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Nations deepen Kotoko’s woes in Obuasi

By
NAABENYIN JOOJO AMISSAH
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Nations vs Kotoko

Nations FC stunned Asante Kotoko at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium yesterday with an impressive performance that deepened the woes of the Porcupine Warriors, who were consigned to a fourth consecutive defeat.

The visitors capitalised on two defensive blunders from Kotoko’s goalkeeper Mohamed Camara and punished him accordingly in the 31st and 45th minutes respectively, to maintain their free scoring performance in their last three games.

Nafiu Sulemana benefited from a poor judgement from goalkeeper Mohamed Camara who failed to deal decisively with an aerial ball deep inside his 18 yard box, to open the scores for the visitors.

Kotoko maintained their composure and kept holding the ball with impressive possessive game but lacked the quality to open up the tight defence of the visitors.

Baba Yahaya’s powerful long range shot, which could have restored parity, strangely struck the woodwork, much to the surprise of the fans at the stadium.

On the stroke of half time, another howler occurred when striker Faisal Charwetey rushed on Goalie Camara in a one-on-one situation and heavily rubbed off the goalkeeper, before increasing the goal      tally for Nations.

Kotoko came back strongly and fought hard, with the introduction of fresh pair of legs, Albert Amoah. The Porcupine Warriors persisted to redeem their image but the visitors stood firm to ensure their city rival’s defeat.

This has left Kotoko with just a point out of a possible 15 points, in their last five games.

DACF: DRIP Is A Clean Deal! … Rejects Okudzeto’s Corruption Claim

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admin
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Some of the DRIP equipment

The District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) has condemned the corruption tag being attached to the purchase of road equipment for the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) by the Member of Parliament for North Tongue, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

In a statement issued in Accra yesterday, DACF said it followed due process for the purchase of the DRIP equipment, which idea was put forward by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia.

The following is the full statement;

DACF EXPOSES OKUDZETO MACHINATIONS ON DISTRICT ROAD IMPROVEMENTPROGRAMME (DRIP)

  1. a) The DRIP programme was entirely the idea of Dr Bawumia. He proposed the idea and was implemented by the following stakeholders.
  2. b) The stakeholders for the implementation of the DRIP Programme are;
  3. i) The District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) – Funding Source
  4. ii) The Office of the President – Procurement Entity

iii) The Parliament of Ghana – Approving Authority of the DACF Formula

iii) The Metropolitan, Municipal, District Assemblies (MMDAs) – Beneficiary of the DRIP Programme

  1. iv) The Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs), Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development (MLGDRD)
  2. The supplier of the DRIP equipment was J.A. Plant Pool, who was awarded the contract.
  3. Quotations were sought from local companies dealing in similar equipment, such as Zonda Tec Ghana Limited.

Consequently J.A. Plant Pool quotation was competitive with favourable terms. Zonda Tec Ghana Limited and others were asking for cash purchase transaction at a retail level.

Whilst J. A. Plant was dealing directly with the manufacturer, Liugong, Shacman, etc.

  1. (i) The total cost of the equipment and other specified ancillary services is $178.7million of which 15% advance mobilisation representing about $26.805million was paid.

In addition, a 3-month moratorium was given after mobilisation and the balance amount to be paid in 9 equal monthly instalments after delivery in Government Bills.

(ii) A two (2) year Letter of Credit (LC) was established by the supplier and his bankers to allow for enough time to make payment of any consideration at no additional cost.

  1. DRIP equipment was tailored made for the programme with high superior specifications and standard comparable to European standard. It is therefore not the same as any quotation for equipment that has been advertised on any website,
  2. The DACF never said in their response to the Minority Caucus nor to Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa that it did not have funds to pay for the DRIP equipment.

Indeed, the DACF has ring-fenced about GHS 3billion out of its outstanding arrears over the years to cater for the DRIP expenditures. This was presented in Parliament for approval and was approved.

  1. (i) It will interest you to know that in 2014, under the NDC Government, similar equipment were procured which broke down within 2years.

DRIP machines were categorised with their respective prices indicated in the contract unlike the NDC era where 60 machines without details were bought for Euro 27.7million.

  1. ii) The equipment purchased under DRIP was 2,420 machines at USD178.7 representing about GHS 2.8billion at an exchange rate of GHS 15.668 compared to the NDC equipment purchased in 2014, totalling Euros 27.795 million for 60 construction equipment and machinery. Converting Euros 27.795 million to Dollars in 2014 was about $36.797million at an average rate of $1.3284.

At the current average rate of $1.05 in 2024, the dollar equivalent is $29.085million at current amounting to Ghs497.353million.

iii) All things being equal, the unit cost per equipment under the NDC administration was USD 484,750 representing about GHS 8,289,225 at the current exchange rate of Ghs17.1 (copy of the contract for the purchase of construction machinery and equipment is attached for ease of reference).

  1. It is disingenuous to take a quotation from Liugong website to compare prices with a customised equipment that have been specifically tailored for our needs. The manufacturer has provided comprehensive after Sale Service facilities with about thirty (32) Mechanical Technicians from China to support the equipment maintenance for 2 years at no additional cost to the DRIP programme.

Additionally, 2 years warranty/guaranteed period after sales at no additional cost as part of the package, free (Telematic) Tracker Monitors on each equipment for monitoring and control of the equipment movements and free training of 70 Ghanaian Operators/Technicians in China as a backup technical know-how for sustainability and continuity of the DRIP Programme and technology transfer.

Furthermore, the equipment were assembled locally to create jobs for the Ghanaians and technology transfer, fully equipped maintenance support garages with spare parts in every region to support the DRIP Programme

Macron Awards Akufo-Addo For Promoting Human Rights

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admin
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Macron decorating Akufo-Addo with the award

The good work President Akufo-Addo has done for the past eight years has attracted the attention of the French president, Emmanuel Macron, who has honoured him with his country’s highest awards – National de la Légion d’Honneur – which translates into English as the National Order of the Legion of Honour.

At a short but impressive ceremony held at the French capital, Paris, yesterday, Mr Emmanuel Macron conferred on the President the “Grand Officier de la Légion d’Honneur” (Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour).

The National Order of the Legion of Honour is the highest honour of merit given by the French Republic to individuals who have provided exceptional services to France, or defended causes and ideals that France supports, such as democracy, human rights, press freedom and humanitarian services.

The award was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, and has been preserved by all French Governments, since the Nineteenth Century.

The Order is divided into five categories, namely the Grand Cross (Grand-croix), the Grand Officer (Grand Officier), the Commander (Commandeur), Officer (Officier) and Knight (Chevalier), with the Grand Cross being the highest category and the Knight being the lowest.

The French President is the Grand Master of the Order and confers the orders on deserving dignitaries.

Previous awardees of the honour include the former German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, former President of the Swiss Confederation, Pascal Couchepin, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former Italian Prime Minister, Massimo d’Alema and the President of the Russia, Vladimir Putin.

Conferring the award, President Macron lauded President Macron lauded President Akufo-Addo’s commitment to democracy and human rights, as well as strengthening the diplomatic ties between Ghana and France.

President Akufo-Addo is on a day’s State visit to France, where he held bilateral talks with the President of the France, H.E. Emmanuel Macron.

He also spoke at an event organised by France Volontaires, the French platform for international volunteering, and a high-level event organised by UNESCO in honour of  first African Director-General of UNESCO, Amadou Mahtar-M’Bow.

Digital Bawumia Outdoors Telehealth

By
RICHARD OWUSU-AKYAW
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Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia

The Vice President, Dr Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, has launched a digital health platform known as Telehealth Health Services to improve access to quality healthcare in Ghana.

Set to redefine the contours of healthcare delivery in Ghana, the Telehealth platform is aimed at bringing medical consultations into the homes and hands of Ghanaians as every Government health facility across the nation will be connected to the service.

Telehealth Services will be under the auspices of the Ministry of Health, in close collaboration with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Ghana Health Service, the Pharmacy Council, and the Health Facilities Regulatory Agency.

The new programme in health forms part of the National E-Pharmacy Platform (NEPP), which has been integrated into both the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and private health insurance systems as part of measures to revolutionize the way prescriptions are managed and dispensed across Ghana.

Launching the Telehealth App at Ejisu in the Ashanti region, Dr Bawumia said the launch of the healthcare app reaffirms his government’s resolve to usher in an era where technology meets humanity in the service of health.

“Today we are launching the NHIA Telehealth Services and the continued nationwide growth of the National E-Pharmacy System and these innovations are the ones that will redefine the contours of healthcare delivery in our beloved nation”, Dr Bawumia stated.

Dr Bawumia said the Ministry of Health, in close collaboration with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Ghana Health Service, the Pharmacy Council and the Health Facilities Regulatory Agency were collectively embarking on a journey to realise a vision that is audacious as it is vital.

He noted that this vision ensures that every citizen has unhindered access to quality healthcare regardless of location.
Benefits
The NHIA Telehealth Services is a key component of the ongoing infusion of technology and innovation into the provision of essential services in every sector of Ghanaian society.

The Telehealth service, he stressed was not merely an addition to the healthcare system, but a revolutionary approach that brings medical consultations into the homes and hands of our people.
TeleHealth Services will make Specialist Care accessible to all and reduce travel costs and time; ease congestion at the hospitals as routine follow-ups can be handled online and free up hospital spaces for acute and emergency cases.

The management of chronic diseases like Diabetes and Hypertension will be improved as there will be regular check-ups to ensure stable management of their conditions without frequent hospital visits.

The decongestion in hospitals will allow immediate medical attention and increase education and awareness, allowing healthcare to reach wide audiences with vital health information that can promote preventive healthcare practices as well.
“Telehealth services provide quick preliminary consultations that can guide necessary actions or interventions much faster than traditional methods”, he added
Dr Bawumia commended the staff of the agencies who have worked collaboratively to make the Telehealth service a reality and urged the officials charged with running the service to ensure and maintain the highest quality standards.

 

Court issues bench warrant for arrest of Agomeda Mantseman’s chief

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Accra Circuit Court

The Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Her Honour Susana Eduful, has issued an arrest warrant for King Teye Ahwa III, a businessman and chief of Agomeda Mantseman Ologotsowe, following his failure to appear in court.

King Teye Ahwa III is wanted to face charges of defrauding by false pretences, with allegations that he deceived Simon Kofi Ohene, a hotelier from Nungua, into surrendering GH¢336,500.00 in cash and assets as part of a land purchase agreement.

According to Chief Inspector Princess Tetteh Boafo, the incident dates back to 2012, when Mr. Ohene was searching for land for a development project.

During his search, he reportedly met King Teye Ahwa III, who claimed ownership of land in Shai Hills, located along the Tema-Akosombo Highway.

The accused allegedly took Mr. Ohene to a parcel of land and represented it as his property, offering two acres for sale.

Trusting this representation, Mr. Ohene agreed to the purchase, handing over his Mercedes Benz CLK Convertible (2002 model), valued at $20,000 (approximately GH¢320,000), along with an additional GH¢16,500 in cash to cover the land and documentation fees.

However, when Mr. Ohene began construction, other claimants reportedly confronted him, denying him access to the land. Frustrated, Mr. Ohene sought an explanation from King Teye Ahwa III, who allegedly failed to provide a satisfactory response.

This led Mr. Ohene to report the matter to the police, resulting in the arrest of King Teye Ahwa III, who admitted to the offense during interrogation.

Further investigations revealed that King Teye Ahwa III had not issued any land documentation to Mr. Ohene and continued relocating him from one parcel to another without success, indicating that he may not have owned any land to offer.

The court has adjourned the case to December 18, 2024, with King Teye Ahwa III required to appear for further proceedings.

 

Bawumia’s gov’t will ensure data interoperability -NPP

By
MAXWELL OFORI
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Richard Ahiagbah

The New Patriotic Party (NPP), which is sponsoring the candidacy of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for president, has said data collected under the current government would be made interoperable next year.

According to the NPP, it was for a good reason the Akufo-Addo-led government prioritised data collection through the digital address system, Ghana Card and others.

The National Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah, who addressed a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 explained that the exercise was to set the foundation, which is now ready for merger.

“Implementing comprehensive data interoperability across government platforms to enhance transparency and streamline services. I have seen this being launched up and down where we have the citizens app, where once your data is captured with all the platforms that we have created so far.

“You are not required in applying for, or in accessing any government service to repeatedly provide your data. You’ll be captured, and this data will be interoperable for whatever purpose you need or for whatever service you need,” he said.

PLAN

The NPP Director of Communications trumpeted its manifesto for the December 7 general election. According to him, the 2024 NPP social contract is a comprehensive plan to revitalise Ghana’s economy and aid the nation towards sustained growth.

Leveraging the digital advancement, Richard Ahiagbah positioned the NPP and its candidate ahead of its opponent, saying the NPP provides superior economic proposals for Ghana.

“The NPP’s 2024 Manifesto offers bold solutions for jobs and business. Its ideas are forward-looking, aiming to stabilise and grow the economy, leveraging the digital revolution to make Ghana competitive,” Ahiagbah stated.

Referring to the fourth industrial revolution, he noted that the NPP’s economic strategies are designed to leverage the opportunities it presents.

“Dr. Bawumia and the NPP’s Bold Solutions for the economy have been widely discussed and found by experts to be relevant, workable and effective in sustaining the economic recovery and delivering a stable economy for Ghanaians in the immediate term,” he added, stressing the credibility and feasibility of the NPP’s proposals.

ECONOMY

In his address, Mr. Ahiagbah urged voters to focus on the economy in deciding on a candidate but stressed that the NPP offers the best policy option to drive growth and improve living standards.

He urged Ghanaians to support the NPP and its presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, in the upcoming December 7 elections.

“We should vote for Dr. Bawumia and the NPP to implement these widely accepted policy ideas to stabilise and grow the economy.

The economy is everything to vote for on December 7 and Dr. Bawumia and the NPP offer the right policy solutions to boost growth and prosperity for Ghanaians,” Ahiagbah remarked.

24 HOUR

He advised Ghanaians against voting for the NDC based on the 24-hour economy, saying that it does not offer “you any opportunity. It doesn’t.”

Describing the 24-hour economy as “an incidental policy,” Ahiagbah said, “it is not a primary policy. It’s not a policy you implement to result in something.

“You implement a certain economic policy that results in the ability to leverage a 24-hour economy. That is the fraud in the 24-hour economy that must inform our readers.”

Pensioner allegedly impersonates late Brother to defraud civil servant 

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admin
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Court Gavel

A Pensioner, Roland Ababio, is facing allegations of impersonating his late brother, Ephraim Asante, to fraudulently sell a plot of land, leaving the buyer out of pocket.

Ababio, along with alleged accomplice, Kwame Gyane Ababio, has been charged before the Accra Circuit Court with conspiracy to defraud and defrauding by false pretence.

The two reportedly convinced a Civil Servant, Eric Kotey, to purchase land at Teshie, falsely claiming it belonged to the late Ephraim Asante.

According to police prosecutor, Chief Inspector Princess Tetteh Boafo, Roland allegedly posed as his deceased brother to facilitate the sale, with Kwame acting as an intermediary.

Eric Kotey was allegedly deceived into making a down payment of GH¢250,000 on the property, with an agreed total price of GH¢450,000.

Kwame appeared in court on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 and pleaded not guilty. Judge Susana Eduful granted him bail of GH¢200,000 requiring two sureties, who must prove ownership of property equal to the bail amount.

The court also ordered that the original title documents be held at the Registry until the case is resolved.

Roland Ababio, however, failed to appear, leaving Judge Eduful to issue a bench warrant for his arrest.

Chief Inspector Boafo reported that in November 2021, Kwame initially introduced himself to Kotey, claiming his “uncle” Ephraim Asante was selling a parcel of land. Kwame later introduced Kotey to Roland, who falsely posed as Ephraim Asante.

Roland allegedly confirmed this identity, authorising Kwame to negotiate the sale on his behalf, saying he would soon depart for the United States.

After agreeing on the price, Kotey transferred the initial payment of GH¢250,000 to Kwame’s UBA bank account.

However, when Kotey revisited the property, he found that Kwame had started developing the land for another family member.

When questioned, Kwame allegedly could not provide a reasonable answer, prompting Kotey to report the incident to the police in May 2022.

Investigations revealed that the land originally belonged to Ephraim Asante, who passed away in 2016.

Prosecution alleged that Roland and Kwame exploited Ephraim’s death to impersonate him and sell the land, collecting GH¢250,000 from Kotey. Part of the land had also been registered under another entity, Daraja Properties, since 2020.

During the investigation, Kwame refunded GH¢130,000 which was returned to Kotey. Both men have now been charged with conspiracy and fraud, with their next court date set for December 18, 2024.

Judge Eduful directed the prosecution to disclose evidence and submit witness statements ahead of the hearing.

Kwabre East NPP ready to set new record in December polls

By
SEBASTIAN R. FREIKU
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Members of the Council of Elders pose with party executives and constituency Elders after the meeting

The Kwabre East constituency of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is about to break its own record of having the highest votes in the last general elections.

The constituency garnered 86,437 votes (77.41%) for the Presidential elections and 77,635 votes (69.71%) in the parliamentary elections.

Registered voters for the Kwabre East constituency are 146,000 but come December 7, 2024 the party is poised to improve upon the results of the 2020 elections.

Dr. Asare Danquah (right) presenting the ‘T’ shirts to the constituency chairman and the PC

The Municipal Chief Executive, Opoku Agyeman Bonsu, briefing the Ashanti Regional NPP Council of Elders on the constituency campaign trail at a meeting at Mamponteng, on Monday, said the party has targeted 100,000 votes.

He allayed the fears that NPP votes in the Kwabre East constituency were threatened by allegations of disunity and mistrust, and assured that Kwabre East will deliver and maintain its lead in the polls.

He urged the party executives and the campaign team to cooperate with the Parliamentary candidate to ensure a massive victory.

The constituency chairman, Frederick Agyeman Mensah, pointed to the herculean task of uniting all delegates and a seeming factionalism arising from primary. He called for the total reconciliation of party executives and the campaign team and the Parliamentary candidate to execute the NPP’s agenda of breaking the 8.

He admonished the PC to be tolerant and build the trust and confidence of the party executives and work hard to achieve the objective of winning the elections massively.

The chairperson of the Council of Elders, Mrs. Rosemond Appiah-Menka, reminded the constituency executives that the ultimate aim of the NPP in the December polls was to win and retain power, and advised each stakeholder to play the role expected of them to ensure the set objective.

Opoku Agyeman Bonsu, MCE Kwabre East

Dr Moussa Jabir Kebir, the Regional Vice chairman of the Council of Elders, reminded the constituency executives, polling station executives and campaign team to be up and doing and add to the number of votes and thus work for percentage increase in votes.

He said all eyes are on Kwabre East, which is the bastion of the party in the Ashanti region, and urged the party to work hard to consolidate the gains of the party in the constituency.

Mr. Victor Owusu Jnr, Secretary to the Council of Elders advised the PC to bring everybody on board to embark on a vigorous campaign trail the last few weeks to the elections.

According to Victor Owusu, the PC, the constituency chairman and the Municipal Chief Executive are the faces of the party and must work hand in hand along the party executives and the campaign team.

Mr. Alex Kuranchie, Board chairman of the Middle Belt Authority and member of the Council of Elders, cautioned the campaign team that the NPP was ‘at war’ with the NDC and urged the party to adopt ideas, policies, numbers and strategies to effectively fight ‘the war’.

Mrs. Elizabeth Agyeman, former Oforikrom MP cautioned against enmity among the executives because there is no permanent enemy in politics.

While Mr Kofi Frimpong, former MP for Kwabre East admonished the executives to build on the foundation laid by founding fathers and former executives to sustain the party, Madam Mary Duodu, Ashanti Regional School Feeding Coordinator encouraged party executives to give out their best because their sacrifices would definitely be rewarded at the appropriate time.

Nana Adu Gyamfi, a member of the Council of Elders also reminded all stakeholders in the party that their allegiance to the party must measure up to 90% and total.

Meanwhile, Dr. Jefferson Asare Danquah, an Accra-based medical practitioner and a native of Ntonso in the Kwabre constituency, has donated 150 party ‘T’ shirts and 250 branded dusters to the Kwabre East NPP constituency to support campaigns in the constituency.

Kumasi Businessman allegedly defrauds US based friend using EOCO as a bait  

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Court gavel

A Kumasi based businessman, Mamud Sule, is alleged to have orchestrated a scheme using the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) as a front to defraud his friend, Oscar Abdul Mumin, of thousands of dollars.

The proceedings, presided over by Her Ladyship Justice Comfort Kwasior Tasiame, revealed an alleged betrayal that has left the complainant, a U.S.-based cab driver, shocked and pursuing justice.

Mamud Sule, along with another businessman, Hani Tikass (also known as Alhaji Kassel or Tanko), face charges of fraudulent breach of trust, defrauding by false pretences and money laundering.

Both Sule and Tikass have pleaded not guilty. They were granted bail of GH¢2 million each, with conditions requiring two sureties (one justified with a landed property document within the jurisdiction), submission of identification cards and digital addresses, weekly reporting to the police and surrendering of travel documents to the court registry.

The Alleged Scheme

According to the prosecution, led by Winifred Sarpong, Sule and Mumin met in the US years ago and became friends, before Sule returned to Ghana thirteen years later.

Mumin, who was working on projects in Ghana with his young brother, Jamal Mohammed’s assistance, entrusted Sule with the management of the projects.

For easier oversight, Mumin and Sule opened a joint account at Prudential Bank at Aboabo branch, Kumasi with funds designated for the projects.

On June 10, 2021 Sule allegedly called Jamal, claiming he had been arrested in Kumasi and taken to EOCO’s Accra headquarters on money laundering charges.

He directed Jamal to contact Habib Mutawakil, who then referred Jamal to Tikass.

The prosecution stated that Tikass met Jamal at EOCO’s premises and falsely claimed that EOCO officials demanded US$60,000 for Sule’s bail.

After securing US$30,000 through another individual, Mubarak, the money was handed over to Tikass, who then assured Jamal the following day that Sule had been released.

However, Mumin soon suspected foul play.

Upon checking the joint account, it emerged that US$245,500 had been withdrawn without Mumin or Jamal’s knowledge.

Upon realising the alleged deception, Mumin reported the incident, prompting an investigation that led to Sule and Tikass’s arrests.

Investigators discovered that no EOCO officials were involved in the alleged arrest and that the entire affair had been fabricated to siphon funds from Mumin.

Following the investigation, Sule and Tikass were arraigned and charged with fraud-related offenses. The case has been adjourned to December 12, 2024, for further proceedings.

Ghanaian Climate Finance Advisor Calls For Greater Financial Support

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admin
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Abena Takyiwaa

Technical Advisor at Ghana’s Ministry of Finance and a key collaborator with the newly established Climate Finance Division, Abena Takyiwaa Asamoah-Okyere, has underscored the urgent need for developed nations to significantly increase financing for climate resilience in developing countries.


In her interview at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, Abena Asamoah-Okyere shared her independent perspective on the responsibilities of wealthier nations to help those most affected by climate impacts, particularly in terms of financial support for adaptation.

She argued that developed nations, having reaped economic benefits from fossil-fueled industrialization that caused global warming, have a moral responsibility to fund adaptation initiatives. These include climate-resilient infrastructure, sustainable agriculture featuring drought-, heat-, and disease-resistant crop varieties suited to changing climates, and nature-based cooling solutions to address rising temperatures in urban areas.

“When things go wrong in the economies of developing countries, there is a direct and indirect impact on developed economies,” she stated. Adding “It’s imperative and a moral decision, especially for oil-producing developed nations, to help those who are now facing the brunt of climate change.”

Abena Takyiwaa Asamoah-Okyere advocated for grants, rather than loans, to fund adaptation efforts in developing countries, explaining that adaptation projects, although economically viable, are widely and also erroneously perceived to be commercially unviable, making them unattractive to private investors.

According to her, oil-producing countries and companies should play a central role in bridging the adaptation funding gap by providing grants.

“We’re hoping such grants will help developing economies address perceived risks through robust project preparation, allowing countries to attract low-cost financing needed to facilitate climate resilient growth,” she noted.

Addressing the ongoing negotiations at COP29, Abena Takyiwaa Asamoah-Okyere highlighted the importance of an ambitious New Collective Quantified Goal—the new climate financing objective, and called on developed countries to be ambitious in setting this goal, pushing for significant resources to be allocated toward building resilience in vulnerable regions.

Commenting on the global response so far, she enunciated concerns that not enough has been done, particularly as the world is at the verge of exceeding the critical 1.5°C temperature threshold.

“Until we’re confident that we’re keeping within this limit, we haven’t done enough,” she remarked.

She also discussed the impacts of climate change on Ghana, describing unpredictable weather patterns that lead to severe droughts or excessive rainfall, often with devastating consequences.

“Governments are forced to divert resources from health, education and other critical sectors to immediately address losses and repair damaged infrastructure from climate disasters,” she explained.

Her comments reflect a growing call for ambitious, equitable climate financing to ensure resilience in climate vulnerable regions. These include countries which have contributed least to climate change, and yet are among the hardest hit.

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