GOIL PLC says it has made a net profit after tax of GH₵123.89 million in the year 2022, up by 26% compared to the year 2021. The Oil Marketing Company has as result declared a Dividend of GH₵0.056 to its shareholders. According to GOIL PLC, it represents an increase of 19% compared to the year 2021. Thinknewsonline.com has gathered that earnings per share also rose to GH₵0.316 in 2022 compared to GH₵0.052 the previous year. These were disclosed by the Board Chairman of the company, Reginald Daniel Laryea, at the company’s 54th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Accra. Mr. Laryea noted that as a result of the company’s drive to provide stations to many under-served communities, GOIL PLC increased its number of stations by 4 percent. The company’s fuel sales grew by 21.4% during the year 2022, compared to the previous year. Consequently, the overall market share grew from 15.32% in 2021 to 20.11% in 2022. Similarly, the company continued its dominance of the bunkering market increasing its market share from 60% in 2021 to 73% in 2022. He explained that GOIL achieved these positive results despite the harsh external and internal economic conditions. On the company’s future prospects, he announced the completion of construction of the long-awaited Bitumen, hoping that it will boost the construction of roads in the country. He also mentioned the construction of the two Cylinder Recirculation Model refilling plants at Tema and Kumasi, and the completion of modern Auto Gas projects to enhance gas service delivery. The Group CEO and MD of GOIL PLC, Mr. Kwame Osei Prempeh assured customers that recent sporadic fuel shortages driven by logistical setbacks have been overcome while apologizing to consumers, he assured that enough stocks have been pushed unto the market to shore up supplies. He also explained that the Bitumen plant which has begun operations will be commissioned soon to enable the contractors and the Ministry of Roads and Highways get enough quantities to construct more roads. Shareholders in a resolution re-elected Ms. Angela Forson, Mr. John Boadu and Mr. Stephen Abu Tengan, as Directors. In attendance at the AGM were Board members, Management of GOIL and some Shareholders stakeholders and the Company’s Brand Ambassador, Barima Azumah Nelson. Story by: Think News Desk

Government Spokesperson, Kofi Tonto has taken a swipe at the National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi over an allegation leveled against the Electoral Commission (EC) and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to create the impression in the minds of Assin North constituents that something fishy is being done by EC regarding the upcoming by-election. According to Kofi Tonto, Sammy Gyamfi came for equity but with dirty hands. Speaking on an Accra-based radio station, Kofi Tonto said "If you are hear to talk about someone who you allege is a thief, let us also know that you are also a thief. You came for equity but you came with dirty hands" "It is imperative that you will let your people know that as you about to accuse the NPP over something fishy with the EC, you had also committed the same offence" "Sammy also made some remarks about nomination forms. The constitution indicated that an individual ought to be 21 and a registered voter, because the frames of the constitution know that people move to places to work among others but cannot brush away where they hail from" "The essence of why the framers did what they did was not necessarily where you were born but where you hail from. It is tied to who we are as a people" It will recalled that Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi in an earlier statement accused the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) of conniving with the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) to transfer the vote of Charles Opoku to aid him contest in the NPP Parliamentary primaries to select a candidate for the upcoming Assin North by-election. “Our unimpeachable sources have revealed that contrary to the clear requirement on the nomination form for the Assin North by-election, which demands that a candidate in the election must be a registered voter in Assin North, the said Charles Opoku is not a registered voter in the Assin North Constituency.” The EC however dismissed the claim in a statement. Watch the video below: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Deputy Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ernest Owusu Bempah has described allegations made by the National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Sammy Gyamfi against the Electoral Commission (EC) and the NPP as a childish strategy. According to Owusu Bempah, Sammy Gyamfi is a lawyer and thus ought to know better. “This is a childish strategy, he is a lawyer and he is supposed to know better. That is their strategy to create a certain impression in the minds of the people of Assin North. “The NDC has intelligent men and women, they have big lawyers in the party and they allow this statement to come out,” he said on the Big Issue with Roland Walker on TV3 Thursday, June 8. “The NDC has nothing to offer the people of Assin, they were in power but they didn’t do anything for them.” It will recalled that Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi in an earlier statement accused the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) of conniving with the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) to transfer the vote of Charles Opoku to aid him contest in the NPP Parliamentary primaries to select a candidate for the upcoming Assin North by-election. “Our unimpeachable sources have revealed that contrary to the clear requirement on the nomination form for the Assin North by-election, which demands that a candidate in the election must be a registered voter in Assin North, the said Charles Opoku is not a registered voter in the Assin North Constituency.” The EC however dismissed the claim in a statement. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, has reminded government officials that they will not stay in power forever. The clapped back from Prof. Frimpong-Boateng comes following an invitation extended to him from the Office of the Special Prosecutor to respond to some questions on his galamsey report. Speaking on an Accra-based television, he said "I want to caution government officials to be mindful of their actions and also reminded them that they will not be in power forever" It will be recalled that an invitation was given to Prof. Frimpong-Boateng by the OSP in May, to respond to some issues relating to his report. Prof. Frimpong-Boateng also revealed that he was released GH¢2 million bail. The former Chairman of the defunct Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), in page 37 of his report hit hard on the ruling government officials of playing roles in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. He also disclosed that these government officials were also interfering in his work. “These are monies belonging to the people, and so we should all account for our stewardship. If I have done anything wrong, I will go before the court and answer questions. This should apply to everyone" "hose who are in charge now should also know that at some point they will be at the other end. If you are on one side of the table, at another point in time you may be at the other end. And you will also be receiving questions. So whatever you are doing, we should be clever that you are doing everything in the interstate of Ghana.” Prof. Frimpong-Boateng cited Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, Director of Communications at the Presidency, Lord Commey, Information Minister, Oppong Nkrumah, and a host of others engaged in the galamsey business. "I had to be brutally honest with the President and I did not leak the report to the public" "The report was handed over to personnel of the Criminal Investigations Department during investigations on some missing excavators" There has been numerous calls from stakeholders and Ghanaians on Government to probe the report. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and other leading African and Caribbean figures will be among the top headliners at the 30th Annual Meetings of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) taking place in Accra from 18 to 21 June 2023. According to a provisional programme released today, President Akufo-Addo and Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados will be among a set of high-profile leaders, comprising heads of state and government, former heads of state, other political leaders, business leaders, African trade practitioners, trade finance experts, members of the academia and senior public figures, scheduled to address participants at the Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2023). Other confirmed speakers include Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria; Dr. Donald Kaberuka, Chairman of the Board of Directors, SouthBridge Group and Former President of the African Development Bank (AfDB); Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat; Ambassador Albert Muchanga, Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Industry and Minerals, African Union Commission; Strive Masiyiwa, Founder and Executive Chairman, Econet Global and Cassava Technologies; Arnold Ekpe, Former Group CEO, Ecobank, and Chairman, the Business Council of Africa and Baobab; Dr. Vera Songwe, Board Chair, Liquidity and Sustainability Facility and Former Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa; and David Coffey, CEO, African Association of Automotive Manufacturers. Also confirmed to speak are Ahmed El Sewedy, President and CEO, Elsewedy Electric of Egypt; Oussama Kaissi, Chief Executive Officer, Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit; Florie Liser, President and CEO, Corporate Council on Africa; Kayode Pitan, CEO, Bank of Industry of Nigeria; Hani S. Sonbol, CEO, International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation; Simon Tiemtore, Chairman and CEO, Lilium Capital, and Group Chairman, Vista Bank Group; Samaila Zubairu, President, Africa Finance Corporation; Rosa Whitaker, President and CEO, The Whitaker Group; Adam Molai, Chairman, TRT Investment; and Dr. Mima Nedelcovych, Chairman, AfricaGlobal Schaffer. The four-day AAM2023, being held under the over overarching theme, Delivering the vision: Building prosperity for Africans, will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, plenaries and fireside-type conversations focusing on African trade, trade finance and development issues, including the implementation of the AfCFTA. Some of the topics listed for discussion include: Turbo-Charging Implementation of the AfCFTA; Building Prosperity for Africans: The Challenges of Peace and Security; What would it take for Africa to feed itself—Overcoming the challenges of food security for sustainable development in Africa; Building Prosperity: African Culture and Literature as a Foundation for African Renaissance; Delivering the Vision—Corporate Perspectives; and The Future of Integration in Africa. Other sessions will cover: The Benefits of Strong Continental Financial Institutions; Towards a Unified Vision for the Prosperity of Africans; A New Middle Passage by Africans for Africans — Strengthening interconnectivity between Africa and its Diaspora for shared Prosperity; From Parents to Offsprings: Realizing the Vision of PanAfricanism across Generations; Sport as a new Opportunity for Inclusive Growth; Lessons from History as an Opportunity for the Future — Reflections from Africa and the Caribbean; Delivering Prosperity Through Industrialization; Leveraging the Power of Intra-African Trade and Commodity-based Industrialization; Leveraging the Power of Science and Technology in a Digital Era; United We Stand: Deploying AfriCaribbean Resources for Sustainable Development — Perspectives from Monetary Authorities; Unlocking Capital to Deliver Prosperity for Africans; and Thirty Years of Making a Difference: Reflections from Former Presidents. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Minister of State at the office of the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam says the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) remains a good global governance programme aimed at helping natural resource-rich countries to realize the full benefits of their natural resources, through open, participatory, and accountable management. According to Dr. Adam, the EITI Standard has evolved to include disclosures in the other links of the extractive industry value chain. Speaking at the launch of the 2022 EITI Mining and Oil/Gas Report covering the period 2020 in Accra, he said "These include disclosures on contracts, production, exports, revenue management and utilisation, environmental monitoring, and reporting, as well as beneficial ownership." "The Initiative sets out to address the paradox of plenty, or what is commonly referred to as the resource curse syndrome.  Based on this and others, Ghana became a signatory to EITI in 2003 with the objective of using it as a diagnostic tool to guide reforms in the country’s extractive industry" He noted that Ghana is bestowed with rich mineral resources and has a well-regulated mining and oil/gas sectors which has grown significantly over the years to represent an important pillar of the Ghanaian economy. He also stressed the mining and oil/gas sector plays a vital role in the Ghanaian economy. "I am glad to inform you that proceeds from the export of minerals increased from US$ 6.678 billion in 2019 to US$ 6.998 billion in 2020. This translates into a 4.8 percent year-on-year expansion in mineral revenue. The total number of persons employed by the large-scale mines as at 2020 was 34,363. This comprised 8,760 direct employees and 25,603 contractors. The proportion of Ghanaians in the workforce was 98.7 percent. Receipts from the export of minerals represented 48.4 percent of the country’s total merchandise export revenue in 2020. The relative contributions of crude oil and cocoa were 20.1 percent and 16.1 percent in the same year respectively" He disclosed that for the mining sector, the volume of bauxite produced increased from 1.116 million tonnes in 2019 to 1.162 million tonnes in 2020, recording a 4 percent year-on-year growth in its output. "According to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), the mining and quarrying sector’s contribution to total fiscal revenue increased from GH₵ 4.052 billion in 2019 to GH₵ 4.398 billion in 2020, representing an upturn of 8.5 percent. The growth in fiscal payments attributable to the mining and quarrying sector was largely explained by the increase in royalty revenue and dividends, which offset the decline in the other types of fiscal payments." "he value of mineral royalties mobilised by the GRA rose from GH₵ 1.006 billion in 2019 to GH₵ 1.391 billion in 2020, which translates into a growth of 38.20 percent. The increase in mineral royalty payments was primarily due to a record-level prices observed in 2020" "In addition, the Bank of Ghana’s data shows that proceeds from the export of minerals increased from US$ 6.678 billion in 2019 to US$ 6.998 billion in 2020. This translates into a 4.8 percent year-on-year expansion in mineral revenue that was driven primarily by an increase in export earnings from gold and bauxite. According to the Central Bank, revenue from gold exports rose from US$ 6.229 billion in 2019 to US$ 6.799 billion in 2020, while that of bauxite improved from US$ 35.99 million to US$ 37.72 million over the same period" Dr. Amin Adam strevealed that the total number of persons employed by the large-scale mines was 34,363 in 2020. This, he explained, comprised 8,760 direct employees and 25,603 contractors. "The proportion of Ghanaians in the workforce was 98.7 percent (33,919) while the corresponding outturn for expatriates was 1.3 percent. In terms of gender, the total number of female employees was 2,752, which comprised 20 expatriates and 2,732 nationals. Further, the male employee population of 31,611 was made up of 424 expatriates and 31,187 nationals. This implies that males and females constitute 92 percent and 8 percent of the sub-sectors workforce respectively, which is not significantly different from the national gender-employment distribution of the mining and quarrying sector" He stressed that Government through the state agencies will continue to work collaboratively with industry to build local capacity within the extractive sector and to ensure that its policies, regulatory and legal frameworks on local content and local participation are respected for a win-win situation to the country and the investor community. "I am happy to inform you that in the oil and gas sector, a total revenue of US$666.39 million accrued to the State in the year 2020 from Royalties, Carried and Participating Interest (CAPI), Corporate Income Taxes (CIT), and Surface Rentals. A total of 88,418.88 MMscF (Million Standard Cubic Feet) valued at US$606.5 million of both associated and non-associated gas was delivered for domestic power generation. The year 2020 marks a decade of commercial production of oil and gas from the Jubilee field" It is emerging that the upstream oil and gas sector in Ghana contributed 3.7 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Ghana in 2020. A total of 11,615,029 bbls of crude oil was exported by GNPC in respect of CAPI and royalties for an amount of US$496,286,197.87. The total crude oil exports for 2020 as reported by the Bank of Ghana was 67,458,206 bbls. "I would like to emphasise that despite the importance of fiscal receipts from oil and gas resources, as a government, the strategy from the medium to long term is to leverage this resource to establish the linkages and to boost the other sectors of the economy. In line with this, government and a Moroccan company, the OCP Group, have completed the front-end engineering design (FEED) for a US$1.3 billion fertilizer complex in Takoradi in the Western Region towards the production of fertilizer from Ghana’s natural gas" The project, he disclosed is expected to be completed in three years and will help increase fertilizer availability and reduce input costs to farmers to fast track the industrialization of the agricultural sector. "For me, recent developments in terms of decline of our oil and gas production coupled with the potential negative impact of energy transition leading to low investment in the sector, call for the need to consider other areas with a view to ensuring diversification and reducing the impact on the economy for sustainable development." "Mr. Chairman, the contribution of the upstream oil and gas sector to energy generation in Ghana cannot be over-emphasized. A total of 88,418.88 MMscF of both associated and non-associated gas was supplied from the three producing fields for domestic power generation as against 54,053.82MMscF in 2019" A total gas of 28,842.61 MMscF supplied from both Jubilee and TEN fields and delivered to GNGC was valued at US$152,702,353.64 while 56,459.26 MMscF supplied by SGN partners to GNPC was valued at US$453,761,223. The gas from SGN was delivered via the Sanzule Onshore Receiving Facility (ORF) to various power producers for power generation. Daily recorded gas export from SGN, Jubilee, and TEN was 241.8MMscF as against the 220MMscF target. He told the gathering that government received more gas in 2020 and this impacted on domestic energy supply during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic, which positively supported management of the pandemic. On his part, Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources responsible for mining, George Mireku Duker said "It should be noted that it is in this context that, Ghana, through our Ministry which is responsible for mining, signed on to the EITI, some 20 years ago, in 2003 as the first country to do so with respect to mining. Other countries may have signed on then, but only in respect of oil and gas. It is no wonder that, recognizing the Initiative’s focus on championing broad based development through the extractives, the country again signed on to the EITI with respect to its oil and gas in 2010 when subsector activities commenced" "It is also a key reason why, through the Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project, the Ministry has provided financial support in the preparation of the Reports for 2020 which we are about to launch. "Ladies and gentlemen, through the Ministry, the Project is also supporting the EITI secretariat to design, print and distribute 1000 copies of the reports we would be launching, including a braille version to ensure that all visually challenged persons can access and read the reports" Hon. Duker assured stakeholders that government, through the Ministry of Lands & Natural Resources, has only one goal in managing and regulating the country’s mineral and other natural resources under its authority to ensure their responsible extraction and utilization for sustainable growth and development and for the benefit of the nation and its citizens. "I therefore believe the publication of these reports are also in furtherance of the African Mining Vision (AMV), which is geared toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I wish to commend immensely the role of the Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) of the Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GhEITI) and its collaborators, including Development Partners, for assiduously working towards ensuring publication of these reports since Ghana signed on to the EITI. The collaborative extractive industry players need to be mentioned for their noble efforts in facilitating implementation of initiatives, programmes, and strategies for adopting the EITI standards to ensure an effective utilization of Ghana’s natural resources for the benefit of all. This aligns with and is at the core of the mandate of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources" He noted that in recent years, his Ministry has witnessed substantial improvements in its resource governance framework, resulting in increased transparency and accountability. "This notion is backed by the Resource Governance  Index framework developed by the Natural Resource Governance Institute in which as of their 2017 report, Ghana’s gold mining sector scored a total of 56 out of 100 points where poor management of mineral and economic rents were rife. In the recent 2021 report, Ghana scored a total of 69 out of 100 points, a 13-point increase within four (4) years" He explained that the 2021 report saw the revenue management sub-component rising from 37% in 2017 to 54%. "Through the EITI process, we have engaged with local and international stakeholders, fostering partnerships that have contributed to the success we celebrate today. These reports are a testament to our commitment as a country to adhere to global best practices, ensuring that the benefits derived from our natural resources are shared equitably among our citizens. However, as we celebrate our achievements, we must also recognize the challenges ahead. We must remain steadfast in our pursuit of continuous improvement, as there is always room for enhancing our practices, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and addressing emerging issues. We must embrace innovation, technology, and sustainable practices to safeguard our environment while maximizing the potential of our extractive industries" He stressed that Ghana's mining policy document, adopted by the government in 2016, which is currently under review to incorporate contemporary developments, highlights the mining sector as one of the key economic pillars for stimulating growth on a strong and sustainable basis. "In this sense, the major axes for the development of the mining sector revolve, in particular around the control of mining activities based on Ghana's mineral exploration potential; the adoption of robust geoscientific information systems; and appropriate investor-friendly legal and regulatory frameworks. It is important to develop