Economics

Moscow, April 25, GNA – For nearly six decades, Ghana and Russia have had an excellent diplomatic relations and still looking to build a stronger economic cooperation. In this exclusive GNA interview, Ms. Shirley Ayorkor Botwe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, explains to Kester Kenn Klomegah, the Moscow Bureau Chief, a number of significant corporate projects being undertaken by Russians as well as some aspects of the current economic cooperation between the two countries.

In 2011, the South African government announced a plan to create a 9.6-gigawatt nuclear energy programme. The project, they argued, would allow South Africa to diversify its energy sector, move away from coal-based energy production and boost economic growth.

But soon questions were raised about who this large-scale industrial project would ultimately benefit. Allegations have been made that public participation was being sidelined and that interested parties were colluding with the Russian government.

It is emerging that Ghanaians, will witness more borrowing under the Akufo-Addo government, contrary to its campaign accusation against the John Mahama government and avowed promise not to borrow to fund its projects.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Bolgatanga Central, Isaac Adongo, has criticized the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) for chasing a loan total of 14 billion dollars with a 15-year repayment timeframe a 19 percent interest rate, saying the Akufo-Addo government is not keeping to its campaign promise of not borrowing to undertake developmental projects.

Accra, April 5, GNA - Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on Wednesday said policy decisions of the Government were based on accurate data and, therefore, called for adequate investment in data gathering processes that would engender development.

He said without information it would be difficult for the Government to take accurate decisions concerning national priorities.

He said the data produced by various actors must be consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals, match user needs and easily comprehensible.

Accra, April 4, GNA - The World Bank’s Vice President for Africa, Mr Makhtar Diop, has extended the Bank’s support towards addressing Ghana’s numerous economic challenges.

He said the Bank was concerned about “one of the engines in the sub-region” and was determined to help Ghana emerge out of her current situation.

Mr Diop made the commitment when he called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Flagstaff House on Tuesday, in Accra.

Ivory Coast’s semi-public water distribution company, SODECI, recently shut down its water treatment plant in the area because of the level of pollution in the Bia River.

Galamsey menace in Ghana

There has been intense pressure on government to end the illegal practice, and save water bodies and the environment from further destruction.

Currently, some water treatment plants in Ghana have been shut down due to the activities of illegal miners, which have rendered water bodies from which the plants harvest water for processing useless.

Ghana is a very funny place. Hypocrisy and selfishness have eaten so much into our social fabric that some of us are even ready to assist in our self-destruction!

Currently, a video in the Twi language has gone 'viral' on the Internet, in which a young Ghanaian man is seen warning the Akufo- Addo Government not to carry out its plans to end galamsey.

Accra, April 1, GNA - Ghana and Japan on Friday, signed two grant agreements totally $ 58.4 million, geared towards the improvement of international corridor roads and sector budget support to promote health service delivery.

The signing of the agreements were initialled for Ghana by Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, while that of Japan was by Mr Kaoru Yoshimura, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan and Mr Koji Makino, the Chief Representative, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

I am very pleased to announce that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, daughter of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, will visit Ghana from this evening as part of a two-country visit to West Africa that also encompasses Sierra Leone.

This visit, The Princess Royal’s third to Ghana, will celebrate the unique friendship between the UK and Ghana as it marks its 60th Anniversary of Independence. It will also reinforce the strength and depth of our bilateral relations.

Effective July 1, 2017, petrol and diesel imported into the country will have a maximum sulpur content level of 50 Parts Per Million (ppm), Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Hassan Tampuli, has directed.

According to him, NPA had to revise the initial start date of April 1, 2017, mainly to engage Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) to make sure that the State-owned refinery as a national asset is not put at a disadvantage position.

He announced this at the 4th Annual General Meeting of the Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD).