Oil Blocks Dish Out To Retail Companies -ACEP

By Mohammed Awal
awalm19@gmail.com

THE AFRICA Centre for Energy policy (ACEP), a policy and economic think tank, says there is so much murkiness and corruption in the oil and gas industry, as oil blocks are dished out to petroleum retail companies.
 

According to the think tank, these petroleum retail companies, most of them from Nigeria, have no experience in the management of deep water field, yet they are the companies “we are giving oil contracts.”

The Executive Director of ACEP, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, revealed to journalists that the process of awarding Ghana’s oil blocks is fishy, thus the need for transparency along the contract value chain.

He said the contract awarding process is so corrupt and shrouded in extreme opacity and secrecy, to the extent that if Ghana does not take care, it may end up as an oil-cursed nation.

“Ghana must avoid the curse of oil, and the only way we can avoid the curse of oil is to open the process of giving out oil blocks… so that we can attract the best companies to Ghana,” cautioned Dr. Amin Adam.

He was speaking at a stakeholders’ forum on the topic: ‘Open Contracting in the Oil and Gas Industry’, organised by ACEP in Accra last Thursday. He, therefore, called for the establishment of a progressive regime that will establish an open and competitive bidding process, as the yardstick for the award of future oil contracts.

“Open contracting means transparency along the contract value chain,” he stated, as it would send a signal that attracts quality investors, warning; “The lack of it breeds corruption and investments that do not pursue the public interest.”

The Petroleum (Exploration & Production) Bill 2014, which is before Parliament waiting passage into law, attempts to address the problem associated with the application of administrative processes in petroleum licensing.

Clause 10(3) of the Bill establishes an open and competitive tender regime for the acquisition of oil blocks. But, Dr. Amin Adam notes that they, at ACEP, have serious issues with the Bill in its current format, as it contains certain exceptionally mysterious clauses that defeat the idea of transparency and accountability.

Ghana, at the moment, does not apply the open and competitive public tender process in oil concessions –what it applies is the administrative process, where oil concessions are awarded based on discretionary power.

“We are not comfortable with the current state of the bill, especially, relating to the contracting process.  “This is the first time the bill is introducing that, unfortunately there are other provisions in the bill which undermines the proposal for open and competitive bidding.

For instance, the Minister has the power to veto the outcome of an open and competitive bidding process, and to use sole-sourcing to award a contract in the oil sector,” he announced.

Whilst c.10 (3) establishes an open bidding regime, he explained, c.10 (4) gives the Minister the leisure to ignore the outcome of an open and competitive tender process, and to use direct negotiations.

The dangers associated with this process are many, he stated, warning, that the Minister may use his power to shield companies that do not want to go through competitive process, and turn back to negotiate directly with them.

Also he observed that the process may be used to expose the terms offered by competing companies to give competitive advantage to those that prefer direct negotiation.  However, the Ministry of Energy has explained that those clauses are necessary, since they may not find any of the competing companies satisfactory, in terms of the technical and financial capacity.

Tags: ACEP, Oil Blocks

Sal-Valley Tops MTN/Joy Reading Clubs Competition

By Mohammed Awal
awalm19@gmail.com

TWO STUDENTS from Sal-Valley Basic School, Kanda, in Accra, have emerged winners in both the junior and senior categories of the MTN/Joy Reading Clubs competition grand finale, held in Accra. The two are Barbara Amoako and Naima Abdul Majeed.
As part of their prize package, they both received a cheque for GH¢500 each, a weekend lodge at Beige Village and an educational trip to the Bunso Arboretum forest reserve.

The competition was contested by nine children selected from Kanda, Ablekuma, Osu and Burma camp communities, all in the Greater Accra enclave. The Executive Director of MTN Ghana Foundation, Mrs. Cynthia Lumor, said the project’s aim is to make reading both an educational and enjoyable social undertaking.

“Our ultimate hope is that participants will acquire the habit of reading for life,” she stated with optimism, as the project has so far impacted about 500 school children. She, therefore, admonished the school children to make reading a habit, as it opens their imaginative acumen, while enhancing their creativity.

The MTN/Joy Reading Club is an initiative established to provide interventions that encourage children between the ages of eight and 14 to read, and to enjoy the art of reading.

The competition
Nine contestants were drawn from four communities in the Greater Accra Region, namely, Ablekuma, Osu and Burma Camp, for this year’s MTN/Joy Reading Club competition grand finale held at the Y’Ello Tavern, Ridge Towers, in Accra, last Friday.

There were two categories to be contested – junior and senior. At the end of the junior section of the competition, Naima Abdul Majeed from Sal-Valley School, Kanda, was pronounced the winner, raking 101 points. Andy Osei of Oak Ridge school in Ablekuma-Agape came second with 89 points.

The senior department of the competition saw Barbara Amoako, also from Sal-Valley School, beat Nancy Dadzoe of Airforce School to the ultimate. She raked 98 points to Nancy’s 92.5. As a result, Sal-Valley emerged the overall winners of the season two edition of the MTN/Joy Reading Clubs competition.

Guidelines for the competition required that contestants read a passage, identify a photograph, and spell words chosen from the story books. They were also assessed for their diction, pronunciation, body language and punctuation.

Presidency Is 2nd Most Corrupt…Says IEA

by Mohammed Awal

THE INSTITUTE of Economic Affairs (IEA), a policy and economic think tank says The Ghana Police Service (GPS) and the Office of the President are the most corrupt institutions in Ghana.  The indictment is contained in a public perception survey it conducted last year and released at a news conference in Accra yesterday.

The Police Service is yet to officially react to the report. The Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Nathan Kofi Boakye, however, told TV3 during a recent interview that the police are always in the news when it comes to corruption because of their regularly contact with the public.

He noted that other institutions in the country may be worst offenders, but because they do not have direct interaction with the public, they are always left off the hook. He also noted that corruption does not involve the exchange of money alone and that if one abuses his or her office, that is also corruption.

He noted that if those who have been conducting the corruption perception survey should focus on this aspect of bribery, they would notice that the police would not always be leading the pack. The government on its part has issued a statement daring the IEA to provide proof that the presidency is the second most corrupt institution in Ghana. The full statement from the presidency is published on page 3 of this newspaper.

According to the IEA survey, out of a sample size of 1200 households, 23 percent of the people were of the view that “nearly all police officials are corrupt.”

The office of the president followed closely with 19 percent, tax officials –15% percent and Members of Parliament –15%  Others are government officials –13.9 percent, District Chief Executives –13.3 percent, judges/magistrate –13.1 percent, assemblymen/women, the Immigration Service and the Army –11.9, 10.4 and 7.0 percent respectively.

Dr. Ransford Gyampo, a Research Fellow of the Governance Unit of the IEA, presenting the results of the survey on governance said the most governance challenges confronting the country was the “high prevalence of bribery and corruption.”

Whilst countries such as Botswana, Cape Verde, Lesotho, Namibia and war ravaged Rwanda had taken proactive steps in minimizing corruption, that of Ghana continues to plummet,” stated Dr. Gyampo, adding “the survey results clearly point to its severity."

“The purpose of the survey is to solicit and provide information on Ghana’s perceptions on a whole range of subjects, including economic and living conditions, public safety and security, media freedom and abuse, discrimination and relations between ethnic groups, factors which influence elections, trust in institutions, important problems confronting the country, government performance, corruption, bribery and access to public services,” he said.

Ghana in 2013 and 2014 was ranked 63rd and 61st out 177 and 175 countries respectively by the Transparency International and the Corruption Perception Index.  The survey was conducted in all the ten regions of the country with respondents said to be 18 years and above.

Waning trust
The results of the survey also indicate that the public has little confidence in some state institutions especially the tax department.

“The image of the tax department left much to be desired,” Dr. Gyampo noted, as out of the eleven institutions studied, 34.4 percent of the people said they did not trust the Tax Department.

The Electoral Commission (EC) followed closely, recording 35.8 percent, the ruling party –NDC (35.6%), the Police (35.1%) the Metro/Municipal/District Assemblies, the Office of the President and Parliament recording 33.9, 33.8 and 33.1 percent respectively, he added, explaining that this was as a result of their failure to deliver on their respective mandates.

Government Performance
Broadly speaking, about 40% of Ghanaians per the survey thought the economy as a whole is the major problem confronting the country.  Apart from the governance, the survey also focused on the socio-economic conditions of the respondents.  On living conditions –majority of the respondents (63.3%) regard their current living conditions to be bad, with 25.2% indicating theirs are good.

Sack Afotey Agbo … Apollonia Clans Tell Mahama

On January 27, 2015

By Mohammed Awal

Email:  awalm19@gmail.com.

Add caption

THE ACCREDITED heads of Bediako We, Kojo We and Sanshie Sackey – all at Appolonia, near Ashaiman in the Greater Accra Region, have called on President John Dramani Mahama to, as a matter of necessity dismiss Nii Laryea Afotey-Agbo – the Regional Minister, from his current post as he has become a “security threat” to the people of Appolonia.
 

Dismissing Afotey-Agbo, they argued, would automatically bring an end to months of tyrannical and bullish behavior heaped on the people of Appollonia and also an end to illegal land grab and sales.  A statement signed by Nii Iddrisu Mansro, Numo Seth Affum and Numo Seth Gblie Nartey and issued to the Media at a press conference yesterday, said the Minister is a real thorn in the flesh of the people of Appollonia.

“We wish to bring the attention of the Presidency  that the Regional Minister is a serious  threat to the township and the earlier His Excellency, the President, removes him from office, the better,” the statement added.  Nii Iddrisu Mansro, Numo Seth Affum and Numo Seth Gblie Nartey further told the media that a gentleman by name Dampetey, with the alleged blessings of the Minister, had succeeded in grabbing and re-registering about 4,000 acres of Land in the area, to the extent of having a land title certificate.

Sigh of Relief

The Accredited heads of the three clans further contended that his (Afotey-Agbo) sacking by the President would mean that the persistent conduct of interfering in Chieftaincy and Land related issues by the latter would be brought to an end.  “Indeed, the people of Appollonia will heave a sigh of relief,” they noted.
 

Events at Appollonia disrespectful to Ga/Dangbe customs

The clan leaders further observed that attempts by some imposters, headed by the Regional Minister to install Nathaniel Tettey as Nii Nuertey Amobi II as Manste of Appollonia is disrespectful to the Ga/Dangbe customary practices.  

According to the Ga/Dangbe custom, practice and usage upon the demise of a chief, it was incumbent upon the family and elders to ensure that a fitting burial is given the deceased chief before anyone ascends the throne.

“However, in the case of Appollonia, it was the other way round, as even before the burial of the late chief, certain persons unlawfully parading themselves as King Makers installed one Nathaniel Tettey as Nii Nuertey Amobi II as Manste of the area, with the Regional Minister deeply involved as the main architect, noted the statement.

“In all these developments that have taken place in respect of the said nomination, election and installation of the self-styled Nii Nuertey Amobi II, the incumbent Regional Minister, Nii Laryea Afotey-Abogbo has been directly involved with some other imposters, parading themselves as accredited King Makers.
 

”We would want the whole world to recognize that the Regional Minister has been deeply involved with these imposters not only in chieftaincy, but in sale of lands as well, whereby he directly supports them with soldiers  in uniform to intimidate  the entire township of Appollonia,” they observed.

All efforts made by The Chronicle to get Mr. Afotey Agbo’s side of the story proved unsuccessful. When this reporter first called him, his special assistant picked the call and said that the minister was speaking at a public function and that he should call back.  After waiting for an hour, The Chronicle called again and the special assistant told The Chronicle that the minister was touring the Greater Accra region and that he could not speak.

Court clears Kofi Amoabeng of fraud

Date published: November 10, 2014

By Mohammed Awal

awalm19@gmail.com

The Human Rights Division of the High Court has exonerated Mr. Prince Kofi Amoabeng, President of UT Holdings, of fraud charges brought against him by Nana Otua Swayne.

Nana Otua Swayne, who is the complainant, in her suit claimed that Mr. Kofi Amoabeng had fraudulently acquired her property at Number 23 Ringway Estate in Accra, after she released the title of the said property to him.

But, the court, presided over by Justice Kofi Essel Mensah, ruled that the complainant, at the time of filing the suit, had long ceased to be the owner of the said property, and, therefore, had no lawful claim to the property, to be defrauded of it.

Dismissing the case, the judge said from the totality of the evidence before him, he found that the complaints against the respondent (Kofi Amoabeng) by Nana Otua (complainant) could not be regarded as criminal in law to warrant prosecution on a charge of fraud.

He, therefore, ruled that those chargers were baseless and unjustifiable in law, describing it as a charge brought in bad faith.

In his response to the ruling at a press conference Wednesday in Accra, Mr. Kofi Amoabeng said he was deeply satisfied with the ruling, as it was a vindication of “my position of innocence.”

“After years of infringing on my human rights and reputation, justice has finally prevailed,” he stated excitedly, pledging to be guided in all his activities by the values of integrity and respect.

Background

In January 2013, Nana Otua Swayne filed a case against Mr. Prince Kofi Amoabeng, alleging the fraudulent acquisition of her property through the release of the title deed of the said property to one Mr. Alexander Adjei (now deceased) to secure a loan from the HFC Bank.

Nana Otua, in October 2005, decided to sell her house at Number 23 Ringway Estate in Accra, and entered into a sale agreement with the late Alexander Adjei, where the payment price was to be made in installments.

The terms of the agreement were that the property should pass to the purchaser on actual completion of payment. Consequently, UT Financial Services released the title deed to the purchaser upon payment of the full purchase price, as agreed.

However, in her statement of claim, the plaintiff, Nana Otua Swayne, said after negotiations, it was agreed that the selling price was US$280,000 US, payable in three installments – in October, November and December respectively.

However, the UT boss suggested that since she (Owusuaa) was relocating to the United Kingdom, and the purchase price was not going to be paid in full, he (UT boss) was ready to advance a loan of GH¢25,000 with a reduced interest rate of 6 percent, so that when the November installment payment comes, it will be deducted at source.

Nana Otua also indicated in her writ that in furtherance of the loan, Mr. Amoabeng collected the indenture as collateral, but failed to provide the loan as promised.

The lawyer for plaintiff advised her that since she was going be out of Ghana for more than 90 days, during which time full payment of the purchase price would have been made, she should execute a “Deed of Assignment” so that upon completion of payments the transfer of ownership would be smooth.

But, after the plaintiff signed the Deed of Assignment, she claimed, her lawyer handed over the said Deed to the UT boss.

On October 14, 2005, the UT boss sent the Indenture and Deed of Assignment to the Lands Commission and registered the property in the name of the late Alexander Adjei.

The statement further explained that on the same day, the UT boss mortgaged the said property to Mr. Asare Akuffo for a facility, and on the same day the plaintiff was given the first installment of US$100,000.

In November 2005, no payment was made, as well in as December 2005, thereby constituting a breach of contract of sale, and then in February, an amount of £40,000 was purportedly paid as part of the contract of sale.

“To the horror of the female chief, she learnt that even though the UT boss never advanced the loan to her, he purportedly absorbed as much as US$80,000 being the supposed third and final installment, claiming a fraudulent interest of GH¢60,000 on the un-awarded loan of GH¢25,000.

She also alleged that Mr. Amoabeng used her property to secure an unknown facility from HFC, which he had used extensively all these years.

Naa Otua Sawyne, in her writ, was seeking a relief of recovery of possession of her house, H/no. 23 Ringway Estate, Osu, from Mr. Amoabeng, recovery of her indenture from him, and award of general damages for the wrongful and unlawful use of her indenture for monetary gain.

Short URL: http://thechronicle.com.gh/?p=82347

‘Chinese chairs mockery of Mahama’

Date published: November 10, 2014

By Mohammed Awal
awalm19@gmail.com
 
The Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) has descended heavily on Parliament for importing Chinese furniture to refurbish its chamber.

At a news conference themed: “Corruption everywhere-John Mahama must resign” yesterday, AFAG said the move by Parliament to resort to the Chinese to refurbish the chamber was disgraceful and a mockery of the President’s call on Ghanaians to patronize home made products.

“The renovation of the chamber of Parliament at an inflated cost, which undermines the local industries is disgraceful …it’s a disgrace…it’s a disgrace by the institution who makes laws for this country –an institution which superintends over regulations and promoting the interest of the public,” said AFAG’s Chairman, Dr. Nana AyewAfriyie.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Agorwu Furniture, Samuel Kwame Diabo, also echoes AFAG’s concerns. He told CITI Business News that the conduct of Parliament was disrespectful and a way to satisfy their pay masters.

“To be very honest, we are totally disappointed in those people who took that particular decision to import foreign furniture to our Parliament House,” he added.

Locals lack the capacity

However, the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Alfred Kwame Agbesi thinks otherwise. According to him, it was impossible for a local company to produce the over 300 furniture pieces per the limited time available.

“It is not the issue that because they say we should use Made in Ghana goods, then if you want to buy 300 furniture at the end of this week, you must go from shop to shop,” he stated, boasting that “We needed over 300 chairs and 300 tables before resuming sitting and now which furniture company in Ghana would have given us this quantity of furniture within this short time?”

Locals have the capacity

Debunking HonAgbesi’s explanation that local furniture producers have not gotten the needed capacity to produce 300 tables and chairs within the limited time of 3 months, Samuel Kwame Diabo said “Our labour force is about 150 and we would have been able to deliver their order and even beyond.

“To be very honest, Agorwu is very well equipped and we have a few other companies in the system that are very good and when we put our heads together, we should be able to put our Parliament in good shape, with our own local products,” he noted.

Short URL: http://thechronicle.com.gh/?p=82338

Wey Gey Hey ‘74 group launches foundation

Date published: November 6, 2014
By Mohammed Awalawalm19@gmail.com

Wesley Girls’ 1974 batch has launched the ‘WGHS 74 Group Foundation’ that seeks to mobilize resources for the advancement of the education of children, especially girls in Ghana.

Apart from using the foundation’s resources in advancing the education of the girl-child, the group said that some of the resources would also be channeled into the provision of facilities for the school and also improving teachers’ welfare.

This was announced to the media at the launch of the Foundation –WGHS ‘74 year Group Foundation, yesterday in Accra.

The President of the 1974 batch, Esther A.N. Cobbah, who also doubles as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of STRATCOMM-AFRICA said the establishment of the foundation to support the school’s activities was a way of saying thank you after 40 years.

She said the vision of Wesley Girls High School was to produce self-confident individuals who are capable of taking the challenges of a fast–changing world in their stride, “whilst making the most of every opportunity for self-fulfillment and service to mankind,” thus the ultimate goal of the ‘74 batch was to champion excellence in Ghana.

According to her, there were still many girls who needed training and education, hence the establishment of the foundation to contribute to the education of brilliant but needy girls from all parts of the country at Wesley Girls.

“Invest in the lives of these girls –they are being abused because of their excellence…let’s invest in our girls and for the development of Ghana,” appealed Ms. Cobbah.

The Foundation  is expected to raise GHS100,000 by January 2015, stated Ms. Cobbah, noting that the fund raising would be done through a variety of activities and one such activity would be an ‘Afternoon jump’ to be organized on Friday 5^th December, 2014, at the Barclays Club House, under the theme: “Dance Down Memory Lane.”

Professor Afua Hesse of the 1969 batch, in her keynote address said the women worldwide are entitled to and “must be given equal opportunities in education, politics, jobs, access to health services and decision-making, relating to various family, community, national and even international matters.

“Therefore, education of children is very critical to the development of the country,” said Prof. Hesse, observing that it goes a long way in reducing child mortality, early marriage, fighting poverty and improving health.

The headmistress of Wesley Girls, Mrs. Betty Dzokoto congratulated the 1974 batch for their benevolence, saying “such commitments are awesome”, as many more would benefit from that novelty.

How to contribute
There is a bank account in the name of the foundation where donations can be credited. Cheque payment in the name of WGHS ‘74 year Group is acceptable.

Accounts Details are as follows:
Account Name:    The WGHS 74 Year Group Foundation
Bank Name     :    UT Bank
Account Number: 000126202037018

Foreign Account
Account Name:     The WGHS 74 Year Group Foundation
Bank Name:          UT Bank
Currency:              US Dollar ($)                                                                                                              
Account Number: 1071262037035
 Short URL: http://thechronicle.com.gh/?p=82311