a well-structured mining sector that contributes towards attaining sustainable, strategic development objectives for Ghana. These should include contributing to poverty reduction, the creation of employment opportunities for youth and the initiation of economic growth in line with the Africa Mining Vision and Sustainable Development Goals" "In this regard, my Ministry as part of the 6-year Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project (GLRSSMP) is strengthening the capacities of beneficiary agencies to adopt current technologies and innovative principles and create pathways to enable easy and timely disclosure of information to enhance EITI reporting in coming years. It is expected that work on the predominantly informal Artisanal and SmallScale Mining (ASM) subsector, in this respect, will help to mainstream it" The Deupty Minister for Lands and Natural Resources responsible for Mining thanked hardworking men and women within his Ministry, particularly those directly working at the Project Coordinating Unit, as well as esteemed extractive partners and stakeholders, especially the GhEITI-Multi-Stakeholder Group, for their unwavering dedication towards fostering the adoption and application of the principles of transparency and accountability in the management of Ghana’s extractive industries. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) of the Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GHEITI) has formally launched the country’s 2020 Mining and Oil/Gas EITI reports, published on December 31, 2022. According to the Ministry of Finance, the MSG is a tripartite body made up of Government, Industry and Civil Society, with the responsibility of steering the affairs of GHEITI. The production of the reports was funded by the World Bank through the Extractive Global Programmatic Support (EGPS) Grant. The compilation of the 2020 report brings to nineteen (19), the total number of mining reports so far produced and published since Ghana acceded to the initiative in 2003. In a communique issued by the Ministry of Finance, it said "For oil and gas, the 2019 report is the tenth (10th) since the initiative was expanded to cover the sector in 2010" "The reports, which are published in conformity with the 2019 EITI Standard, go beyond the mere reconciliation of payments and receipts, to include contextual information such as the summary description of the legal framework and fiscal regime, the sector’s contribution to the economy, production and export data, state participation in the extractive industries, revenue allocations, sustainability of revenues, license registers and license allocation, and several other requirements of the Standard" The communique also noted that reports were jointly launched by the Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, who also doubles as the Champion for GHEITI, and the Deputy of Minister of Lands and Natural Resources responsible for Mining, Hon. George Mireku Duker. It is emerging that based on the established materiality threshold of US$13.6m, seven oil and gas companies qualified to participate in the 2020 reconciliation exercise. The companies which participated in the reconciliation exercise were Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Tullow Ghana Ltd, Kosmos Energy Ghana HC, and Eni Ghana (E&P) Ltd. The Anadarko WCTP Ltd, Vitol and PetroSA did not submit reporting templates even though they met the materiality threshold. On the government side, reporting entities whose data were reconciled with those of the companies were: Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Ministry of Finance / Bank of Ghana, and Petroleum Commission (PC). "For the mining report, 14 companies - made up of 12 gold mining, one manganese, and one bauxite – took part in the reconciliation exercise based on a materiality threshold of GHS16m" On key findings on oil and gas, the communique noted that the upstream oil and gas sector in Ghana contributed 3.7 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Ghana in 2020 and recorded a growth rate of -4.6 percent (at constant 2013 prices). It added that the total crude oil production in 2020 was 66.91 MMbbls compared with the 2019 production of 71.4 MMbbls. "This comprises 30.42MMbbls from the Greater Jubilee Field, 17.80 MMbbls from the Tweneboa-Enyenra-Ntomme (TEN) Field and 18.68 MMbbls from the Sankofa-Gye Nyame (SGN) Field" "GNPC lifted, on behalf of the State, 11.8 MMbbls (5.9 MMbbls from the Jubilee Field, 4.0 MMbbls from TEN Field and 1.9 MMbbls from SGN Field)" A total of 237,962.82 Million Standard Cubic Feet (MMscf) of Associated Gas (AG) andNon-Associated Gas (NAG) was produced in 2020 from all producing fields. "Of the produced gas, 88,418.88 MMscf was delivered for power generation and non-power gas users. A total of 26,415 MMScf of the delivered volume was from the Greater Jubilee Field, 5,545 MMScf from the TEN Field and 56,459 MMScf from the SGN Field. The undelivered volumes were either flared or re-injected" The Ministry of Finance also stated that the average achieved crude oil price for 2020 was US$43.3, lower than the 2019 achieved price of US$63.19. "Total petroleum receipts for 2020 was US$666.39 million, compared with the 2019 receipt of US$937.58 million" "Out of the total petroleum receipts of US$666.39 million for 2020, US$638.64 million was distributed. GNPC was allocated US$198.65 million (Equity Financing Cost of US$154.82 million and GNPC’s share of the net Carried and Participating Interest of US$43.83 million); the ABFA was allocated an amount of US$273.38 million (GH¢1,514.8 million); and the GPFs was allocated US$166.61million with the GSF and the GHF receiving US$116.63million and US$49.98 million respectively" Key finding on mining revealed that the mining and quarrying sector’s share in Ghana’s GDP reduced marginally from 7.8 percent in 2019 to 7.6 percent in 2020. The total volume of gold produced declined from 4.577 million ounces in 2019 to 4.023 million ounces in 2020, representing a downturn of 12 percent. "The volume of manganese produced by the Ghana Manganese Company (GMC) plummeted from 5.383 million tonnes in 2019 to 2.358 million tonnes in 2020, representing a decrease of 56 percent" It added that the volume of bauxite produced increased from 1.116 million tonnes in 2019 to 1.162 million tonnes in 2020, recording a 4 percent year-on-year growth in its output. "Receipts from the export of minerals represented 48.4 percent of the country’s total merchandise export revenue in 2020. The relative contributions of crude oil and cocoa were 20.1 percent and 16.1 percent in the same year respectively" The Ministry of Finance noted that proceeds from the export of minerals increased from US$ 6.678 billion in 2019 to US$ 6.998 billion in 2020. This, the communique hinted, translated into a 4.8 percent year-on-year expansion in mineral revenue. "The total number of persons employed by the large-scale mines as at 2020 was 34,363. This comprised 8,760 direct employees and 25,603 contractors. The proportion of Ghanaians in the workforce was 98.7 percent" Below is a copy of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Jospong Group of Companies has once again excelled in its operations as executives and subsidiaries within the Group receive recognitions for their unique contributions in their areas of endeavor. Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, Executive Chairman of the conglomerate received an award as the Group CEO, 2022– Private Sector Business at the 7th Ghana CEO Summit and awards held at the Kempinski Hotel. The award was in recognition of his immense contributions to private sector development through his Group of companies under the Jospong Group. The event was hosted by the Chief Executive Officers (CEO)’s Forum and was attended by CEOs across Ghana. The award was received by representatives of the Group in his stead. In all, over 50 CEOs received Leadership Excellence Awards while 14 public officials received Outstanding Public Leadership Awards for the year, 2022. In a related development, two other subsidiaries of the Jospong Group, Dredge Masters and Kumasi Composting and Recycling Plant (KCARP) also received two prestigious awards at the National Brands Innovation Awards. Dredge Masters Limited received the prestigious Community Impact Award of the year for its exceptional contribution to the dredging sector and the significant impact it has made in sanitizing the national water bodies, while KCARP was honoured with the prestigious Waste Management & Recycling Facility Excellence Award. According to RAD Communications, the awarding institution, the two subsidiaries have showed exceptional innovation in their respective fields. “This award acknowledges Dredge Masters as a leading brand in the dredging sector and recognizes the profound influence of their work in preserving and reviving the country’s water resources,” an accompanying statement said. “The Jospong Group takes great pride and joy in receiving these esteemed awards and recognitions. The entire organization is filled with a sense of accomplishment and gratification, knowing that our hard work and dedication have been acknowledged and celebrated,” says Ms. Sophia Kudjordji, Chief Corporate Communications Officer in an interview after the awards ceremony. “This recognition is a testament to their remarkable achievements as a brand in Health Safety Security and Environment and outstanding commitment to health improvement within their sector of operations,” she added. The award for Dredge Masters was received by the Captain Khan Ansar, Managing Director and his Deputy Mr. Samuel Borquaye and other staff while the Award for KCARP was received by the Managing Director Ing. Samuel Ntumy and his team and assisted by Ms. Sophia Kudjordji, Chief Corporate Communication Officer. The Awards ceremony took place at the plush Labadi Beach Hotel. Dredge Masters Limited (DML Ghana) is an ISO 9001:2015, 14001:2015, and 45001:2018 certified Ghanaian company and a leading provider of cutting-edge, modern technological dredging services. DML provides cost-effective dredging services to the government of Ghana and private institutions. Kumasi Compost and Recycling Plant (KCARP) on the other hand is a mega-scale municipal solid waste treatment plant which was set up to receive and treat municipal solid waste from the Kumasi Metropolis and adjoining district assemblies. Over the years it has established itself as a first class solid waste treatment and recycling plant. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Parliamentary Aspirant for the Abuakwa North Constituency, Palgrave Boakye-Danquah says he is confident that the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) will retain the seat. He made these remarks at a meeting with all 16 executives in the Constituency over the weekend. Addressing the Executives, he said "My coming would make us retain the Abuakwa North Constituency seat" The visit by the Parliamentary Aspirant was to introduce himself to constituency executives of the party in the Constituency. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah who doubles as l Government's Spokesperson on Governance and Security also shared his vision and mission with the Constituency Executives. Thinknewsonline.com has gathered that Palgrave Boakye-Danquah hails from Krodua Fie, Old Tafo. On their part, the Executives welcomed and assured him of their support. The Abuakwa North Constituency primaries is slated for February, 2024. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye has cautioned health service providers in the country to stop acting with impunity over some unpaid arrears. He made these remarks while responding to a question at a 2023 Health Sector Annual Summit (Day 2) held in Accra. He said "The fact that we normally run on credit systems and there has been some arrears does not mean service providers should act with impunity" He added that some persons are using the health insurance to escape responsibilities. "This is a scheme that pays providers every single month. Every 30 days, hospitals in Ghana are paid an average of GHc150 million in this country. That's about 10 million pounds a month" Dr. Okoe-Boye hinted that there wasn't transparency in payments hence the introduction of Sunshine policy. "We wanted to put the file online so that every Ghanaian can click and know that Nkawkaw Government hospital was paid this amount this month and that money paid, last month" "Some of the hospitals begged us not to put it for everybody to see. So what we've done is that we've given the password to key people representing the organizations. DG has the file and we have Pharmaceutical society too" He hinted that an organisation which pays an average of 10 million pounds a month every 30 days cannot be said to be insolvent or collapsed. Dr. Okoe-Boye described some challenges faced by the scheme as Institutional and structured challenges. He also noted that due to inflationary movements, payments tend to get some erosion due to delays. Dr. Okoe disclosed that government is working hard to ensure that it reduces the arrears to its barest minimum. Watch the video below: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Government of Ghana says it is committed to achieving universal health coverage (UHC) and increasing access to essential health services by 2030 and beyond. According to gov't, this commitment can be achieved through strategic investments in Primary Health Care (PHC). Speaking at the 2023 Health Summit held in Accra on Monday, the Minister for Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu said "Dr. Chairman, I wish to reiterate that the Government of Ghana is committed to achieving universal health coverage (UHC) and increasing access to essential health services by 2030 and beyond" "We believe that this commitment can be achieved through strategic investments in Primary Health Care (PHC)" He added that Ghana remains significantly below the Lower-Middle Income Countries (LMICs) average allocation of 2.3% of GDP when it draws an international comparison with other LMICs, based on observed data from the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Global Health Expenditure Database (GHED). However, the proportion of the overall budget contributed by the Government for the health sector has remained relatively stable since 2017, hovering between 59% and 62% - except in 2021, where it reached 64%. Donor funding, he noted, has however been less stable adding that it reached 17% of the total budget for the health sector in 2017 before falling to just 6% of the budget in 2020 after which it rebounded to 12% in 2022. "It is also important to highlight that the contribution from ABFA of the overall health budget has fallen from 1.2% in 2017 to just 0.3% in 2022 (UNICEF Health Budget Brief, 2022)" "The theme for this years’ health summit ‘sustainable financing for Primary Healthcare towards the attainment of Universal Health Coverage: role of stakeholders’ is aimed at drawing the attention of government and all Ghanaians about the need to increase investment in Primary Health Care (PHC)" Sustainable Primary health care (PHC), he explained was a key component of all high-performing health systems, an essential foundation for universal health coverage (UHC), and a prerequisite for meeting the Sustainable Development Goals. "It is a pathway to achieving good health at low cost by providing essential and cost-effective health interventions, including health promotion; maternal, newborn, and child health care; palliative care, immunization; and treatment for common illnesses across the life course" "As the global burden of non-communicable diseases increases, PHC is emerging as the locus of both prevention and the coordination of life-long management of chronic conditions. PHC also has an important role in providing essential public health functions, including responding to epidemic diseases such as the COVID-19 pandemic" "When successfully delivered, PHC serves as a key vehicle for fulfilling governmental and societal commitments. For example, primary health-care expansion improves equity when its services reach vulnerable segments of the population. Because primary health-care services are provided where people live and work, and because PHC focuses on population health, it can address many determinants of health that underpin various sources of vulnerability" He hinted that PHC can protect households’ financial well-being by fostering good health and reducing the risks of disease among breadwinners, caregivers, and other family members, and by averting the need for expensive secondary and tertiary health care. "Despite periodic attempts to refocus on PHC, vertical programmes, hospital-based and specialist-based care models have regularly been prioritised over PHC" Funding for PHC, he disclosed was generally insufficient; access to primary health-care services remains inequitable; services are of inadequate quality; and patients often have to make out-of-pocket payments to use them. "Health-care worker shortages persist, particularly in rural areas where the need is often greatest, and in many countries supplies of medicines, equipment, and other necessary commodities are grossly inadequate" "In our case for example, we have produced a great number of nurses and midwives, but it has become clear that we cannot absorb all of them, losing experience once to the developed countries, and at the same time we also experience unequal distribution of the health workforce" "This situation reinforces a cycle of neglect of PHC: when primary health-care services are unreliable, of poor quality, and not accountable to system users, it leads to poor uptake and low levels of trust in community-level health care. Users choose to bypass primary health-care services, which then receive even fewer resources" "Dr. Chair, ladies and gentlemen, to successfully provide PHC at community level, national and local health-care systems need to be reimagined and restructured, beginning with placing the needs and preferences of people (including the intended users and providers) at the centre of the system design" "This is exactly what Ghana is doing with emphasy on close-to-client centred care through our CHPS flagship programme. We are further strenghtening the PHC level with the new thinking ‘Network of Practice’ where health centres become the hub and other facilities below it as spokes" "Dr. Chair, sustainable health financing arrangements provide the fuel for health systems and a functional PHC programmes: they establish the amount of resourcing available and the way in which risks are shared among those who are ill and those who are well; the ways that funds flow through the system to frontline providers; and the payment systems that create incentives for providers" He revealed that, Ghana's health sector needs more strategic funding to assure the quality of life of its citizens as well as ensure it has a better responsive and resilient health sector in the country. "The year 2022 has been very challenging due to our current economic crisis. Despite the economic challenges, the health sector remained relatively stable in terms of our interventions and corresponding outputs, outcomes and impacts" "The year saw a decline in the institutional maternal mortality ratio from 119.6 in 2021 to 102.6 in 2022. This is very commendable. However, Ashanti, Greater Accra and Eastern regions recorded high maternal mortality ratios though there was a decline in the case of Greater Accra region from 163.31 in 2021 to 155.5 in 2022. There is the urgent need to support these regions to address the possible contributory factors" "Institutional stillbirths, neonatal, infant and under-five mortalities have also reduced marginally in 2022. Family Planning acceptor rates also saw an increase from 33.8% in 2021 to 36.1% in 2022" He stated that Ahafo Region recorded the highest Family Planning acceptor rates among the regions. "All-cause mortality rates also declined from 21.73% to 19% in 2022. These modest achievements among other areas are quite commendable but we really need to do more to continue to justify for more funds" On his part, Country Director, Ghana World Bank, Pierre Laporte thanked the gov't of Ghana for the warm reception since his posting into the country. He was optimistic that Ghana will be able to achieve universal health coverage and increase access to essential health services by 2030. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, MP, says Government remains fully committed to protecting Anglogold Ashanti Obuasi Mine while working to ensure responsible and environmentally-sound small scale mining in Obuasi. The Minister stated this on Monday, 5th June 2023 when he paid a working visit to Obuasi following the invasion of an underground mining pit within AngloGold Ashanti’s concession by some illegal miners last week, leading to a clash between the security in the Municipality and some irate youth of the town. The purpose of the visit was to assess the situation on the ground, and engage the various stakeholders involved in the impasse. The Minister held separate meetings with Traditional leaders in the Adansi Traditional Area, Small Scale Miners, the Municipal and District Security Councils in the Obuasi Municipality and Obuasi East District, as well as the management of AngloGold Ashanti. He also, visited the area of the concession where the illegal miners used to assess the pit, and other illegal routes created by some of the miners. Mr. Jinapor assured the mining company of government’s unflinching commitment to the protection of its concessions. "We’ve got a deeper understanding of the issues at stake. We’ve had very detailed discussions and a lot of conclusions have been reached to first of all protect the concession of AngloGold Ashanti and map out strategy which will give us sustainable resolution of the matter." In the meeting with the small scale miners, the Minister underscored the need for them to respect the laws of the country, and ensure that they operate legally and responsibly in accordance with laid down procedures. He said Government was not against small scale mining, but will not condone illegal small scale mining that pays no regard to the laws of the country. Briefing the media after the meetings, Mr. Jinapor reiterated the commitment of government to the protection of AngloGold’s Obuasi Mine and every licensed mining firm in the country. The Minister emphasized the crucial economic importance of the AngloGold Obuasi Mine to the country. He said illegal mining activities contributed to the Mine being put under care and maintenance in 2016. But through the instrumentality of the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Mine was brought back to life in 2019. He called on all stakeholders to work together to protect the Mine as a national asset. “I want to underscore the importance of this asset to the economy of this country… I should say so forcefully that it is government’s policy that AngloGold’s concession be protected through any legal means”, he said. Mr. Jinapor added that the mining laws of the country will be strictly enforced and persons who flout the laws will be made to face the full rigours of the law. The Minister also tasked the Hon. Deputy Minister responsible for Mines, Hon. George Mireku Duker, MP, to Chair a committee to, among others, examine the Internal Security Architecture of the company as well as provide Alternative Livelihood opportunities for the teaming Youth through the creation of Community Mining Schemes (CMS) and ensure a healthy and closer collaboration among all stakeholders in the Municipality. He, however, insisted that “lack of employment cannot be a justification for illegalities.” The management of AngloGold Ashanti thanked the Minister for his interest in the matter. They said all 86 illegal miners who went underground have come out and been handed over to the police. They pledged their commitment to work with Government to ensure a healthy collaboration between the company and the community. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith