Some participants at the re-launch of the Ghana Chapter of Parliamentary Network
The World Bank Country Director for Ghana, Pierre Laporte, last Friday disclosed that the World bank has disbursed over US$10.2 billion to Ghana since the last six decades to aid in the reduction of poverty.
The Bretton Wood Institution has also on annual basis been giving the country $500m to support its development, though it did not state when the annual support started.
“The World Bank has since 1957 approved more than 216 projects and disbursed over US$10.2 billion and we believe that we have contributed to the continuous reduction of poverty in Ghana over the decades, however modest our contribution might have been.”
He made this known at the re-launch of the Ghana Chapter of Parliamentary Network (PN) and the International Monetary Fund in Accra.
Addressing the gathering Mr. Pierre Laporte expressed his hope that Ghana’s development goal would be better coordinated over time, through the national budget which would strengthen the relationship between the sector ministries and the ministry of finance.
“As we deepen our dialogue and support reforms in specific sectors, it is our hope that our work over the years, through the national budget, strengthens the way that sector ministries work with the Ministry of Finance to coordinate Ghana’s development agenda and achieve the results that Ghana has set out for herself”, he added.
According to him, despite the recent economic challenges in the country, he is convinced that Ghana can sustain its lower middle income country status to become a fully-fledged middle-income country.
He continued that the World Bank supports the country with approximately US$500 million a year for road, energy, water, health, education, jobs and skills, social safety, governance and assistance to improving the business environment.
A ranking member and Vice Chair of the Parliamentary Network in Ghana, Ato Forson, in his remarks said the efforts and impact of the PN has been underestimated, especially when the World Bank has made input in the country’s policies.
The event brought together the World Bank Country Director, Pierre Laporte, Chair of the Global Parliamentary Network, Rt. Hon. Liam Byrne, Cassiel Ato Forson, Ranking Member of the Finance Committee in Parliament and the Vice Chair of the Parliamentary Network, Ghana Chapter, as well as other Members of Parliament.
The Parliamentary Network provides a platform for parliamentarians from World Bank and IMF member countries to advocate for increased accountability and transparency in International Financial Institutions and multilateral development financing.
Dr Bawumia being assisted by some of the cured leepers to cut the anniversary cake
The Vice President takes to the dancing floor
The vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on Friday hosted some cured lepers from the Weija Leprosarium to commemorate his 59th birthday.
The vice president has supported them over the years with food items and facilitated the construction of a multi-purpose hostel for them.
Addressing the gathering in a brief remark, he expressed his gratitude to God, saying “I’m overwhelmed by your presence and the love shown me…a year older, a year wiser.”
Time to welcome the guests
He also exhorted the populace not to be scared to touch healed lepers and to always have compassion for them.
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, who was also present at the celebration, made a commitment on behalf of district, municipal and metropolitan chief executives to assist the vice president in his political aspiration to change the country and raise living standards.
A representative of the Weija Leprosarium, Mr John Ampao, thanked the vice president for his kindness toward lepers and for demonstrating such great concern for their welfare.
The birthday celebrant dancing with a cured leeper
He also prayed for God’s continued protection and direction over the vice president in the coming years.
The celebration brought together friends of the Vice president, Ministers of state and well wishers.
The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the National Chief Imam also visited Dr Bawunia to wish him well on this auspicious occasion.
Vice President Bawumia was born on October 7, 1963, in Tamale to the late Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia, a former Chairman of the Council of State, and Hajia Mariama Bawumia.
Veep Bawumia holding discussion with one of the cured leepersDr Mahamadu Bawumia receiving blessings from the National Chief ImamTime for prayersVeep addressing the gatheringDr Bawumia serving his guests with food
Commissioner-General of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah
The Commissioner-General of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, has revealed that tax compliance would soon be the yardstick for land and vehicle registration in the country. He explained that the ability of individuals to register their property with the Land Commission and Diver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) would be dependent on their tax compliance.
According to him, a proposal had been tabled and waiting approval from the Finance Ministry and Parliament. The Commissioner-General disclosed this while answering questions at a media engagement in Accra on Friday, where discussions centered on issues and policies being implemented by the Authority.
He said the Land Commission or DVLA would track applicant’s tax compliance, using their Ghana Card, which would be a requirement for registration. He, therefore, advised the public to file their annual tax returns to prevent any eventuality or denial. He informed editors and senior practitioners of the media fraternity that the move was to ensure compliance, and enhance tax mobilisation in the country.
Sealing Revenue Leakage
As part of revenue mobilisation and enforcement measures, the Commissioner-General added that the Authority had set up a system and stationed officers at the major retail centers to collect data on transactions. He was sure that this would further address the understatement of Value Added Tax by enterprises.
“Additionally, GRA is cracking the whip hard on all defaulting businesses this year. Some businesses have been brought before the Tax Courts on charges of failure to pay tax contrary to Section 80 of the Revenue Administration Act 2016 (Act 915), and failure to issue VAT invoices on purchase of goods and services,” he stated.
E-auction
He further indicated that a pilot online programme had been commissioned as part of the move to address public concerns about the auction of state properties. According to him, the pilot programme, christened ‘Electronic Auction (E-Auction)’, would take off later in October, with 15 vehicles on auction at icums.gov.gh.
Although the GRA boss was confident that the approach was for the common good of the country, the Association of Auctioneers of Ghana had kicked against the development, since the automated auction system did not include them, and fears were that its members may be kicked out of business.
The Authority expects that the E-Auction would increase revenue, bring about transparency, and harmonisation of the auction system, as well as ensure that interested parties interact directly with the Authority and not individuals.
E-Levy
Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai added that revenue from the electronic transfer levy (E-levy) was increasing a month on month basis by 20 percent. “We commenced the implementation of this levy in May 2022. Revenue from E-levy, as at September 2022, amounted to GH¢328.80 million,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the government has revised this year’s revenue target for E-levy to GH¢611 million – A revised figure of initially GH¢6.9 billion and GH¢4.9 billion. He pointed out that the The Authority has ended a post implementation survey on E-levy, designed to identify challenges, address concerns and seal loopholes in the electronic money transfer system.
“It is worth mentioning that, month-on-month basis we continue to see a 20% improvement in [the] collection of the levy. It is, therefore, our expectation that, this will continue and improve domestic revenue generation to support government expenditure,” he added.
E-TCC and E-Ivoicing
The implementation of the Electronic Tax Compliance Certificate (E-TCC) and Electronic Invoicing (E-invoicing) were equally to ensure tax compliance. For instance, the E-voicing hopes to address forgery, overstatement of invoice of VAT input or output, high cost of tax audit, lack of data for effective compliance as well as carding of invoice.
On tax mobilisation, he said “it has been a fairly good third quarter for GRA. In terms of revenue, we have been able to make some gains due to our collective resolve to achieve our target.” He noted that at the end of the third quarter, a total tax revenue of GH¢51,580.17 million was collected for the period as against a target of GH¢52,046.78 million.
Oti Regional Minister, Joshua Makubu addressing the media yesterday
Mr Makaubu in a group photograph with Deputy Minister of Information, Fatimatu Abubakar and other members of his administration
The Oti Regional Minister, Mr. Joshua G. Makubu, has beckoned steel companies to consider setting up their plants in the region, because large quantities of iron ore deposits had been discovered there.
According to Mr. Makubu, iron ore was the key to an industrialised Ghana, hence, the need for companies to take advantage of the discovery and set up their plants in the region.
“I want to advice people in Accra to start looking for land in the Oti Region, because what is going to take Ghana from our current state to a very industrialised nation has been found in the Oti Region, and that is the iron ore… We have discovered iron in greater quantity in the Oti Region,” the Regional Minister said.
He was speaking at the ‘State of the Region Report’, an event put together by the Ministry of Information for regional ministers to talk about developments, ongoing projects, and opportunities that abound in their various areas.
Mr. Makubu took time to mention some of the areas where the mineral discovery had been made. He made mention of Akpafo Todzi, Akpafo Mempasem, and Benua in the Guan District; Kwamekrom, Bowiri Amanfrom in the Biakoye District and many other places.
He noted that currently, the estimation of the mineral resource was being undertaken to get the actual tonnage available, before mining could begin.
He admitted that some private investors were already pushing resources into it, but like Oliver Twist, the Minister asked more to join.
“So if you want to put up a steel company, please don’t be focusing so much on Tema, come to Oti Region,” the Minister said.
Knowing very well that the construction of such companies requires the availability of vast land, the Regional Minister said that the chiefs in the area had pledged their support for making available ligation-free lands for companies which would want to set up their plants in the region.
“…If you are looking for land, it will not be a problem…,” Mr. Makubu assured.
Having it at the back of his mind that a good road network was also a consideration for such investment the Regional Minister took time to let Ghanaians know how roads in the region had been improved.
He indicated that since 2017, the length of highway roads that had been developed, and those that had been improved upon were 210.6km and 407km respectively. On urban and feeder roads, Mr Makubu noted that 26.1km of urban road has been constructed, while that of feeder roads was 129km.
He mentioned some of the areas where these developed and maintained roads took place to be Hohoe to Jasikan, Nkonya Wuropong to Kwamekrom, and Kete Krachi to Buya.
On governance and administration, the Minister said that the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) had started the construction of its own administration block, senior staff bungalows to accommodate its key staff, as well as the construction of residential and administrative infrastructure to house key department and services.
Speaking on education, Mr. Makubu noted that the RCC had embarked upon a number of activities aimed at improving education in the region.
He noted that with the implementation of the free Senior High School (SHS) flagship programme, enrolment figures had increased drastically, from 15,285 in 2016 to 25,483 in 2022, representing 66.72% change, thereby bridging the accessibility gap at the SHS level.
He also observed that government had increased the total number of beneficiary schools from 164 in 2016 to 298 (50.94%), thereby pushing the number of beneficiaries from 103,128 from 51,692.
On educational infrastructure, Mr. Makubu spoke about the construction of various unit blocks which had either been completed or were on-going, all in a bid to ensure quality teaching and learning.
The Minister also gave an assurance to investors not to worry about their security and that of their plants and equipment, because security in the region had been beefed up.
Some of the trees being planted at Tetteh-Quashie Interchange
More trees being planted at the Ghana Standard Authority area
The first phase of the Green Streets Project kicked off over the weekend with the planting of ornamental seedlings in the medians of some road in Accra.
The Director for the Department of Parks and Gardens, Rev. Charles Okine, together with the Technical Director, Forestry, at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Joseph Osiakwan, led the planting exercise with members of the Planning Committee, Forestry Commission, and some selected workers of Youth in Afforestation to plant Tabebuiapallida (Trumpet Tree) from Spanner, Tetteh Quarshie, through the Shiashi-Okponglo road stretch to Legon.
Another tree being planted at Shiashi
The team irrigated the seedlings together with other ornamental trees already planted on the shoulders of the roads, and uprooted weeds that had covered the ground.
The Green Street Project, which is intended to grow some types of trees to improve the aesthetics of the cities and towns, would extend the exercise to three other cities – Kumasi, Tamale and Sekondi-Takoradi.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources over the weekend commenced what it has christened the “Green Streets Project” with the planting of ornamental seedlings along some road medians of the capital, Accra.
The exercise, which had support from the Forestry Commission and some selected workers of the Youth in Afforestation, planted Tabebuia pallida (Trumpet Tree) from Spanner junction, Tetteh Quarshie, through the Shiashi-Okponglo stretch to Legon.
The team irrigated the seedlings, together with other ornamental trees already planted along the shoulders of the road, and uprooted weeds that covered the ground.
The project, according to the ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, intends to grow some types of trees to improve the aesthetics of cities and towns. The planting exercise will be expanded to three other cities, namely Kumasi, Tamale and Sekondi-Takoradi.
The Chronicle commends the initiators and executors of this laudable project, owing to the undeniable benefits of trees to the environment.
We see the project as one that will reinforce the afforestation drive of the nation, especially as the ministry intends to move to other cities in the country to plant trees.
These cities would soon get to the level of Johannesburg, Pretoria and Kigali among other African cities with beautiful tree-lined streets.
The health and economic benefits of trees cannot be overemphasised, giving meaning to the saying that when the last tree dies, the last man dies.
The development comes to us as very refreshing, particularly under a government that is investing hugely in tourism in recent years. Through the internationally acclaimed year of return and other initiatives by the government, Ghana has seen a huge number of tourists come into the country.
It will be a very good sight to have flourishing trees lined up along the streets of the major cities in the country, as these revelers visit. So, we say kudos to the ministry and its partners for the Green Street Project and even Green Ghana Day as well.
However, we have also observed that this is not the first time trees have been planted on that particularly stretch of Accra.
Ahead of the commemoration of the June 4th revolution anniversary in 2019, the late Jerry John Rawlings led his party and the waste management company, Zoomlion, to plant trees on those lanes.
According to a Graphic Online report, “over three hundred trees were planted along the Shiashi-Legon road and more are to be added across the city of Accra.”
Three years down the line, trees are being planted at these same places. So we ask, what happened to those that were planted three years ago?
We are concerned about the state of the old trees, given that the resources that were spent three years ago on planting may not produce the expected results. Today, new resources have been committed to planting new ones.
Yes, it is important to grow trees to improve the aesthetics of cities and towns but it is extremely necessary to look into nurturing these plants to grow.
It would be a waste of precious time, energy and other resources to plant trees without monitoring, unless as authorities in charge, the focus is to have the media around to publicise the planting and then we go to sleep.
We are happy that Parks and Gardens were part of last weekend’s exercise. They know better and we are only hoping that they will have their eyes on the trees planted, to nurture them to grow beautifully to make the city look good.
The MCE, MCD jointly present a wheel chair to a beneficiary
The wheel chairs and deep freezers for the PWDs
The Kwadaso Municipality Assembly, in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare, has presented items and cash amounting to GH¢86,500 to Persons Living With Disabilities (PWDs) in the area.
The items included 33 wheelchairs, 11 refrigerators, two knitting machine, and one shoemaking machine.
The rest are a cold store business set up, charcoal start-up equipment, a fufu pounding machine, and roofing of containers.
Presenting the items, the Kwadaso Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Richmond Agyenim Boateng, and the Municipal Coordinating Director, Mr. Emmanuel Ntoso, cautioned the PWDs to make good use of the opportunity to promote the government’s policy geared towards minimising the high rate of poverty among them.
The MCE noted that the vision of the president to ensure the healthy conditions for PWDs in the country was gradually making a significant impact on their lives.
He said barely four years after the establishment of the Kwadaso Municipality Assembly it has donated items and cash on three consecutive times to the PWDs, and that the gesture would be extended to other beneficiaries who apply for the facility next year.
The donors with inmates at Nana Deborah Safe Heaven Children's Home at Ahwiaa-Overseas
Executives of the Foundation donate to King Jesus Charity Home
The Transformation-108 Foundation International, a charity organisation with its headquarters in Kumasi, has visited three orphanages in the Metropolis to donate relief items running into thousands of Ghana Cedis to the inmates of the Institutions.
The homes are King Jesus Charity Home at Boadi in the Oforikrom Municipality; Children’s Home at Airport roundabout, and Nana Deborah Safe Heaven Children’s Home at Ahwiaa-Overseas.
Items donated included bags of rice, school mattresses, crates of soft drinks, and cartons of cooking oil, among others. An amount of GH¢6,000 was disbursed among them.
The donation was to commemorate the birthday anniversary of an Executive Member of the organisation, Nana Yaw Siaw Asiedu, who personally bought the items.
Nana Siaw Asiedu being assisted by Chairman Nti-Adu to present cash gift to the Kumasi ids Home
Speaking to the media, the Chairman of the organisation, Nathaniel Nti-Adu, explained that his outfit seeks to assist transform the lives of the destitute, for which reason the celebrant was being partnered by the Foundation to contribute his widow’s mite towards the welfare of inmates of the orphanages to mark his birthday annually.
The managers of the various beneficiary orphanages expressed appreciation for the kind gesture, and wished the celebrant many years of live.
They appealed to other philanthropists and organisations to also come to their aid, as many of the former inmates had become well to do in society through such assistance.
Nana Siaw Asiedu assured them of his support at all times, and asked the orphanages to pray for them.
Cecilia Abena Dapaah- former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources
Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, Minister for Water and Sanitation, has described those doing illegal mining activities along river bodies as being evil and a threat to lives.
She advised the perpetrators to stop the practice to safeguard our water bodies and environment before the law catches them.
The Minister, who, together with Mr. Clifford Braimah, Managing Director of Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), toured some water bodies in mining communities in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region to acquaint themselves with the level of degradation of the environment, reminded the people that it was important that every patriotic citizen helped in protecting our heritage.
She stated that there would be a taskforce in every town and village for the residents to provide information as to the whereabouts of the illegal miners for the various security agencies, including the police, military and National Security, to take the necessary action against anyone, be it a citizen or foreign national, caught in the act.
The Minister noted that in helping to protect the water bodies, the government would be able to provide clean water to the citizenry towards achieving the goal of SDG 6.
Mr. Clifford Braimah noted that the continuous destruction of water bodies through illegal mining adversely affect the lives of the people and increased the cost in the treatment of clean water for the people.
He said the cost of Aluminiumsulphate used to treat water for consumption was becoming more expensive.
He stated that the volume of water supplied to the people had been reduced, because about 50% of the water was wasted due to the high level of senility, instead of the usual 5%.
He stressed that maintenance of the machines had also become a problem, compelling the company to stop regular maintenance.
The GWCL MD disclosed that, the cost of treatment was affecting them and reduced production, because anytime the machines were stopped for maintenance, people would not have water to drink, while the cost multiplied.
“Illegal mining, therefore, cannot be taken for a joke and must be tackled with all seriousness,” he advised.
Awulae Attibrukusu, the paramount chief of Lower Axim addressing the press conference
Nana Awuzah addressing the media on behalf of the Otupai Family
Tension is gradually building up between two paramouncies – Lower Axim and the Nsein –
in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region over the ownership of a land that lies between the two traditional areas. Though the disputed land reportedly belongs to Otupai Family, the two traditional areas are still fighting over it.
Whilst the paramount chief of Nsein, Awulae Agyefi Kwame II claims the land falls under his paramountcy and has consequently destooled the chief of the area and installed a new one, the Lower Axim Traditional Area, led by the paramount chief, Awulae Attibrukusu III and the Awuzah Family are also claiming ownership.
Awulae Attibrukusu III went public with a claim over the land, after realising his counterpart from Nsei had removed one Nana Awuzah as chief of the area.
At a recent durbar to welcome six new chiefs and four Queen mothers into the Nsein Traditional Council, Awulae Agyefi Kwame II announced to the gathering that he has replaced/destooled Nana Awuzah as chief of Otupai and replace him with one Nana Asama.
According to the Nsein paramount chief, he decided to destool Nana Awuzah because he violated tradition by deciding not to serve him, Agyefi Kwame.
He said a court had already ruled in his favour as custodian of the land and that, it was disrespectful for Awuzah to stay on his land and decide not to serve him.
some of the sub chiefs who attended the conference
But at a press conference held by both the Awuzah family and the Lower Axim paramouncy, they warned Nsein to tread cautiously else there would be blood bath between the two paramountcies.
The two also called on President Akufo-Addo, National Security, the Interior Ministry and the Ghana Police Service to intervene immediately in what it described as a looming ‘bloody’ clash by compelling the Nsein Paramount chief to perpetually abstain from the Otupai land and chieftaincy related matters.
Addressing the press, Nana Awuza III pointed out that the Nsein Omanhene has no right to interfere in Otupai’s affairs.
“This position has been made clear by decisions of competent courts on the same issue and his persistence will result in a bloody fist as we are ready to serve him with a taste of his bitter food soon.
“This is the last press conference we are holding and we are ready to face him. Chieftaincy is not about press conferences, wherein the Chieftaincy Act allows an Omanhene to enter into another family, hand pick his favorite and install his favorite as a chief,” he said.
Nana Awuzah, wearing red armbands and heavily supported by other chiefs called on the Nsein chief to withdraw his secretly installed illegitimate chief, Nana Asama, who he described as alien to the family in terms of his title.
“The Awuza family only recognises Nana Awuzah III who has been properly nominated and installed by the entire family as the true and only chief of Otupai since 2008. The Awuzah family of Otupai, Lower Axim, further appeal to the president of the Republic of Ghana and the respective legally established agencies to take our petition submitted to them very serious.
BACKGROUND
Giving background to the impasse, he said the disputed Otupai land encompasses the central portion of Lower Axim township, the traditional capital of the Lower Axim Traditional Area.
As a result, Agyefi Kwame’s unwarranted advances are seen not only as frivolous but also as an indirect attempt to arrogate authority over the Lower Axim Traditional Council itself to his stool.
The Nsein chief, he said, had pursued the unfounded claim that the Awuza Family and thus all Otupai lands were under the jurisdiction of the Nsein Paramountcy since 1968.
He said the Otupai Division has been part of the Lower Axim Traditional Council (LATC) since the fifteen century and has never served the Nsein Traditional Council (NTC).
According to him, the Nsein stool was once part of the LATC and that Otupai Division never became part of Nsei, when it was granted autonomy.
He said it was also on record that the Otupai land were not obtained from the NTC as there was no documentation to back such frivolous claims by the Nsein chief and that vehement claim was absurd and “we challenge him to present his evidence to counter claim, as he has severally not been able to produce such evidence”.
Again, no chief from the Awuzah family of Lower Axim has ever served on the NTC since time immemorial. He said since elevation into paramountcy, Nsein, after decades of service under Lower Axim had nine stool chiefs, including the current one, but it is only the latter that is claiming ownership of Otupai for reasons best known to him.
The chief claimed the recent Sekondi High Court ruling reaffirmed that the true and legitimate owners of Otupai are the Awuzah Family and that NTC lacked the authority to annex the Awuzah Family of Lower Axim and its lands to the Nsein stool.
Addressing the same press conference, Awulae Attibrukusu III, Omanhene of LATC said as custodians of traditional custom and values, it behoves chiefs to conduct themselves worthy of emulation and befitting of the stool they occupy.
“And for Agyefi Kwame II, who has occupied the stool for 55 years to conduct himself in a manner unbecoming of a paramount chief of his stature was regrettable.”
Consequently, the Lower Axim overlord appealed to the Nsein Omanhene to consult the Chieftaincy Act 759 on the procedure for enstooling and destooling a chief.
“I am equally by this Act educating Agyefi Kwame that he has no right or authority in law to install a chief where there is already an existing chief.
“We are convinced at this point that his relentless, but baseless actions are calculated efforts to generate discord, litigation and confusion among family members.
“We, the chiefs of Lower and Upper Axim Traditional Councils on behalf of our people state categorically to Agyefi Kwame that all these baseless and false claims must end forthwith. We are resolved to ensure it stays as such using all available legal means”.
Earlier, the chiefs, drawn from both Upper and Lower Axim Traditional area, led by Awulae Attibrukusu embarked on a silent demonstration in protest over the Nsein Omanhene’s claim before addressing the press conference.
