President elect, John Dramani Mahama, has announced an interim six-member national security team to take over from the security team of the current administration.
The security team will assume their mandate on January 7th, 2025 after the swearing in ceremony.
The team is headed by former Interior Minister, Prosper Douglas Bani.
The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress has ridiculed the recent National Honor awards calling it as awarding of ‘murderers and looters’.
While addressing members of 31st December Movement and NDC sympathizers at 43rd celebration at Nungua today, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah expressed his dissatisfaction against the people who were awarded in spite of the atrocities they have meted to innocent Ghanaians and the country at large.
He was disgusted that, people like Bryan Acheampong, Mavis Hawa Koomson among others were awarded national honours, indicating that national awards should not be reduced to such deliberate glorification of evil doing.
Mr Asiedu explained that, there is no one in Ghana who does not know that Hawa Koomson shot and killed a Ghanaian and in other cases unleashed his vigilante boys to shot, kill and beat innocent citizens at Kasoa during election related activities.
Jokingly, Asiedu Nketiah teased that, “if national awards has become soo cheap this way, then President Akufo-Addo did not do well for Bonos and Asantes for not awarding NPP ‘holigans’ such as; Kwame Baffoe (Abronye) NPP Chairman of Bono region and Bernard Antwi Bosiako (Wontumi), Ashanti Regional chairman of NPP.”
However, the NDC chairman suggested that, a national bipartisan committee should be established to handle the process of selecting and awarding national heroes and heroines.
He charged the NDC members to safeguard the values of the 31st December Movement which are probity, equity and accountability while serving the nation with spirit of patriotism.
Other speakers like Fifi Kwetey, General Secretary of NDC and Dr Zenator Rawlings, MP for Korle Klottey and daughter of former President J.J. Rawlings took turns to emphasis the significance of 31st December Movement to Ghanaians.
The National Democratic Congress has alarmed that they have credible information that, the Driver Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) met with some businessmen who are known staunch NPP members today, December 30,2024, at the CEO’s office.
The meeting is hurriedly planned to sign a two year contract between the DVLA and the said businessmen just at the eve of the current administration leaving office.
However, the NDC has vowed to abrogated all such contracts after assuming office on January 7, 2025.
“The NPP businessmen with contract from DVLA who are meeting at DVLA HQ to sign and back date their contracts should know that we know them”, this was shared on social media by NDC activist.
“As we speak, the outgoing DVLA CEO has signed a dubious contract for them for 2 years but same will exposed and abrogated after January 7.”
Such act, as being alleged against the current CEO of DVLA, is not carried in utmost good faith on behalf of the people of Ghana, but to satisfy greedy interest of some people in government.
It has been alleged also that, ADB Bank has signed a last minute contract within the Christmas period, although the Board of ADB any act of wrongdoing.
The Interim Management Committee (IMC) appointed by the Accra High Court of Justice in July 27, 2023 to oversee Adamus Resources Ltd. is facing significant challenges in executing its mandate.
Despite the court’s order, the security personnel at the company’s operational site in Ellembelle have denied the IMC access to take over the management of the company.
This isn’t the first time the IMC has been prevented from carrying out its duties. On three separate occasions, they’ve been blocked from entering the company’s premises, including the Head Office in Accra and the operational site in Ellembelle.
The IMC was established due to ongoing disputes over the ownership of Adamus Resources Ltd. The court’s order aimed to ensure the company’s operations continue uninterrupted while the legal battles are resolved.
Member of the committee Isaac Ackon has reaffirmed the IMC’s commitment to executing its mandate, despite the obstacles they’re facing. “The committee is determined to fulfill its duties as directed by the court.”
A gunshot was fired by security personnel of Adamus Resources Limited, a mining company in the Ellembelle District, as they denied access to the Interim Management Committee (IMC) appointed by the Accra High Court.
The IMC was established to oversee the mine’s operations temporarily, amid ongoing disputes over ownership. Despite the court’s directive, the company’s management and security team have repeatedly blocked the IMC’s attempts to take control of the mine.
Thanks to the professional intervention of Inspector Danquah and his police team stationed at the mine, tensions were diffused, and the situation was brought under control. The Interim Management Committee (IMC) members and their private security personnel were able to leave the mine peacefully, without any damage or destruction of equipment.
This contradicts earlier reports on some news portals that thugs had attacked Adamus Resources. The swift and effective response of Inspector Danquah and his team helped to prevent escalation and ensured a peaceful resolution.
In a revealing conversation, some workers at the mine expressed their desire for the original owner, a foreign national, to regain control of the mine. They cited significant struggles since a new company took over, including delayed salary payments and inadequate provision of essential work equipment.
The workers lamented that the new company has failed to invest in new equipment, instead relying on outdated machinery that was already in place when she assumed control. This lack of investment has seemingly hindered the mine’s productivity and affected the workers’ overall welfare.
The Asian African Consortium (AAC), a key player in advancing agribusiness across Africa, has officially rebranded as the African Agribusiness Consortium (AAC) Limited.
This transformation represents a bold step in the organisation’s ongoing commitment to fostering growth, innovation, and sustainability in the African agribusiness sector.
By aligning its name with its core focus, the African Agribusiness Consortium underscores its dedication to creating impactful solutions for farmers, agribusiness stakeholders, and communities across the continent.
The rebranding also signals the Consortium’s intent to expand its influence and develop initiatives that directly address the challenges and opportunities within African agriculture.
With a renewed focus on building strategic partnerships and delivering sustainable practices, the African Agribusiness Consortium is poised.
About African Agribusiness Consortium Limited
The African Agribusiness Consortium is dedicated to empowering Africa’s agribusiness sector through innovative solutions, strategic partnerships, and sustainable practices. Its mission is to transform agriculture across the continent and drive economic progress.
The Consumer Education Team of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has intensified its public engagement campaign on the safe use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) with a town hall meeting at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) Essikado Campus in the Western Region.
The sensitization campaign, held as part of efforts to increase LPG adoption in households, focused on educating the public about the health, safety, and environmental benefits of LPG usage for cooking.
Speaking at the event, officials from the NPA emphasized the importance of using LPG as a clean and efficient alternative to traditional fuels like firewood and charcoal.
They highlighted its role in reducing indoor air pollution, which is a major cause of respiratory illnesses, especially among women and children.
The session included demonstrations on the proper handling and storage of LPG cylinders to prevent accidents, as well as interactive discussions addressing concerns and misconceptions about LPG usage.
Participants at the town hall expressed their appreciation for the initiative, describing it as timely and informative.
They noted that the campaign not only deepened their understanding of LPG safety but also encouraged them to adopt LPG as a healthier and more environmentally friendly cooking option.
The NPA’s LPG awareness campaign is part of a broader strategy to increase nationwide usage of LPG from the current 25% to 50% by 2030, in line with the government’s energy transition agenda.
The campaign will continue in other regions, targeting various communities to ensure the safe and efficient use of LPG across the country.
The United Nations Development Programme’s Insurance and Risk Finance Facility (UNDPsIRFF) has expressed concerns over Ghana’s neglect of inclusive non-life insurance solutions, despite strides made in health and life insurance.
According to the UNDPsIRFF, while the poor and vulnerable have some access to health and life insurance products, non-life-inclusive insurance solutions remain largely inaccessible.
These sentiments were shared during the Non-Life Actuarial Capacity Development (NACDev) programme for health insurance companies, organized by the UNDPsIRFF in partnership with the Actuarial Society of Ghana and the Private Health Insurers Association Ghana (PHIA-G) as part of the UNDP-Milliman-Global Actuarial Initiative (GAIN).
Speaking at the event in Accra, Dr. Amina Sammo, Coordinator of the Insurance and Risk Finance Facility (IRFF) at the UNDP, highlighted the urgent need for actuarial functions within Ghana’s non-life insurance sector.
She commended private insurers for supporting the GAIN programme, which seeks to establish actuarial units in their respective organisations to strengthen the industry.
Dr. Sammo explained that since 2022, when the UNDP started implementing the GAIN programme with service providers, significant progress has been made in building actuarial capacity.
She emphasized UNDPsIRFF’s pro-government stance in correcting industry inefficiencies and enhancing the gains of service providers.
On his part, Mr. Mark Larbi Henaku, CEO of the Actuarial Society of Ghana (ASG), outlined the society’s three-fold mandate: educating, training, and regulating.
He noted that the ASG, in collaboration with Milliman-GAIN, have trained National Service personnel with strong backgrounds in actuarial, statistics and mathematics to manage actuarial desks for service providers.
Mr. Henaku urged service providers to establish actuarial units to comply with actuarial regulations to help strengthen the industry’s foundation.
A representative from the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) praised the UNDPsIRFF and ASG for their efforts, drawing parallels with South Africa’s robust actuarial sector and expressing optimism about Ghana’s growing capacity in the actuarialspace.
The PHIA-G pledged its support and participationto the ASG, committing to better understanding the training manuals and programmes to enhance collaboration and compliance.
The National Insurance Commission (NIC) has inaugurated a 12-member steering committee to spearhead the implementation of inclusive insurance in Ghana.
The committee, chaired by Mrs. Stella Jonah, Head of Supervision at the NIC, includes representatives from key institutions. Abdul-Rashid Rahman, Secretary to the Committee, and Mohammed Hafiz Issahaku, Head of Innovation at NIC, will support her leadership.
Other members include Kyeame Ghansah, Head of Research at NIC; Mrs. Patience Arku-Boham, Head of the Pensions and Insurance Unit at the Ministry of Finance; and Nicholas Nyagblornu, Head of the Intersectoral Collaborations Unit at the Ministry of Health.
The team also features Mr. Emmanuel Kofi Asare Abrokwa, Manager of Standards and Compliance at the National Pensions Regulatory Authority; Dr. Yaw Opoku Boateng, Director of Quality Assurance at the National Health Insurance Authority; and Dr. Kingsley Kwabahson, CEO of the Ghana Insurers Association.
Additional members are Leona Lillian Abban, Manager of TURACO Inclusive; Mr. Kofi Akoto of the Insurance Brokers Association; and Ernestina Amankwa of the Insurance Awareness Coordinators Group.
The committee is further supported by Mrs. Mandalene Afriyie, Registrar of the Ghana Insurance College; Yaw Boamah Baafi of the National Communications Authority; and Ken Ashigbey, CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications.
Inaugurating the committee, the Acting Commissioner of NIC, Mr. Michael Kofi Andoh, emphasized the transformative potential of inclusive insurance in reducing poverty and improving livelihoods.
He urged the committee to prioritize financial inclusion, particularly in underserved communities.
“It is crucial to fight poverty and create the necessary ingredients for financial inclusion.
Inclusive insurance can provide access to essential payment services,” Mr. Andoh said.
He highlighted the untapped potential within Ghana’s informal sector, noting that only 5% of the population currently has access to micro-insurance.
He also stressed the need to expand agricultural insurance and implement parametric insurance solutions to address the country’s vulnerabilities.
Dr. Amina Sammo, Coordinator of the Insurance and Risk Finance Facility (IRFF) at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), described the inauguration as a pivotal moment in advancing inclusivity.
“This marks a significant step in empowering people in inner-city and low-income communities across the country,” Dr. Sammo stated.
She commended the partnership between the NIC and UNDP, which has achieved milestones since the promulgation of the Insurance Act, 2021 (Act 1061).
She encouraged committee members to maintain their momentum and ensure that inclusive insurance in Ghana aligns with international standards.
The steering committee was tasked with developing strategies to extend insurance coverage to underserved populations, particularly in the informal sector.
Members are also expected to promote awareness and adoption of inclusive insurance products, contributing to the broader goal of financial empowerment for all Ghanaians.
With this initiative, the NIC aims to address critical gaps in Ghana’s insurance sector while fostering resilience and economic growth.
Gold reserves held at the Bank of Ghana as at end-October 2024 stood at 28.1 tonnes, a surge from the 9 tonnes held a year prior, indicating a year-on-year increase of 19 tonnes in gold reserves.
Ghana’s 28.1 tonnes gold reserves per data made available by the World Gold Council (WGC), constitute 41.2% of its international reserves.
Ghana, per its gold reserves, is ranked as the fifth African country with the most gold holdings – following behind South Africa (125.4 tonnes), Egypt (126.8 tonnes), Libya (146.7 tonnes), and Algeria 173.6 tonnes).
Algeria has the highest gold reserves on the continent.
Globally, Ghana is the 60th country with the most gold reserves.
“Data made available by the Bank of Ghana shows that its gold reserves now amount to 28t. The country’s gold reserves have increased steadily since May 2023, when they stood at just under 9t. Ghana added a further 1t during the month,” said the WGC.
Globally, gold reserves held by Central Banks amount to 36,320 tonnes representing 18.9% of the world’s international reserves.
The United States of America has the highest gold reserves of 8,133 tonnes representing 74.9% of its total reserves.
Germany and the IMF follow with gold reserves of 3,351 tonnes and 2,814 tonnes respectively.
According to the WGC, central banks reported 60 tonnes of gold net purchases in October – the highest amount recorded year-to-date.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) led the field, adding 27 tonnes of gold to its reserves, followed by Turkey and Poland – 17 tonnes and 8 tonnes respectively.
The Independent Power Generators, Ghana (IPGG), has told the president-elect John Dramani Mahama that over the years, Ghana’s energy sector has grappled with numerous challenges.
The challenges include financial sustainability, liquidity crises, and gaps in leadership and policy direction.
In the view of the power generators, Mr Mahama’s re-election represents a renewed opportunity to confront these challenges with purpose and resolve.
“As Independent Power Generators, we are especially hopeful that your leadership will bring about the restoration of stability, transparency, and innovation that the sector has long missed,” they said in a statement.
According to IPGG, Mr Mahama’s victory in the 2024 elections is not just a testament to the confidence the Ghanaian people have in his leadership but also a source of hope for restoring proper governance across critical sectors of our economy, particularly the energy sector.
Below is the full statement…
Date: December 17, 2024
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT-ELECT JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA
The Independent Power Generators, Ghana (IPGG), extends our heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency John Dramani Mahama on your re-election as President of the Republic of Ghana. This victory is not just a testament to the confidence the Ghanaian people have in your leadership but also a source of hope for restoring proper governance across critical sectors of our economy, particularly the energy sector.
Over the years, Ghana’s energy sector has grappled with numerous challenges, including financial sustainability, liquidity crises, and gaps in leadership and policy direction. Your re-election represents a renewed opportunity to confront these challenges with purpose and resolve. As Independent Power Generators, we are especially hopeful that your leadership will bring about the restoration of stability, transparency, and innovation that the sector has long missed.
The IPGG stands ready to cooperate with your government in finding lasting solutions to the challenges confronting the energy sector. We believe that through meaningful engagement, strategic planning, and decisive action, we can create a resilient and efficient energy sector capable of powering Ghana’s developmental aspirations.
Your track record of prioritizing energy infrastructure and reforms gives us great confidence that the coming years will witness a revitalized energy sector that is both financially sound and capable of meeting the growing demands of the country.
On behalf of the IPGG and our members, I extend our full support to your administration. We are committed to working with your team to ensure that the energy sector not only thrives but also becomes a foundation for national economic growth.
Once again, congratulations, Mr. President-elect. We look forward to a strong and collaborative partnership in this new chapter of Ghana’s energy development.
