produced computers. Furthermore, she urged that government should “reduce VAT from 15% on CKD parts for Omatek computers and to afford Omatek necessary incentives because of its pioneer status.”
The Minister in his response thanked Omatek Computers for its contribution to the economy of Ghana through creation of employment opportunity for the youth and income generation for the country through taxes.
Iddrisu described Aryee as a woman who does not accept no for answers and therefore a brilliant choice as the Chairperson of the board of Omatek.
He promised to partner with the Ministry of Education to launch a comprehensive e-school project to make computers available to all schools.
According to him, “My priority is to collaborate with the Ministry of Education to launch a comprehensive e-School Project which will make computers available to all schools “He said.
He observed that the present leadership under President Atta Mills believes in continuity of good projects. He therefore promised to continue the Omatek computer project in Ghana which was commenced by his predecessor, Dr Benjamin Aggry-Ntim in 2007.
Omatek Computers is the first computer company to locally produce computer systems from a completely Knocked Down parts in Africa.
According to the management of Omatek Computers her appointment was an important decision aimed at upholding and promoting the exigencies of advancing information technology application in Ghana.
The company equally said that it believes that Aryee’s will bring her immense experiences aboard the company’s business to further propel Omatek in line with it’s corporate vision to be the leading ITC company in Africa by 2010.
The new appointment of Joyce Aryee, who is also the chairperson of the Ghana mines, has been described as another feather to her cap by industry watchers.
Her appointment coincided with the formal visit of the Minister of Communication, Haruna Iddrisu who was on a tour of the company’s factory facilities in Accra.
Enthused, Aryee thanked the Minister for the visit and used the opportunity to make several ICT industry related requests. Amongst these was her call on the government to implement zero per cent duty on Complete Knock Down (CKD) computer components. She reiterated that the zero duty will encourage locally produced computers. Furthermore, she urged that government should “reduce VAT from 15% on CKD parts for Omatek computers and to afford Omatek necessary incentives because of its pioneer status.”
The Minister in his response thanked Omatek Computers for its contribution to the economy of Ghana through creation of employment opportunity for the youth and income generation for the country through taxes.
Iddrisu described Aryee as a woman who does not accept no for answers and therefore a brilliant choice as the Chairperson of the board of Omatek.
He promised to partner with the Ministry of Education to launch a comprehensive e-school project to make computers available to all schools.
According to him, “My priority is to collaborate with the Ministry of Education to launch a comprehensive e-School Project which will make computers available to all schools “He said.
He observed that the present leadership under President Atta Mills believes in continuity of good projects. He therefore promised to continue the Omatek computer project in Ghana which was commenced by his predecessor, Dr Benjamin Aggry-Ntim in 2007.
Omatek Computers is the first computer company to locally produce computer systems from a completely Knocked Down parts in Africa.
MOFA Develops 6-year Plan for Irrigation Sector
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) under the Second Phase of the Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy (FASDEP II) and the Medium Term Sector Plan for 2009-2015, has put irrigation development in its rightful place to play a key role in achieving reduction of rural poverty and overall equitable economic development.
It is expected, under the FASDEP II and the Medium Term Sector Development Plan (MTSDP) that the productivity of irrigation schemes will increase by an average figure of 25% by the end of 2015.
The sector Minister, Kwesi Ahwoi said this Accra when interacting with the management of Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA).
He indicated that this target will be achieved through judicious use of irrigation lands in both the formal and informal sub-sectors.
According to him there are areas in the country that need to be brought under irrigation due to suitable physical environment such as inland valleys, swamps and water sheds. He noted that the country is endowed with abundant surface water resources.
Under the Ministry’s MTSDP, which is geared towards the achievement of the set target of having about 50,000 hectares of land under irrigation by the year 2015, Ahwoi said that Government will ensure the completion of all on-going projects on schedule for use by the beneficiaries.
These he said include the Small Scale Irrigation Development Project (SSIDP) and the Small Farms Irrigation Project (SFIP). “These two projects will make an additional area of over 1,800 hectares available for irrigation,” said Ahwoi.
Also include the completion of second phase of the rehabilitation of the Tono Irrigation Project; the completion of studies and rehabilitation of 850 hectares of the Vea Irrigation Project; and completion of the rehabilitation and modernization of nine existing irrigation schemes to ensure that the farmers use the facilities for the coming season.
The Minister noted that the completion of the on-going rehabilitation of 70 breached dams in the three northern regions will put an area of over 360 hectares under irrigation. “It is expected that the rehabilitation of these dams will be completed in good time to enable them conserve water during this year’s rains in these regions. In the rehabilitation process all the water conservation dams will be converted to irrigation dams and this will bring more lands under irrigation,” he added.
By Fred SARPONG
It is expected, under the FASDEP II and the Medium Term Sector Development Plan (MTSDP) that the productivity of irrigation schemes will increase by an average figure of 25% by the end of 2015.
The sector Minister, Kwesi Ahwoi said this Accra when interacting with the management of Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA).
He indicated that this target will be achieved through judicious use of irrigation lands in both the formal and informal sub-sectors.
According to him there are areas in the country that need to be brought under irrigation due to suitable physical environment such as inland valleys, swamps and water sheds. He noted that the country is endowed with abundant surface water resources.
Under the Ministry’s MTSDP, which is geared towards the achievement of the set target of having about 50,000 hectares of land under irrigation by the year 2015, Ahwoi said that Government will ensure the completion of all on-going projects on schedule for use by the beneficiaries.
These he said include the Small Scale Irrigation Development Project (SSIDP) and the Small Farms Irrigation Project (SFIP). “These two projects will make an additional area of over 1,800 hectares available for irrigation,” said Ahwoi.
Also include the completion of second phase of the rehabilitation of the Tono Irrigation Project; the completion of studies and rehabilitation of 850 hectares of the Vea Irrigation Project; and completion of the rehabilitation and modernization of nine existing irrigation schemes to ensure that the farmers use the facilities for the coming season.
The Minister noted that the completion of the on-going rehabilitation of 70 breached dams in the three northern regions will put an area of over 360 hectares under irrigation. “It is expected that the rehabilitation of these dams will be completed in good time to enable them conserve water during this year’s rains in these regions. In the rehabilitation process all the water conservation dams will be converted to irrigation dams and this will bring more lands under irrigation,” he added.
By Fred SARPONG
1ST National Food and Agriculture Show 2009 to be Held
The 1st ever Food and Agric Show (FAGRO) 2009 in Ghana will come on at the Efua Sunderland Children’s park from Sunday, November 29 to Thursday, December 3, 2009 under the auspices of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
The Show, which is under the themed “Promoting and Adding value in Agricultural Production for Poverty Eradication” will serve as an interactive platform where farmers, producers, buyers and manufacturers come into direct contact with Agricultural service providers and stakeholders.
The show primarily aims to help boost agriculture by showcasing Ghanaian food and Agricultural products, equipment and machinery, expose the use of innovative and improved technologies, practices, methodologies, processes and approaches that will lead to improved agricultural productivity and enhance competitiveness on the market.
The show expected to enhance communication, promote growth and find solutions to the myriad of problems faced in the Agricultural sector; to give the rural, lifestyle and urban communities the opportunity to compete or show their stock or produce against other competitors in the same field; and to provide a common link between town and country and to enhance this relationship wherever possible.
It is to encourage variety and the best cultivation methods in Agriculture; to encourage and promote the quality production of Agricultural Products; to encourage and enhance the breeding standards of all livestock; and to recognize the efforts of Agriculture in National Development.
The show promises to be an interesting one with the “Taste of Ghana” competition, where Regional traditional Food competition will be held among all the ten regions.
There will also be seminars and lectures in diverse Agricultural disciplines (snail rearing, rabbit keeping, and animal husbandry among others) for aspiring entrepreneurs.
The five (5) day show stems from the urgent need to support a diversity of Agricultural technologies, which is a must for the 21st Century Food and Agricultural sector.
By Fred SARPONG
The Show, which is under the themed “Promoting and Adding value in Agricultural Production for Poverty Eradication” will serve as an interactive platform where farmers, producers, buyers and manufacturers come into direct contact with Agricultural service providers and stakeholders.
The show primarily aims to help boost agriculture by showcasing Ghanaian food and Agricultural products, equipment and machinery, expose the use of innovative and improved technologies, practices, methodologies, processes and approaches that will lead to improved agricultural productivity and enhance competitiveness on the market.
The show expected to enhance communication, promote growth and find solutions to the myriad of problems faced in the Agricultural sector; to give the rural, lifestyle and urban communities the opportunity to compete or show their stock or produce against other competitors in the same field; and to provide a common link between town and country and to enhance this relationship wherever possible.
It is to encourage variety and the best cultivation methods in Agriculture; to encourage and promote the quality production of Agricultural Products; to encourage and enhance the breeding standards of all livestock; and to recognize the efforts of Agriculture in National Development.
The show promises to be an interesting one with the “Taste of Ghana” competition, where Regional traditional Food competition will be held among all the ten regions.
There will also be seminars and lectures in diverse Agricultural disciplines (snail rearing, rabbit keeping, and animal husbandry among others) for aspiring entrepreneurs.
The five (5) day show stems from the urgent need to support a diversity of Agricultural technologies, which is a must for the 21st Century Food and Agricultural sector.
By Fred SARPONG
Inflation down again to 19.65%
Figures released by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) indicates that year on year inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has declined significantly to 19.65% for the 12-month period end August 2009 from 20.50% recorded for July 2009.
The CPI has been primarily driven by the non-food sub-sector, which accounts for the 55.09 % of the weighted basket used by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) in computing the Consumer Price Index (CPI). In August 2009 the inflation for the non-food group was 23.91% as against 14.75% for the food group. The corresponding figures for July 2009 were 24.48% and 15.17% for non-food and food respectively.
The non-food inflation was generated mainly by the recreation and culture (87.70%), health (48.05%), and furnishing, household equipment among others has (36.30%); the subgroup with the lowest annual change rate were oil and fats (3.02) and the housing, water and electricity subgroup with (3.23%).
The highest inflation for the food group includes foods not elsewhere classified such as fish; milk, cheese and eggs; fruit; vegetables, potatoes and other tuber vegetables; and mineral waters, soft drinks and juices.
The rate of inflation which has been higher in the urban areas than in the rural areas for seven consecutive months from February to August 2009 was 22.37% and 18.86% respectively. However, urban/rural inflation gap is gradually decreasing.
Inflation rates recorded in the regions range from 33.29% for Upper East and Upper West Regions being the highest to 14.48% for Eastern Region, the lowest. Apart from Upper East and Upper West regions with the highest rate of inflation, two other regions recorded inflation rates above the national rate of 19.65%.
They are Central Region 28.85% and Ashanti Region 23.53%. The rest Western Region 19.28%, Volta Region 18.22%, Northern Region 17.15%, Brong Ahafo Region 17.14% and Greater Accra Region 16.77%.
Analysts have indicated that seasonal trend shows September and October with lowest monthly change rate while in long term inflation has a seasonal trend of lowest figure in the same period. If the trend continue as it were then it is likely the nation will again experience a decline in September 2009 inflation figure.
By Fred SARPONG
The CPI has been primarily driven by the non-food sub-sector, which accounts for the 55.09 % of the weighted basket used by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) in computing the Consumer Price Index (CPI). In August 2009 the inflation for the non-food group was 23.91% as against 14.75% for the food group. The corresponding figures for July 2009 were 24.48% and 15.17% for non-food and food respectively.
The non-food inflation was generated mainly by the recreation and culture (87.70%), health (48.05%), and furnishing, household equipment among others has (36.30%); the subgroup with the lowest annual change rate were oil and fats (3.02) and the housing, water and electricity subgroup with (3.23%).
The highest inflation for the food group includes foods not elsewhere classified such as fish; milk, cheese and eggs; fruit; vegetables, potatoes and other tuber vegetables; and mineral waters, soft drinks and juices.
The rate of inflation which has been higher in the urban areas than in the rural areas for seven consecutive months from February to August 2009 was 22.37% and 18.86% respectively. However, urban/rural inflation gap is gradually decreasing.
Inflation rates recorded in the regions range from 33.29% for Upper East and Upper West Regions being the highest to 14.48% for Eastern Region, the lowest. Apart from Upper East and Upper West regions with the highest rate of inflation, two other regions recorded inflation rates above the national rate of 19.65%.
They are Central Region 28.85% and Ashanti Region 23.53%. The rest Western Region 19.28%, Volta Region 18.22%, Northern Region 17.15%, Brong Ahafo Region 17.14% and Greater Accra Region 16.77%.
Analysts have indicated that seasonal trend shows September and October with lowest monthly change rate while in long term inflation has a seasonal trend of lowest figure in the same period. If the trend continue as it were then it is likely the nation will again experience a decline in September 2009 inflation figure.
By Fred SARPONG
SG-SSB and Ecobank announce rights issues
Two of the country’s biggest universal banks listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange have unveiled their plans to raise new equity capital ahead of the Bank of Ghana’s deadline for majority foreign owned banks to meet the new minimum capital requirement of GH¢60 million by 2010.
SG-SSB Limited (SG-SSB) has announced a Renounceable Rights Offer of 57.5million ordinary shares of no par value at GH¢ 0.40 (40Gp) per share to qualifying shareholders. This represents a 33% discount on the current market price of GH¢ 0.60 as at September 8, 2009. The terms of the offer is in a ratio of one new share for every five shares held.
The Register of Members will be closed to the general public between 28th and 30th September 2009.
The Ex-Rights date has been set as 23rd September and the Qualifying Date has been set as 25th September. Consequently, only shareholders on the Register of Members of SG-SSB at the close of business on 25th September will be entitled to exercise Rights under the Offer. Investors purchasing SG-SSB shares on or after 23rd September (Ex-Rights date) shall not qualify to exercise Rights under this Offer.
Meanwhile, Ecobank Ghana Limited has also announced a Renounceable Rights Offer of 28.6 million ordinary shares at GH¢ 2.78 per share to qualifying shareholders. This represents a 10% discount on the market price as at 3rd September 2009. The terms of the offer is in the ratio of one new share for every seven existing shares held as at 16th September.
It is expected that Register of Members of EBG will be closed to the general public between 17th and 18th September 2009. The ex-rights and qualifying dates have been set as 14th and 16th September respectively.
By Fred SARPONG
SG-SSB Limited (SG-SSB) has announced a Renounceable Rights Offer of 57.5million ordinary shares of no par value at GH¢ 0.40 (40Gp) per share to qualifying shareholders. This represents a 33% discount on the current market price of GH¢ 0.60 as at September 8, 2009. The terms of the offer is in a ratio of one new share for every five shares held.
The Register of Members will be closed to the general public between 28th and 30th September 2009.
The Ex-Rights date has been set as 23rd September and the Qualifying Date has been set as 25th September. Consequently, only shareholders on the Register of Members of SG-SSB at the close of business on 25th September will be entitled to exercise Rights under the Offer. Investors purchasing SG-SSB shares on or after 23rd September (Ex-Rights date) shall not qualify to exercise Rights under this Offer.
Meanwhile, Ecobank Ghana Limited has also announced a Renounceable Rights Offer of 28.6 million ordinary shares at GH¢ 2.78 per share to qualifying shareholders. This represents a 10% discount on the market price as at 3rd September 2009. The terms of the offer is in the ratio of one new share for every seven existing shares held as at 16th September.
It is expected that Register of Members of EBG will be closed to the general public between 17th and 18th September 2009. The ex-rights and qualifying dates have been set as 14th and 16th September respectively.
By Fred SARPONG
Friday, August 28, 2009
SMEs in Ghana need Special Mobile Services
By Fred SARPONG
The contributions of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to modern economies cannot be taken for granted. It looks like it affects every aspect of the society, economy, political and cultural environment of this country, Ghana.
Taken into consideration of what goes on in many nations, it look as if well developed and necessary policies and regulations have been put in place to adequately exploit the potential of ICT for socio-economic development. Of course, Ghana is no exemption and more need to be done.
Streamlining costs and improving success in Ghana’s economy are key objectives for small businesses to grow despite the difficulties the country experience.
One of the communication technologies, whose application has become pervasive, is the mobile telephone, its deployment, access and use has gained much prominence in Ghana and the world at large.
There is clear evidence that with the emerging of more mobile operators in the country, more businesses will be created and it will offer more jobs for Ghanaians.
However, it is important to note those small business operators or small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the country are also given millions of cedis to the mobile phone operators.
In an interview with the Minister of Communications, Haruna Iddrisu indicted that this government has realize the SMEs sector hold key to the economy of this country because they constitute over 80% workforce of the economy.
In order for the government to recognize the effort of the SMEs sector, the government will soon take an initiative which will help improve activities of SMEs in Ghana. He noted that one of these initiatives is to allow the mobile operator’s to offers some packages for small businesses operators.
Hannah Tetteh, the Minister of Trade and Industry also has said that the SMEs industry players have been neglected for too long and for that matter corporate bodies must help to assist them since they are the main successes of Ghana’s economy.
A lot of products and services are been introduce every now and then by MTN, Vodafone, Kasapa, Tigo and Zain, but which of these products does improve the activities of SMEs in the country.
Mobile phones have become an integral part of daily life used by over 10 millions Ghanaians especially those in the SMEs. Those persons or the traders now take for granted the ability to communicate by phone at any time, from any place, and to any part of the country in order to improve their business activities and also give revenue to the operators.
It is now time for MTN, Vodafone, Kasapa, Tigo and Zain to develop special products merely for those in the SMEs sector to enhance the operation of these businesses and also generate revenue for themselves (operators).
There is the need for the mobile phone companies to develop innovative services that will meet the changing needs of users; for example, developing mobile telephone into a multi-tasking platform that combine several services into one.
The mobile operators can also import into the country mobile phones with special design for SMEs operators. This can be done by allowing the manufactures to introduce special software purposely for SMEs.
The contributions of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to modern economies cannot be taken for granted. It looks like it affects every aspect of the society, economy, political and cultural environment of this country, Ghana.
Taken into consideration of what goes on in many nations, it look as if well developed and necessary policies and regulations have been put in place to adequately exploit the potential of ICT for socio-economic development. Of course, Ghana is no exemption and more need to be done.
Streamlining costs and improving success in Ghana’s economy are key objectives for small businesses to grow despite the difficulties the country experience.
One of the communication technologies, whose application has become pervasive, is the mobile telephone, its deployment, access and use has gained much prominence in Ghana and the world at large.
There is clear evidence that with the emerging of more mobile operators in the country, more businesses will be created and it will offer more jobs for Ghanaians.
However, it is important to note those small business operators or small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the country are also given millions of cedis to the mobile phone operators.
In an interview with the Minister of Communications, Haruna Iddrisu indicted that this government has realize the SMEs sector hold key to the economy of this country because they constitute over 80% workforce of the economy.
In order for the government to recognize the effort of the SMEs sector, the government will soon take an initiative which will help improve activities of SMEs in Ghana. He noted that one of these initiatives is to allow the mobile operator’s to offers some packages for small businesses operators.
Hannah Tetteh, the Minister of Trade and Industry also has said that the SMEs industry players have been neglected for too long and for that matter corporate bodies must help to assist them since they are the main successes of Ghana’s economy.
A lot of products and services are been introduce every now and then by MTN, Vodafone, Kasapa, Tigo and Zain, but which of these products does improve the activities of SMEs in the country.
Mobile phones have become an integral part of daily life used by over 10 millions Ghanaians especially those in the SMEs. Those persons or the traders now take for granted the ability to communicate by phone at any time, from any place, and to any part of the country in order to improve their business activities and also give revenue to the operators.
It is now time for MTN, Vodafone, Kasapa, Tigo and Zain to develop special products merely for those in the SMEs sector to enhance the operation of these businesses and also generate revenue for themselves (operators).
There is the need for the mobile phone companies to develop innovative services that will meet the changing needs of users; for example, developing mobile telephone into a multi-tasking platform that combine several services into one.
The mobile operators can also import into the country mobile phones with special design for SMEs operators. This can be done by allowing the manufactures to introduce special software purposely for SMEs.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
GCNet introduces e-MDA Software for Agents
By Fred SARPONG
The Ghana Community Network (GCNet) is introducing an electronic Ministries Departments and Agency (e-MDA) software application that will allow shipping agents prepare their documentations, such as final clearance, report and freight rate easily, faster and sent them through online.
The new software application will have back form for the agents with functionality such as online payment, as compared to the old software application which do not have such features. It is also a centralized word based application. The new application takes effects from 20th September 2009.
This new software replaces Ministries Department and Agency (MDA) which was developed barely five years ago and only work as a single application.
In order for the agents to understand the concepts of the new software application prepare a good report and also network with a relevant internet operator, GCNet has organized a seminar for the agents in Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
Meanwhile, similar programmes have been organized and others are yet to be held for agents in Tema, Elubo, Aflao, Paga and other areas as well.
Chris Holden, the Operations Manager of GCNet proposed that all agents should start using a broadband internet rather than still using dial-up. He noted that using the dial-up does not reflect the current activities been done by both the agents and GCNet.
GCNet’s mission is to provide ICT-Based solutions that foster trade development and facilitation, and ensure effective mobilization of trade-related revenue.
GCNet have a strong desire to review the bottlenecks in the clearance process and together with stakeholders address the challenging issues in order to realize their aim of customs modernizations.
The Ghana Community Network (GCNet) is introducing an electronic Ministries Departments and Agency (e-MDA) software application that will allow shipping agents prepare their documentations, such as final clearance, report and freight rate easily, faster and sent them through online.
The new software application will have back form for the agents with functionality such as online payment, as compared to the old software application which do not have such features. It is also a centralized word based application. The new application takes effects from 20th September 2009.
This new software replaces Ministries Department and Agency (MDA) which was developed barely five years ago and only work as a single application.
In order for the agents to understand the concepts of the new software application prepare a good report and also network with a relevant internet operator, GCNet has organized a seminar for the agents in Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
Meanwhile, similar programmes have been organized and others are yet to be held for agents in Tema, Elubo, Aflao, Paga and other areas as well.
Chris Holden, the Operations Manager of GCNet proposed that all agents should start using a broadband internet rather than still using dial-up. He noted that using the dial-up does not reflect the current activities been done by both the agents and GCNet.
GCNet’s mission is to provide ICT-Based solutions that foster trade development and facilitation, and ensure effective mobilization of trade-related revenue.
GCNet have a strong desire to review the bottlenecks in the clearance process and together with stakeholders address the challenging issues in order to realize their aim of customs modernizations.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Where should Ghana’s oil Revenue Go?
By Fred SARPONG
In discussing the future prospects for Ghana’s oil, it is important that we recognize that Oil Money has to be the underlying reason why some foreign firms are in Ghana today. Many of these companies are here not because of the oil but the money that comes from the oil. If our leaders did not take care money will be pouring into our dear nation from all over the world to buy the Ghana’s little oil.
A lot has been said about Ghana's oil and the revenue that is supposed to come from the blessed but not the curse product by 2010 as the nation will be ready to witness major production.
Politicians and their allies in the country started jubilated and the announcement came that oil has been discovered and still some are singing praises simple because boom money will come from the sector.
But one may ask, are the people which lands the oil has been happy? Some of them are serious worry after getting to know the history oil in some rich nations in Africa. Example is Nigeria. They are also not happy because for some years now commodities like gold, diamond, cocoa and timber not brought any benefit to them especially those around the production areas rather they are still experiencing poverty with no access to water, healthcare, education, electricity among other things as well.
The question many Ghanaians are asking is that will the people benefit from the oil if they could not benefit from gold and other minerals? Is there any guarantee that the people will benefit from the oil proceeds when it begins to flow in 2010?
For several years foreign companies have taken billions of dollars from Ghana out of the sales of our rich gold, diamond, cocoa, timber, bauxite, you name them and living nothing to the benefit of the people of this country.
The only people who seem to have benefited from the revenue from these valuable assets are the corrupt politicians, their allies and the multinational companies and they are the very people who are likely to benefit from the oil come 2010.
Some are of the opinion that the only profit the people will have as is the case of gold and diamond, will be paying for the cost of environmental degradation, pollution of soil, rivers, wells, stream that will render many farmers and fishermen jobless.
Already, the previous government and the current government tried and trying to get Ghanaians involve in several seminars and forum to discuss where the revenue of the nation 2010 oil production should be channel into. But many believe that such effort has been taken over by the government and rather turn the beneficiaries to just lookers.
The question many Ghanaians are asking is that how different will the management of Ghana’s finding oil be from the countries like Nigeria, Libya, Guinea, Gabon and others who are not able to used the oil revenue to improved the lives of their citizenly.
In Nigeria for example 80 million people or even more still live on less than a dollar a day despite nation receiving over $400 billion from the sale of oil. All that Nigerian leaders can show for the billions they have received are the deep poverty, violence crimes, kidnappings, instability in oil producing areas, massive official corruption seen at all levels of government both federal and state as well as environmental degradation and pollution of rivers, wells, creeks and the soil which has rendered millions of farmers and fishermen jobless.
We should be very carefully that the flow of oil revenue will not lead to the collapse of other very important sectors of the economy like agriculture and tourism due to over dependence on oil revenue.
The Government of Ghana should be very carefully that the revenue from the 2010 oil production be use to build hospitals, long-lasting roads, irrigation projects, schools, sanitation, entertainment centers, playing grounds, housing facilities for poor people and take a keen interest investing in information and communication technology especially for the youth of this country.
The government should put in place proper laws that will make the exploitation of the oil sustainable, environmentally and eco-friendly. Therefore environmental impact assessment should be conducted for every project linked to the oil operation.
The laws must also seek to ensure that oil money will not end up in the pockets of the elite to the detriment of the people and the economy. Therefore, the utilization of the proceeds must be transparent and democratic. The best way to do this is to actively involve all stakeholders including the people, the government, opposition parties, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), Church and all interest groups. Record must be kept by every institution that receives oil money and the release of those records to anyone with a genuine interest must be made mandatory.
All oil companies directly or indirectly involved in the drilling, marketing, distribution or export of oil must be made by law to publish what they pay. They must also indicate whether they have paid bribe to officials within or outside the country. Every ministry or department which receives oil money for project must publish in detail how it utilized it. The law must propose for stiffer penalties for officials and companies who will misconduct themselves.
In discussing the future prospects for Ghana’s oil, it is important that we recognize that Oil Money has to be the underlying reason why some foreign firms are in Ghana today. Many of these companies are here not because of the oil but the money that comes from the oil. If our leaders did not take care money will be pouring into our dear nation from all over the world to buy the Ghana’s little oil.
A lot has been said about Ghana's oil and the revenue that is supposed to come from the blessed but not the curse product by 2010 as the nation will be ready to witness major production.
Politicians and their allies in the country started jubilated and the announcement came that oil has been discovered and still some are singing praises simple because boom money will come from the sector.
But one may ask, are the people which lands the oil has been happy? Some of them are serious worry after getting to know the history oil in some rich nations in Africa. Example is Nigeria. They are also not happy because for some years now commodities like gold, diamond, cocoa and timber not brought any benefit to them especially those around the production areas rather they are still experiencing poverty with no access to water, healthcare, education, electricity among other things as well.
The question many Ghanaians are asking is that will the people benefit from the oil if they could not benefit from gold and other minerals? Is there any guarantee that the people will benefit from the oil proceeds when it begins to flow in 2010?
For several years foreign companies have taken billions of dollars from Ghana out of the sales of our rich gold, diamond, cocoa, timber, bauxite, you name them and living nothing to the benefit of the people of this country.
The only people who seem to have benefited from the revenue from these valuable assets are the corrupt politicians, their allies and the multinational companies and they are the very people who are likely to benefit from the oil come 2010.
Some are of the opinion that the only profit the people will have as is the case of gold and diamond, will be paying for the cost of environmental degradation, pollution of soil, rivers, wells, stream that will render many farmers and fishermen jobless.
Already, the previous government and the current government tried and trying to get Ghanaians involve in several seminars and forum to discuss where the revenue of the nation 2010 oil production should be channel into. But many believe that such effort has been taken over by the government and rather turn the beneficiaries to just lookers.
The question many Ghanaians are asking is that how different will the management of Ghana’s finding oil be from the countries like Nigeria, Libya, Guinea, Gabon and others who are not able to used the oil revenue to improved the lives of their citizenly.
In Nigeria for example 80 million people or even more still live on less than a dollar a day despite nation receiving over $400 billion from the sale of oil. All that Nigerian leaders can show for the billions they have received are the deep poverty, violence crimes, kidnappings, instability in oil producing areas, massive official corruption seen at all levels of government both federal and state as well as environmental degradation and pollution of rivers, wells, creeks and the soil which has rendered millions of farmers and fishermen jobless.
We should be very carefully that the flow of oil revenue will not lead to the collapse of other very important sectors of the economy like agriculture and tourism due to over dependence on oil revenue.
The Government of Ghana should be very carefully that the revenue from the 2010 oil production be use to build hospitals, long-lasting roads, irrigation projects, schools, sanitation, entertainment centers, playing grounds, housing facilities for poor people and take a keen interest investing in information and communication technology especially for the youth of this country.
The government should put in place proper laws that will make the exploitation of the oil sustainable, environmentally and eco-friendly. Therefore environmental impact assessment should be conducted for every project linked to the oil operation.
The laws must also seek to ensure that oil money will not end up in the pockets of the elite to the detriment of the people and the economy. Therefore, the utilization of the proceeds must be transparent and democratic. The best way to do this is to actively involve all stakeholders including the people, the government, opposition parties, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), Church and all interest groups. Record must be kept by every institution that receives oil money and the release of those records to anyone with a genuine interest must be made mandatory.
All oil companies directly or indirectly involved in the drilling, marketing, distribution or export of oil must be made by law to publish what they pay. They must also indicate whether they have paid bribe to officials within or outside the country. Every ministry or department which receives oil money for project must publish in detail how it utilized it. The law must propose for stiffer penalties for officials and companies who will misconduct themselves.
Revenue Authority Bill to go Cabinet
By Fred SARPONG
Revenue Authority Bill, which is to specify the details and functions of the new Ghana Revenue Authority will be sent to Cabinet by next month before Parliament resume in October for approval after which it will be presented to Parliament for its passage into an act or law.
This site has learnt that the drafted document has gone through Attorney General’s department for consideration and preparation is underway to be sent to Cabinet.
The current government fined it prudent to create an authority that will solely be responsible for the revenue generation in the country.
It is to this effect that the draft document has been drafted. Two names are been considered which the final one is expected to be approved by Parliament.
The new authority is expected to be called Ghana or National Revenue Authority (GRA). This authority will be a merger of Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Value Added Tax (VAT), and Custom Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS).
The introduction of this new bill and it passage by Parliament is to repeal the other relevant laws such as IRS Act, CEPS Act, VAT Act and as well as the Revenue Agencies Governing Board (RAGB) Act.
The Executive Secretary of RAGB, Sam Sallas-Mensah said this is to allow the tax administration to be performed in an integrated manner.
According to him the introduction of the authority will bring on board three new commissioners who will be in charge of various sectors under the authority. For instance, there will be a commissioner who will combine the activities of IRS and VAT. This commissioner will take care of domestic tax system in the country and will be solely responsible for Large Taxpayers Unit, Small Taxpayers Unit and Medium Taxpayers Unit among others.
Also is a commissioner to handle the activities of CEPS. He will be in charge of International Tax system while there will be also a Support Service commissioner to take care of information technology (IT), public relations (PR), human resource (HR) and among others services under the authority.
Apart from these three commissioners there will be Commissioner General who will act between the commissioners and the board. Currently, the three commissioners are board members but with the new concept the three are not part of the board.
He indicated that CEPS, which have a military background, will be given a special role to play as part of their revenue collection under the authority.
Hon. Sallas-Mensah said government has secured US$50 million from World Bank for the integration exercise. He noted that the integration will take about 18 to 24 months to complete.
He indicated that purpose of this integration is to have one pay master general, one tax education system, one customer relations and so on to serve the three under the authority. He cited example of Ghana Army Forces, Air force and the Navy having one pay master general serving them.
He noted that revenue administration in Ghana is currently on tax type basis. This results in tax evasion, high cost of compliance and administration. The current laws do not allow the creation of an integration tax administration.
For effective tax administration, he stated that the revenue agencies should be integrated into authority to ensure optimal productivity. The integration will therefore require a restructuring of the landscape for tax administration.
Revenue Authority Bill, which is to specify the details and functions of the new Ghana Revenue Authority will be sent to Cabinet by next month before Parliament resume in October for approval after which it will be presented to Parliament for its passage into an act or law.
This site has learnt that the drafted document has gone through Attorney General’s department for consideration and preparation is underway to be sent to Cabinet.
The current government fined it prudent to create an authority that will solely be responsible for the revenue generation in the country.
It is to this effect that the draft document has been drafted. Two names are been considered which the final one is expected to be approved by Parliament.
The new authority is expected to be called Ghana or National Revenue Authority (GRA). This authority will be a merger of Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Value Added Tax (VAT), and Custom Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS).
The introduction of this new bill and it passage by Parliament is to repeal the other relevant laws such as IRS Act, CEPS Act, VAT Act and as well as the Revenue Agencies Governing Board (RAGB) Act.
The Executive Secretary of RAGB, Sam Sallas-Mensah said this is to allow the tax administration to be performed in an integrated manner.
According to him the introduction of the authority will bring on board three new commissioners who will be in charge of various sectors under the authority. For instance, there will be a commissioner who will combine the activities of IRS and VAT. This commissioner will take care of domestic tax system in the country and will be solely responsible for Large Taxpayers Unit, Small Taxpayers Unit and Medium Taxpayers Unit among others.
Also is a commissioner to handle the activities of CEPS. He will be in charge of International Tax system while there will be also a Support Service commissioner to take care of information technology (IT), public relations (PR), human resource (HR) and among others services under the authority.
Apart from these three commissioners there will be Commissioner General who will act between the commissioners and the board. Currently, the three commissioners are board members but with the new concept the three are not part of the board.
He indicated that CEPS, which have a military background, will be given a special role to play as part of their revenue collection under the authority.
Hon. Sallas-Mensah said government has secured US$50 million from World Bank for the integration exercise. He noted that the integration will take about 18 to 24 months to complete.
He indicated that purpose of this integration is to have one pay master general, one tax education system, one customer relations and so on to serve the three under the authority. He cited example of Ghana Army Forces, Air force and the Navy having one pay master general serving them.
He noted that revenue administration in Ghana is currently on tax type basis. This results in tax evasion, high cost of compliance and administration. The current laws do not allow the creation of an integration tax administration.
For effective tax administration, he stated that the revenue agencies should be integrated into authority to ensure optimal productivity. The integration will therefore require a restructuring of the landscape for tax administration.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
WAGP will promote Regional Integration
…And will Ghana get away from the use of firewood?
By Fred SARPONG
Gas from the West African Gas Pipeline Project (WAGP) should have started flowing some months ago but due to a problem at the Niger Delta distribution was halted. The distribution of the gas through WAGP line is to fuel power-stations and industries in four West African countries namely Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana.
Gas deliveries were expected by the end of 2009 after the commissioning of the Takoradi and Tema regulating and metering stations in Ghana, compressor station at Lagos Beach in Nigeria, and regulating and metering stations in Cotonou in Benin and Lome in Togo.
The Gas Pipeline Project aims at improving the competitiveness of the energy sectors in Ghana, Benin and Togo by promoting the use of cheaper and environmentally cleaner gas from Nigeria.
The flow of gas through the WAGP will strengthening trade relations among these countries where one will surely depend on other for investment opportunity.
Again, it is likely that these countries will exchange experts in area of engineering, technicians to help each on the exploration of the gas for their national use.
The WAGP is a 678 kilometres (421 mi) long pipeline from the gas reserves in Nigeria’s Esravos region of Niger Delta area to Benin, Togo and Ghana. It is the first regional natural gas transmission system in sub-Saharan Africa.
The pipeline is operated by WAGPCo, owned by the consortium of Chevron (36.7%), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (25%), Royal Dutch Shell (18%), Volta River Authority of Ghana (16.3%), Societe Togolaise de Gaz (SoToGaz - 2%) and Societe Beninoise de Gaz S.A. (SoBeGaz - 2%).
The gas will be used by the Volta River Authority's 330 MW combined cycle thermal plant at Aboadze near Takoradi and also the Takoradi International Company's (TICO) thermal power plant, which is being upgraded to a 330 MW combined cycle plant.
WAGP is commercially viable and will service a population of 250 million among the nations involve. It is expected to provide energy self sufficiency for the whole region for nearly three decades with over 80.000 jobs expected to be created within the region.
The production of this gas to the four nations is to give for the fact generation of progressive and sustained industrialization is assure in these countries while thousands of hectares of forests in the region will be preserved.
It also intended to provide cheaper, reliable energy supply from the WAGP to promote investment for strategic variety of industries in the region.
WAGP project would significantly ease the energy situation in the nations involved especially Ghana and breathe a new lease of life into the energy difficulty facing the countries while providing a sustainable energy pattern for industries.
Apart from this gas from WAGP, Ghana will be expecting additional gas inflow from nation’s Jubilee Field were oil has been discover possible from 2010.
Using LPG gas will surely substitute the use of firewood and charcoal and for that matter our forest will be save from destruction. However, if the people are not well educated, they tend to rely more on the land which they till all year round to support their family and provide income.
The campaign for the use of LPG gas, which is common in the urban areas, should be intensifying and be extended to the rural areas so that the rural folks will not rely more on the forest and vegetation as a means of producing firewood for cooking purposes.
Before Ghana will start getting huge quantity of gas from these two areas, the government can, for instance, provide subsidy on gas cylinders and LPG gas for the rural areas, so that they reduce the use of firewood.
The district assemblies must also rigidly enforce their bye laws on bush burning. Information gathered indicate that in certain parts of Brong Ahafo and Northern regions, people take delight in setting fire to the bush during the dry season to enable them trap animals, especially grass cutters.
This practice has been going on for years, but nobody seems to bother about it, even though it is causing more harm than good to the environment. The destiny of this country is in our own hands; therefore, if we sit idle to be overtaken by events, we cannot turn round and blame God for our woes.
By Fred SARPONG
Gas from the West African Gas Pipeline Project (WAGP) should have started flowing some months ago but due to a problem at the Niger Delta distribution was halted. The distribution of the gas through WAGP line is to fuel power-stations and industries in four West African countries namely Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana.
Gas deliveries were expected by the end of 2009 after the commissioning of the Takoradi and Tema regulating and metering stations in Ghana, compressor station at Lagos Beach in Nigeria, and regulating and metering stations in Cotonou in Benin and Lome in Togo.
The Gas Pipeline Project aims at improving the competitiveness of the energy sectors in Ghana, Benin and Togo by promoting the use of cheaper and environmentally cleaner gas from Nigeria.
The flow of gas through the WAGP will strengthening trade relations among these countries where one will surely depend on other for investment opportunity.
Again, it is likely that these countries will exchange experts in area of engineering, technicians to help each on the exploration of the gas for their national use.
The WAGP is a 678 kilometres (421 mi) long pipeline from the gas reserves in Nigeria’s Esravos region of Niger Delta area to Benin, Togo and Ghana. It is the first regional natural gas transmission system in sub-Saharan Africa.
The pipeline is operated by WAGPCo, owned by the consortium of Chevron (36.7%), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (25%), Royal Dutch Shell (18%), Volta River Authority of Ghana (16.3%), Societe Togolaise de Gaz (SoToGaz - 2%) and Societe Beninoise de Gaz S.A. (SoBeGaz - 2%).
The gas will be used by the Volta River Authority's 330 MW combined cycle thermal plant at Aboadze near Takoradi and also the Takoradi International Company's (TICO) thermal power plant, which is being upgraded to a 330 MW combined cycle plant.
WAGP is commercially viable and will service a population of 250 million among the nations involve. It is expected to provide energy self sufficiency for the whole region for nearly three decades with over 80.000 jobs expected to be created within the region.
The production of this gas to the four nations is to give for the fact generation of progressive and sustained industrialization is assure in these countries while thousands of hectares of forests in the region will be preserved.
It also intended to provide cheaper, reliable energy supply from the WAGP to promote investment for strategic variety of industries in the region.
WAGP project would significantly ease the energy situation in the nations involved especially Ghana and breathe a new lease of life into the energy difficulty facing the countries while providing a sustainable energy pattern for industries.
Apart from this gas from WAGP, Ghana will be expecting additional gas inflow from nation’s Jubilee Field were oil has been discover possible from 2010.
Using LPG gas will surely substitute the use of firewood and charcoal and for that matter our forest will be save from destruction. However, if the people are not well educated, they tend to rely more on the land which they till all year round to support their family and provide income.
The campaign for the use of LPG gas, which is common in the urban areas, should be intensifying and be extended to the rural areas so that the rural folks will not rely more on the forest and vegetation as a means of producing firewood for cooking purposes.
Before Ghana will start getting huge quantity of gas from these two areas, the government can, for instance, provide subsidy on gas cylinders and LPG gas for the rural areas, so that they reduce the use of firewood.
The district assemblies must also rigidly enforce their bye laws on bush burning. Information gathered indicate that in certain parts of Brong Ahafo and Northern regions, people take delight in setting fire to the bush during the dry season to enable them trap animals, especially grass cutters.
This practice has been going on for years, but nobody seems to bother about it, even though it is causing more harm than good to the environment. The destiny of this country is in our own hands; therefore, if we sit idle to be overtaken by events, we cannot turn round and blame God for our woes.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
GIPC to Conduct 2009 Investor Survey
By Fred SARPONG
The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) and other investment centres in Africa is conducting investor survey aimed at providing African Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) with up-to-date and accurate investor survey information.
The objective of the survey is to increase investment flow for both foreign and domestic investors into the more productive sectors; maximize the impact on employment; improve technological competitiveness; and ensure supply chain integration.
The project designed to aid African IPAs to promote and improve upon targeted investment promotion; analyse the characteristics of different categories on investors; discern emerging trends in investment flows; and strategise and provide incentives to reinforce the positive impacts and desired trends for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
The survey is taking place in over 20 countries in Africa and it is been implemented by the Africa Investment Promotion Agency Network (AfriPANet), which is a UNIDO programme and it will take place from September till the end of October this year.
Leonardo Lamptey, UNIDO Country Team Leader for Investment Promotion Activities told BusinessWeek that about 800 local and foreign companies will be pick to get a good sample of a list of companies registered with GIPC, Association of Ghana Industry (AGI), Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) and other business associations for the information.
According to him the idea is to determine trend, establish the impact and get the feedback of the company’s assessment after registering with such relevant bodies.
BusinessWeek learnt that three bi-annual surveys of investors were conducted in 2001, 2003 and 2005 to compile firm-level data and the core element of the current programme consists of two investor surveys to be conducted in 20 sub-African countries in 2009-2011.
AfriPANet was initiated in 2001 and currently comprises a forum of 40 investment promotion agencies (IPAs) in Africa, representatives of UNIDO ITPOs, academics, and Chief Executives Officers of companies in the Africa region.
An integral part of the AfriPANet programme is the execution of bi-annual surveys of foreign and domestic investors the results of which bring to the fore issues of relevance for investment promotion agencies.
The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) and other investment centres in Africa is conducting investor survey aimed at providing African Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) with up-to-date and accurate investor survey information.
The objective of the survey is to increase investment flow for both foreign and domestic investors into the more productive sectors; maximize the impact on employment; improve technological competitiveness; and ensure supply chain integration.
The project designed to aid African IPAs to promote and improve upon targeted investment promotion; analyse the characteristics of different categories on investors; discern emerging trends in investment flows; and strategise and provide incentives to reinforce the positive impacts and desired trends for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
The survey is taking place in over 20 countries in Africa and it is been implemented by the Africa Investment Promotion Agency Network (AfriPANet), which is a UNIDO programme and it will take place from September till the end of October this year.
Leonardo Lamptey, UNIDO Country Team Leader for Investment Promotion Activities told BusinessWeek that about 800 local and foreign companies will be pick to get a good sample of a list of companies registered with GIPC, Association of Ghana Industry (AGI), Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) and other business associations for the information.
According to him the idea is to determine trend, establish the impact and get the feedback of the company’s assessment after registering with such relevant bodies.
BusinessWeek learnt that three bi-annual surveys of investors were conducted in 2001, 2003 and 2005 to compile firm-level data and the core element of the current programme consists of two investor surveys to be conducted in 20 sub-African countries in 2009-2011.
AfriPANet was initiated in 2001 and currently comprises a forum of 40 investment promotion agencies (IPAs) in Africa, representatives of UNIDO ITPOs, academics, and Chief Executives Officers of companies in the Africa region.
An integral part of the AfriPANet programme is the execution of bi-annual surveys of foreign and domestic investors the results of which bring to the fore issues of relevance for investment promotion agencies.
Stakeholders discuss benefits in Agribusiness sector
By Fred SARPONG
Stakeholders in the agribusiness sector in Ghana met at a forum in Accra last week to brain storm on new opportunities for agro-enterprises in Ghana.
The forum was organized by the Trade and Investment Program for a Competitive Export Economy (TIPCEE).
The forum discussed and developed a business leadership and financial lending program with direct conversation and feedback from industry players.
The participants were taken through topic such as agribusiness executive education in Africa; global food retail trends and their implications for your business; new business opportunities and market for Ghanaian agro-enterprises; access to capital for agribusinesses in Ghana Standard Chartered Bank; and creating an enabling environment for agribusinesses in Ghana.
The event focused on the development of an integrated agro-lending program whereby the banks and firm partner in management of the agribusiness operations.
It was also to develop business leader skills with successful practices used by global corporations that improve profits. Examples are market strategic planning, fiscal management, B2B negations skills among others. This type of ‘coaching’ support service is used worldwide.
Also, marketing strategies for higher profits was discussed along with an overview on new market and product trends that Ghana agriculture firms should target.
Michael Brown, Chief of Party- TIPCEE called on the industry players to survey the potential market and take in charge of any opportunity they identify. He noted that there are market opportunities that exist in EU, America and Asia.
But he was of the view that Ghanaian industry players should take opportunities that exist in the Africa region, which has more potential for businesses.
Ralph Christy, from Market Matters- New York said there are the potential role of agribusiness in accelerated economic growth and the overall contribution of the agricultural sector to economic development.
“Unsatisfactory performance in global markets but growing opportunities in domestic and regional markets,” said Christy.
According to him political stability, regional integration, institutional capacity and business climate have significant influence on the performance of the agribusiness sector.
He indicated that are shaping agribusiness and agro-industries in Africa that are been affected by negative economic forces, political and legal forces, social forces, technological forces and the increasing urban populations.
Stakeholders in the agribusiness sector in Ghana met at a forum in Accra last week to brain storm on new opportunities for agro-enterprises in Ghana.
The forum was organized by the Trade and Investment Program for a Competitive Export Economy (TIPCEE).
The forum discussed and developed a business leadership and financial lending program with direct conversation and feedback from industry players.
The participants were taken through topic such as agribusiness executive education in Africa; global food retail trends and their implications for your business; new business opportunities and market for Ghanaian agro-enterprises; access to capital for agribusinesses in Ghana Standard Chartered Bank; and creating an enabling environment for agribusinesses in Ghana.
The event focused on the development of an integrated agro-lending program whereby the banks and firm partner in management of the agribusiness operations.
It was also to develop business leader skills with successful practices used by global corporations that improve profits. Examples are market strategic planning, fiscal management, B2B negations skills among others. This type of ‘coaching’ support service is used worldwide.
Also, marketing strategies for higher profits was discussed along with an overview on new market and product trends that Ghana agriculture firms should target.
Michael Brown, Chief of Party- TIPCEE called on the industry players to survey the potential market and take in charge of any opportunity they identify. He noted that there are market opportunities that exist in EU, America and Asia.
But he was of the view that Ghanaian industry players should take opportunities that exist in the Africa region, which has more potential for businesses.
Ralph Christy, from Market Matters- New York said there are the potential role of agribusiness in accelerated economic growth and the overall contribution of the agricultural sector to economic development.
“Unsatisfactory performance in global markets but growing opportunities in domestic and regional markets,” said Christy.
According to him political stability, regional integration, institutional capacity and business climate have significant influence on the performance of the agribusiness sector.
He indicated that are shaping agribusiness and agro-industries in Africa that are been affected by negative economic forces, political and legal forces, social forces, technological forces and the increasing urban populations.
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