The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential Candidate, John Dramani Mahama, has pledged to establish a gari processing factory in the Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa district if elected in the upcoming December 7 elections.
Speaking to a crowd in the Brakwa community as part of his Central Region campaign tour, Mr Mahama pointed out the area’s vast land and water resources, which he believes could support a factory to create jobs and stimulate local economic growth.
Mr Mahama emphasized that, under an NDC government, job creation and economic development would be top priorities, while criticizing the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) for what he described as economic mismanagement.
“A strong economy is the foundation of a prosperous country.
When the economy thrives, it creates money and jobs,” he remarked, assuring the audience that an NDC administration would focus on restoring stability to the economy.
The former President also criticized the NPP for unfulfilled promises, noting that while in opposition, the NPP had claimed Ghana was not a poor country, yet resources appeared limited under their governance.
He detailed plans to partner with the Ghana Exim Bank to establish the gari factory in Brakwa.
Beyond the gari factory, Mahama outlined plans to develop cocoa and palm oil processing factories, aiming to boost local industries and create further employment opportunities in the region.
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has asserted that his administration has demonstrated significant policy innovation in addressing Ghana’s most pressing challenges.
Speaking at the Ghana CEO Presidential Gala held at the Movenpick Hotel on Thursday, 7 November, Bawumia highlighted the government’s focus on introducing modern solutions to critical issues such as economic growth, digitalisation, and infrastructure development.
Bawumia pointed out that under his leadership as Vice President, Ghana had made notable strides in leveraging digital technology and innovative policies to tackle longstanding problems.
He emphasised that his approach to governance has always been centred around innovation, aiming to make systems more efficient and accessible to all Ghanaians.
The NPP flagbearer also made it clear that he is prepared to lead the country into its next phase of development by further embracing innovation and digitalisation.
He explained that these tools would be essential for advancing sectors such as education, healthcare, and finance, ensuring sustainable growth and improved livelihoods for the population.
Bawumia concluded by reiterating his commitment to bringing transformative change to Ghana.
He emphasised that innovation and digitalisation are key to addressing the country’s future challenges, and under his leadership, Ghana will take significant steps towards becoming a more modern and competitive nation on the global stage.
“This is why I am proposing to upgrade Ghana through innovative BOLD SOLUTIONS. It is important to note that the NPP government has demonstrated policy innovation in tackling some of the most challenging issues in our country in the last few years.”
“In education for example, we implemented a free senior high school and free TVET policy despite the odds. The records show that Ghana has the second highest education quality in Africa.
Deloitte Africa will mark International Fraud Awareness Week by hosting its 2024 Financial Crime Symposium on November 20, focused on the theme, “Cryptocurrency and Financial Crime: Navigating the New Frontier of Digital Threats.”
The symposium aims to bring together industry thought leaders to offer actionable strategies in the fight against financial crime, with an emphasis on cryptocurrency-related risks.
The event will feature discussions led by experts and provide networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration among industry executives, regulators, and cybersecurity professionals.
Attendees will engage in discussions on emerging threats, sharing best practices for preventing and detecting digital financial crimes.
Following the symposium, Deloitte Ghana’s Financial Advisory Department will host a three-day training on Fundamentals of Digital Forensics and e-Discovery from November 27-29.
The training will cover core topics including digital forensics basics, electronic discovery processes, mobile device forensics, and an overview of forensic tools.
Targeted at legal practitioners, IT auditors, finance managers, and cybersecurity professionals, the training will offer hands-on experience in data acquisition, preservation, and forensic analysis techniques.
“Our program provides practical skills in mobile device forensics and data recovery techniques essential for identifying data theft, unauthorized access, and supporting legal proceedings,” said Nii Asafoatse Abbey, Training Program Lead and Associate Director at Deloitte Ghana.
Digital forensics, he noted, is increasingly crucial in uncovering fraud, cyberattacks, and employee misconduct within corporate and legal contexts.
Deloitte, a global leader in audit, consulting, and financial advisory services, continues to support clients and communities in navigating the complexities of today’s digital landscape, reinforcing its commitment to impactful service.
As part of efforts to tighten governance and risk management in the finance industry, Bank of Ghana has issued an extensive outsourcing directive to enhance regulatory compliance.
Affected entities includes; banks, Specialised Deposit-taking Institutions (SDIs), financial holding companies, and development finance institutions.
The new directives is to take effect by July 1, 2025. Failure to comply will incur an administrative penalty of 1,000 penalty units or GH₵12,000.
The directive underscores the Bank of Ghana’s commitment to preserving the integrity of the country’s financial system by prohibiting the outsourcing of strategic functions.
Among these are high-level decision-making roles, including the board and senior management functions, credit decisions, anti-money laundering and customer identification responsibilities, as well as critical risk management and cybersecurity roles.
Functions considered essential to a regulated financial institution (RFI) must be retained in-house to avoid conflicts of interest and potential risks associated with losing control over sensitive operations.
The central bank’s directive allows some flexibility, stating that outsourcing arrangements involving non-core functions that do not require prior approval under other provisions of Ghana’s banking laws can proceed without the Bank of Ghana’s approval, provided the bank notifies the central bank 10 days before engaging the service provider.
Financial institutions are directed to conduct materiality assessments of functions they plan to outsource to determine if they are core or non-core, a requirement due to the need for central oversight of critical functions.
Institutions are expected to submit these assessments to the Bank of Ghana by June 2, 2025, and complete any necessary adjustments before the deadline or at contract renewal, whichever is earlier.
The directive also clarifies that certain collaborations—such as arrangements with payment card networks like Visa and Mastercard, and clearing and settlement partnerships—do not fall under outsourcing regulations.
However, for all outsourcing agreements involving core functions, prior written approval is mandatory as per section 60 (12) of Ghana’s Act 930, which governs banks and SDIs.
The Bank of Ghana has also emphasised data protection, mandating that customer information cannot be disclosed to third-party service providers without prior customer consent.
By addressing strategic, reputational, and operational risks, the new regulations aim to prevent outsourced arrangements from undermining RFIs’ stability.
The central bank has directed institutions to begin reviewing existing contracts in preparation for the July 2025 deadline to meet compliance standards.
To utilise space technology for national advancement, Ghana has launched a landmark Space Science Policy.
The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Mrs Ophelia Hayford, led the launch in Accra, noting the significance and the promise space technology held for various sectors when adopted and regulated.
“Let us leverage this policy to promote sustainable practices, drive technological advancement, foster international cooperation, and contribute significantly to the growth of space science in Ghana and across Africa,” she urged.
The Manager of Remote Sensing and Climate at MESTI,Dr Kofi Asare said:“Satellite technology allows us to track crop health, soil conditions, and weather patterns, making it a vital tool for agriculture and environmental management.”
“Space technology can help us manage resources, track agricultural health, and mitigate climate change,” the Director of the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute, Dr Joseph Bremang Tandoh, remarked.
He added the policy would boost job creation and impact infrastructural development.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Professor Elvis Asare-Bediako, revealed the university was soon going to introduce undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in space technology.
“We are ready and equipped with expertise to partner with the government to push the exploration of space technology to its appropriate height,” he noted.
The Space Science Policy was approved by Cabinet in March 2022 but was launched today, Thursday, November 7, 2024. Itis aimed at coordinating Ghana’s space activities and facilitating the establishment of the Ghana Space Agency.
In 2011 Ghana joined eight African countries, including South Africa, for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, with the aim of building the world’s largest radio telescope network.
NASA launched Ghana’s first-ever satellite, the GhanaSat-1, into orbit from the International Space Station on July 7, 2017. The creation of a group of engineering students at theAll Nations University College (ANUC), Koforidua, Eastern Region, the GhanaSat-1 being the first private universitysatellite developed in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Bearing low and high-resolution cameras, among other technology, theGhanaSat-1, a CubeSat satellite, was launched into spacefor exploration and research purposes, measuring atmospheric density and aiding mapping by monitoring the country’s coastline.
The Ghana Fiber Optic Network Project, launched in 2012 by John Mahama was aimed to expand Ghana’s fiber-optic infrastructure, improving internet connectivity and communication services nationwide.
Key Objectives aimed then:
1. Enhance internet penetration and accessibility.
2. Boost economic growth through digitalization.
3. Improve telecommunication services.
4. Connect Ghana to the global digital economy.
Project Components by John Mahama then:
1. Undersea fiber-optic cable landing points.
2. Terrestrial fiber-optic cables connecting major cities.
3. Last-mile connectivity to rural areas.
Impact then:
1. Increased internet penetration from 10% to over 70% under president Mahama.
2. Improved telecommunication services.
3. Enhanced business operations and e-commerce.
4. Creation of jobs in the ICT sector.
International Connectivity under president John Mahama:
Ghana’s fiber-optic network connects to the global internet backbone through:
1. The West Africa Cable System (WACS)
2. The Main One Cable System
3. The Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) cable
These international connections enable fast and reliable data transmission between Ghana and the rest of the world.
John Mahama’s initiative has contributed significantly to Ghana’s digital transformation, paving the way for further technological advancements.
So Dr. Bawumia should stop lying to the unsuspecting Ghanaians! It’s really a shame!
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has signed the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act 2024, a transformative piece of legislation aimed at strengthening the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) and enhancing the regulation of Ghana’s commercial shipping sector.
This legislation, passed by Parliament on July 29, 2024, was formally signed into law on Friday, October 18, marking a pivotal development in the GSA’s 50th anniversary year.
The Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act 2024 significantly broadens the GSA’s regulatory powers, allowing it to oversee all modes of transport—sea, air, and land.
The Act’s provisions are expected to foster a fair, efficient, and competitive shipping environment, a milestone that positions Ghana’s shipping and logistics sector to meet global standards.
With this strengthened regulatory mandate, the GSA aims to enhance transparency in pricing and fairness in service delivery, boosting Ghana’s appeal as a preferred destination for international trade.
Established in 1974 as the Ghana Shippers’ Council, the GSA was rebranded in 1998 to better reflect its enhanced regulatory responsibilities.
Over the years, the GSA has championed policies that promote a balanced trade environment, working to create conditions for a sustainable and competitive commercial shipping landscape in Ghana.
This new Act underscores the GSA’s commitment to achieving a resilient trade ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders, including shipping, logistics, and other trade-related sectors.
In light of the new Act, the GSA has launched a nationwide sensitization campaign to inform stakeholders about their rights and responsibilities under the new regulatory framework.
The Authority is also actively engaging stakeholders to contribute to the drafting of a Legislative Instrument (L.I.) that will support the Act’s implementation.
The GSA has called on all involved parties to participate in shaping this critical instrument, which will play a key role in operationalizing the Act for the good of the sector and the nation.
Management of GSA made this announcement in a statement dated October 31, 2024.
CAPE TOWN, 7 October 2024 – Ministers and senior energy officials from more than 20 African countries convened today for a closed-door session to address the continent’s pressing energy needs and shape a collective vision for a sustainable energy future.
The high-level meeting, held as part of the AOW: Investing in African Energy event, provided a confidential platform for frank discussions and strategic alignment. The AOW event, a leading platform for dialogue and dealmaking in the African energy sector, aims to drive investment, foster partnerships, and showcase the continent’s vast energy potential.
This year’s focus on “Investing in African Energy” underscores the urgency of addressing energy poverty while navigating the complexities of the global energy transition.
A central theme of the closed-door discussions was the need to leverage Africa’s abundant oil and gas resources to directly benefit the African people, the majority of whom still lack access to reliable, affordable energy. Ministers explored pathways to ensure that energy development translates into tangible improvements in living standards, including increased electrification, job creation, and economic growth.
“Our primary responsibility is to liberate the people of Africa from the shackles of extreme poverty, high unemployment, and persistent inequality,” stated South African Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, echoing the sentiment of the closed session. “Energy is the flywheel for any nation’s economic growth.”
Ghana’s Minister of Energy, Herbert Krapa, emphasised the importance of regional cooperation in achieving these goals, stating, “Regional co-operation has a huge role to play in Ghana’s energy vision in that our plans include exporting energy to other parts of the continent.” He highlighted the need for removing trade barriers and developing shared infrastructure, such as pipelines and refineries, to maximise the benefits of energy resources for all Africans.
A panel discussion featuring prominent voices from the private sector highlighted the importance of collaboration and trust between governments and investors. Panellists emphasised the need for stable regulatory environments, consistent policies, and innovative financing mechanisms to unlock the significant capital required for large-scale energy projects in Africa. There was a strong consensus that “African solutions” are needed to address African challenges, with a focus on local content development and regional energy cooperation.
While acknowledging the global shift towards cleaner energy sources, ministers emphasised that Africa’s energy transition must be pragmatic and consider the continent’s unique circumstances. This should include maximising the use of its natural resources to address the need for regional energy security while simultaneously pursuing sustainable and equitable development models.
A sense of urgency permeated the discussions, with a clear call to move beyond dialogue and implement concrete actions. Ministers acknowledged the need for stable regulatory frameworks and consistent policies to attract long-term investment, recognising that building trust between governments and investors is paramount.
The AOW: Investing in African Energy event will continue over the next three days, featuring keynote presentations from industry experts, and government representatives, as well as panel discussions, and networking opportunities.
The outcomes of the closed-door ministerial session are expected to shape the tone and direction of these public discussions, fostering a spirit of collaboration and shared purpose as Africa strives towards a more sustainable, more just, energy future.
Deputy Lands Minister Mr Akwasi Konadu paid a working visit to the Eastern Regional Lands Commission last week, to familiarize himself with the commission’s activities.
During his meeting with the management of the Commission in the Eastern Regional capital, Koforidua, Mr. Konadu emphasized his commitment to identifying key challenges hindering progress and helping to find lasting solutions to them.
The Regional Lands Officer, Mr. Issah Mahama, outlined major reforms aimed at developing effective land administration through decentralization and digitalization.
He highlighted pressing challenges, including Land Encroachment, Insufficient Office Space, and Expanding facilities to accommodate staff and operations.
Also, Stool Lands Boundaries and the drive to Resolve disputes and define traditional land ownership.
Mr. Konadu further assured the Commission that these issues would be promptly addressed to enhance work efficiency at all levels.
The Deputy Minister was accompanied on the working visit by the Technical Director of Forestry, Mr Joseph Osiakwan, Director PPME, Mr Matthew Ababio, and other Officers of the Ministry.
The sprawling informal settlement of Mukuru on the outskirts of Nairobi holds powerful tales of how an innovative gas energy company is providing clean cooking solutions and restoring dignity to households in the Kenyan capital.
Aurelia Aureh, now boasts of smoke-free cooking, following years of using charcoal, which poses a health hazard because of the emission of potent fumes. She usesM-Gas, for low- income households, which employs a pay-as-you-cook model, allowing them to access the commodity in small amounts.
“Before I used to cook outside with charcoal, which was very expensive. I would spend about Ksh50 (about $0.38) on charcoal for any one cooking episode,” she said. Now she spends less than half that amount with less hassle and all the benefits.
Aurelia is elated at the convenience that comes with using M-Gas. “I do not have to go to the gas vendor looking for the gas when it runs out, as M-Gas monitors my usage and replaces my gas before it runs out. I simply continue to pay for my immediate cooking needs from where I am (using M-Pesa mobile money). In addition, it is safe. I don’t have to worry about my children playing with it because it has tight security features.”
M-Gas provides affordable clean cooking gas for low-income households in Kenya. Initiated in 2019, M-Gas uses smart meter technology to enable users to access liquid petroleum gas (LPG) in quantities they can afford for the moment, for even as low as Ksh10 (about $0.077), payable using mobile money. The technologysimplifies LPG access for consumers who cannot afford the upfront cost of gas and LPG cylinders, thus addressing the highcost- barrier of switching to and purchasing LPG.
This caught the attention of the African Development Bank’s Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialisation, Solomon Quaynor, who was in Nairobi at the end of July 2024 to explore opportunities for collaboration in the country’s clean cooking sector.
He met with Martin Kimani, the CEO of M-Gas. They discussed priority areas of partnership towards advancing Africa’s energy transition. He also met with Circle Gas, the parent company of M-Gas. In particular, Board Chairman Carey Ngini, and Board member Michael Joseph. Circle Gas has strategic partnerships with institutional partners, including Safaricom (connectivity and M-Pesa payment solutions), and Total Energies (LPG cooking cylinders).
Quaynor visited Mukuru, where he interacted with Aurelia, and other residents.
Mercy Karimi, another Mukuru resident, tells how before using M-Gas, her three-year-old daughter often got chest infections and breathing problems because of the dangerous fumes from kerosene, which she used for cooking. “But since I started using M-Gas, my child no longer has that problem, and can stay for a long time before visiting the hospital,” she said.
Clean cooking is one of the Bank’s priority areas. In May this year, the Bank pledged $2 billion over 10 years towards clean cooking solutions in Africa—a move toward saving the lives of 600,000 mainly women and children, lost annually from the effects of secondary smoke from partial combustion of biomass, fuel wood and charcoal.
Despite improved access to electricity in recent years, there is little progress to adopt clean cooking, with around a billion people across Africa still cooking over open fires and basic stoves. Using charcoal, wood, agricultural waste, and animal dung as fuel affects the lives of millions of people – mostly women and children – as they inhale toxic fumes and smoke while cooking.
Quaynor also toured the M-Gas depot in Ruaka, a suburb located north-west of Nairobi. Here, he was taken through the paces of how the smart metered innovation works. He interacted with households and even business owners, to seek their views on the M-Gas innovation.
Stephen Njogu, a resident of Ruaka, has been using M-Gas for two years now.
“This system is cheaper because I can buy gas even with the little money I have, compared to the normal gas for which I have to buy the whole cylinder of gas. Secondly, M-Gas is clean, no smoke while cooking, unlike before when I used kerosene, which would emit dangerous smoke,” he said.
Faith Kamau, who runs a small local eatery in Ruaka is another supporter. She is now, able to serve her customers without the fear of gas running out unexpectedly. “I am able to cook many dishes using little energy. I have been able to save some money, which I have diverted to buying more food stock. Besides, in case of any problem with the cooking system, I alert the M-Gas Customer Experience Centre, which responds very fast with advice on how to deal with the problem. I like M-Gas solution so much that I also have it at home”.
According to Quaynor, such experiences are inspiring the Bank to intensify efforts to increase investments towards affordable clean cooking solutions for millions of Africans who still lack access. “The Bank is working withthe private sector, a key player in the energy transition, to catalyze investments in the sector to address energy povertyin line with Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) on affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all,” he emphasised.
The Bank’s pledge of $200million per year represents an important contribution to the $4billion per year needed to allow more African families to have access to clean cooking by 2030.
