April 2025 - Page 2 of 13 - thesavannaonline

Cardinal Mining to commit $10M towards both gold exploration and airport development in the Upper East Region.

The Honorable Akamugri Donatus Atanga, Upper East Regional Minister, has emphasized the need for increased cooperation. He believes this cooperation should be between mining companies and local communities. This partnership will help reduce resistance towards mining activities and promote employment opportunities in the region.

During a courtesy visit to Cardinal Mining, led by Chairman Tang Zhenjiang, officials discussed the company’s ambitious plans. These include a $10 million gold exploration project and the construction of a regional airport. Zhenjiang stressed the company’s dedication to compliance, corporate social responsibility, and collaborations with government and host communities. Additionally, he mentioned that Cardinal Mining has already built a solar farm within its lease area. The company also plans to introduce high-yield seeds from China. This is to support agriculture underneath the panels.

Cardinal-Mining-&-Upper-East-Regional-Minister

Zhenjiang asked the minister to help educate locals about the project’s advantages. The project guarantees employment opportunities and improves infrastructure. In recognition of the efforts made by the company, Hon. Akamugri emphasized the importance of involving local individuals in employment opportunities to mitigate tensions. He also recommended further dialogue on the proposed airport. This ensures it aligns with current government plans. The land was previously allocated for a similar project many years ago.

Chairman Tang Zhenjiang of Cardinal Mining

“There are lots of efforts here. In fact, there some lands that were allocated for the construction of the airport some 30 years ago, and nothing has happened,” he noted.

“In recent days you can see that, if you have been following social media, some communities members have been trying to take up the mantle by themselves and trying to support by clearing the land round-way. That shows how the airport is so dear to the people of this region,” he stated.

Furthermore, the minister applauded Cardinal Mining for their agricultural efforts and connected them to the country’s “Feed Ghana” campaign. They also suggested partnering on mechanization and providing seeds.

The current NDC administration has introduced a program called Feed Ghana. It aims to focus on agriculture and increase domestic food production. This will reduce our reliance on imports and ensure our citizens are well-fed.

“We have an intention of organizing district mechanization centers where farmers where farmers will have all the needed inputs, whether be it equipment or inputs like seeds for planting. All these will need your partnership,” he added.

He also pushed for extending the solar project beyond Talensi to strengthen security measures.

The minister was invited to tour Cardinal Mining’s operations, which were described as the largest-scale mine in Ghana. The meeting concluded with this invitation.

Daniel Kwame Gariba to run for NPP Regional Secretary

Daniel Kwame Gariba, the former Builsa South District Chief Executive, has declared his candidacy. He is running for the Upper East Regional Secretary position in the New Patriotic Party (NPP). This announcement marks a notable change in his political aspirations.

Gariba failed three times to obtain the parliamentary position in the Builsa South Constituency. Now, he has shifted his attention towards serving the party on a regional scale.

Daniel-Kwame-Gariba—Former-Bulsa-South-DCE

In an interview with Dreamz FM’s James Nana Tsiquaye, the former DCE indicated he’s ready for regional duties. Thus, he’ll be aiming for the position of Regional Secretary of the NPP. According to Mr Gariba, leadership is primarily concerned with serving others. He plans to utilize the leadership skills and qualities he exhibited as DCE to bolster the party.

He vowed to utilize his expertise and background. The NPP focused on revitalizing its foundation. They are preparing for the upcoming 2028 national elections.

Gariba strongly believed in the party’s chances. He declared that the NPP would regain control from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2028 elections. This would be achieved by working together with determination.

According to the PIAC Report, Ghana has experienced a decline in oil production for the fifth consecutive year.

The 2024 Annual Report recently published by the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) reveals a trend. Ghana’s crude oil production has decreased for the fifth year in a row. It has gone down from its highest point of 71.44 million barrels in 2019 to 48.25 million barrels in 2024.

The report showcases a slight decrease of 0.01 percent compared to the previous year and an average yearly drop of 7.4 percent during the five years.

The decrease in production is ongoing. This causes worry about the future viability of Ghana’s upstream petroleum industry. It also raises concerns about its potential effects on the economy. This is especially concerning since the country heavily depends on oil profits to support critical national initiatives.

In addition, the report raises significant issues surrounding petroleum revenue management. It discloses that in 2024, GNPC Explorco did not deposit US$145.68 million — the full amount from their liftings — into the Petroleum Holding Fund (PHF), as mandated by law. This exclusion brings the total unpaid revenue held by JOHL and GNPC Explorco to US$488.79 million by the end of 2024.

According to GNPC, the funding from Explorco liftings should not automatically go towards the PHF fund, which has been a concern for PIAC. In response, the oversight committee has consistently requested clear guidelines and proper adherence to laws in managing these funds to promote transparency and accountability within the industry.

Moreover, the report draws attention to ongoing surface rental delinquencies. According to the report, the IOCs had an outstanding balance of US$2.89 million in rental fees owed to the government as of December 2024. Three companies account for approximately 60 percent of these arrears, and their petroleum agreements were revoked in 2021. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of enforcement and revenue retrieval measures.

Electricity Tariffs to go up. Jinapor calls for calm

John Abdulai Jinapor, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, urges Ghanaians to remain patient. He asks them to be understanding as the country prepares for a 14.75% hike in electricity tariffs beginning May 3, 2025.

According to the recent statement from the PURC, the tariff revision aims to provide stability to the energy industry. It also addresses enduring issues with its operations and finances.

Addressing the Committee of Ministers at the West African Gas Pipeline Project meeting in Accra, Mr. Jinapor emphasized the significance of conducting a review to maintain the country’s power supply and drive progress in sector reforms.

The speaker expressed their plea to Ghanaians and the overall public to understand. They are implementing necessary, albeit challenging, decisions. These decisions aim to have dependable power sources for the country’s economic progress.

In 2025, Ghana is expected to see a growth rate of 4%, according to the projections by IMF.

According to the IMF, Ghana is expected to experience a 4 percent growth rate by the end of 2025. The updated prediction was included in the IMF’s April 2025 Regional Economic Outlook Report. It was published during the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C.

The anticipated 4 percent expansion is consistent with the number disclosed by Finance Minister Dr. Ato Forson in his March presentation of the 2025 Budget. The IMF predicts that Ghana’s economy will experience a 4.8 percent growth in 2026. It seems unlikely that the 2025 inflation target will be met.

Cassiel Ato Baah Forson (Ph.D) – Minister of Finance

According to the IMF, the inflation rate for 2025 is predicted to reach 17.5 percent by the end of the year, which exceeds the government’s desired target of 11.9 percent outlined in the national budget. It appears that meeting the inflation target for the year may prove difficult for the government.

Despite ongoing challenges, the IMF maintains a positive outlook and predicts a significant drop in inflation to 9.4 percent by the end of 2026. This would bring Ghana one step closer to achieving its longstanding goal of single-digit inflation.

The ratio of debt to GDP is expected to increase before eventually decreasing. As of December 2024, Ghana’s overall public debt reached GHS 726.7 billion, equivalent to 61.8 percent of the country’s GDP.

Per the IMF’s report on the Regional Economic Outlook, there is a projected increase in the debt-to-GDP ratio, reaching 66.4 percent by the conclusion of 2025, followed by a gradual decrease to 62.7 percent in 2026.

The goal of the IMF program is to decrease the rate to 55 percent by the end of 2028. Stéphane Roudet is the head of the IMF Mission to Ghana. He expressed confidence during an interview with Joy Business at the Spring Meetings. He is confident that all key benchmarks, including the 2028 debt target, can be achieved by Ghana. This is possible as long as Ghana remains dedicated to meeting program requirements.

The status of foreign reserves and the trading forecast.

According to the IMF, Ghana’s import cover is expected to increase to 3.6 months by the end of both 2025 and 2026. Furthermore, the report stated that the U.S. receives approximately 1 percent of Ghana’s total GDP through exports.

Upper East Regional Hospital affected by shortage of staff

The Upper East Regional Hospital in Bolgatanga is currently facing a significant shortage of health professionals. This shortage significantly affects the standard of healthcare the region provides. As the primary referral centre for more than 1.3 million individuals from within and beyond the area, the facility struggles to function with a severely understaffed team.

The hospital was founded as a clinic in 1946. Over time, it has grown into a 265-bed referral facility. Despite its size, it is currently run by only 760 employees. This number includes just one radiographer and one gynaecologist, a situation that hospital authorities have described as dire.

Dr. Aiden Suntaa Saanwie is the hospital’s Medical Director. He expressed his concern about the impact of the staff shortage on current health workers.

“Our major issue when we went round was staffing. We have received a lot of facilities, and we need the recommended staff to be able to use these facilities to the benefit of the people, and that is a key challenge. For instance, we don’t have a biomedical engineer. When the machines break down, we have to get someone from either Accra, Tamale, or Kumasi to come and work on them. Some of them even come in and end up worsening the problem because they are not certified people.” he explained.

Dr Saanwie addressed the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health during their visit. He highlighted the shortage of staff housing as a significant factor in the issue at hand. He emphasized that numerous healthcare professionals are forced to lease pricey apartments in Bolgatanga. This happens because of the lack of available institutional housing.

“Staffing for our doctors and nurses is among the challenges. High rents in town make it challenging. If you don’t have accommodation and you want to go out and rent, you’re faced with difficulties,” Dr Saanwie explained.

Dr Saanwie expressed gratitude to the Committee for their visit. He urged the government, through them, to provide support in constructing a chest ward. He also asked for help in renovating the maternity block at the hospital.

The Parliamentary Select Committee on Health is headed by Dr Mark Kurt Nawaane, Member of Parliament for Nabdam. They recently visited the hospital. This visit was part of their nationwide tour of teaching and regional hospitals. The delegation also included Patrick Boakye-Yiadom, who is the MP for Obuasi East. It also included Anthony Mwinkaara Sumah, the MP for Nadowli-Kaleo. Lastly, Kingsley Agyemang, the MP for Abuakwa South, was part of the delegation.

Parliamentary Select Committee on Health (Members)

During the visit, the MPs had the opportunity to tour important departments. They witnessed healthcare operations firsthand. They also discussed with hospital management to gain a deeper understanding of the obstacles hindering efficient service delivery.

Dr. Nawaane raised a red flag about the issue. He urged the government to offer unique incentives. These incentives would entice healthcare providers to underprivileged areas. He proposed that the Ministry of Health and Finance collaborate. They should promptly approve funds for medical personnel. These personnel are interested in serving in isolated and impoverished regions.

“We’ve been to different wards, and the problem of staffing is number one, and the government needs to do something about it. The financial clearance that they need, the government has to look at it very well and probably look at these remote areas. The financial clearance can be discriminated in such a way that people who want to come to areas like Bolga should have their financial clearance a bit early. How can the who of Upper East region have 1 radiographer and 1 gynecologist when they need about 6,” he stated.

Additionally, the Committee stressed the importance of promptly addressing the logistical and infrastructure deficiencies at the hospital. These issues have been detrimental to the provision of high-quality healthcare services. Dr Nawaane acknowledged the management’s efforts in maintaining the facility. He also urged them to find ways to increase revenue. This would allow the hospital to generate income.

“They are talking about staff attrition. When they post people here, within two or two years, they leave. You can post a hundred staff here, but without motivation, they will leave. I believe that if the hospital’s IGF is good, they will be able to some extent assist in this staff motivation and reduce staff attrition,” he suggested.

The assembly member of Soe-Yipaala is urging assistance in enhancing accessibility to health and education services.

Dr. Justice Aduko, Assembly Member for the Soe-Yipaala Electoral Area, recently addressed the lack of a recognized health facility in the Soe area. He spoke during an interview on Bolgataga’s A1 Radio. He emphasized the community’s difficulties in accessing healthcare and education and his proactive efforts to address these challenges.

Dr Aduko has played a critical role in bringing the health centre initiative to fruition. The project was initially started under previous leadership.

“In terms of healthcare, we are also challenged. The entire Soe does not have a health centre in its name. In fact, I came and initiated one. Though the idea started with my predecessors, I took it up and made it a reality.” He mentioned.

Despite the strides made, the centre still awaits integration into the municipality’s official pool of health institutions. Credit must be given to the Municipal Health Director. He has provided unwavering support by supplying personnel to ensure smooth operations. At the same time, efforts towards complete absorption are ongoing.

The Assembly Member expressed concerns about the dire situation in education. Despite some existing school infrastructure, it falls short of meeting the demands of an expanding student population. He further noted that numerous obstacles, besides physical facilities, impede educational progress in the region.

“Education is also very, very terrible. Yes, of course, we have some school infrastructure, but it’s not enough for the pupils, which poses serious educational challenges. Beyond the infrastructure, there are other issues confronting the educational sector.” He further stated in the interview.

In pursuit of enhancing student achievement, he has implemented various individual endeavours. One such effort is the “One B.E.C.E. Candidate, One Math Set” project, which equips students with math sets and stationery to prepare for the BECE. This program covers both Soe and Yipaala and aims to inspire candidates while alleviating the financial strain on their parents.

In addition, an annual award ceremony acknowledges high-performing BECE candidates. These candidates receive scores ranging from 6 to 15 on their aggregates.

Those who achieve aggregates ranging from 6 to 15 on the BECE are gathered and presented with awards. The initiative provides motivational sessions for students before their exams. It also supports teachers in arranging additional classes leading up to the BECE.

“We have also been supporting the teachers anytime BECE is approaching, to organize special extra classes for candidates.”

He acknowledges the issue of student hunger during exams. He is also investigating methods to offer breakfast for candidates before they take their tests. The Assembly Member shared his current discussions with Nestlé Ghana. They are exploring a potential partnership and financial support. Additionally, he holds an annual end-of-year event to recognize and motivate teachers for their hard work.

Dr. Aduko provides guidance and support for senior high school graduates who struggle to pursue higher education. He urges individuals to support his efforts to enhance the standard of living in Soe-Yipaala. He calls on organizations and corporate bodies to assist, particularly in terms of health and education.

He continued to urge individuals to join and show their support for these efforts.

MTN Ghana has confirmed that there has been a data breach impacting 5,700 of their customers.

The recent security breach has impacted around 5,700 MTN Ghana customers, as stated by the MTN Group. The DPC is currently conducting an investigation. They are looking into a possible cyber security breach. It resulted in the unauthorized access of personal data belonging to certain MTN Ghana customers.

MTN Group reassured the public of its close collaboration with top cyber security professionals. It is conducting a thorough forensic inquiry. This follows standard security procedures to determine the impact.

On April 28, MTN Group released a statement promising to reach out to all impacted customers personally.

The company stated that the investigation is still ongoing. It underscored its commitment to allocating the necessary resources to resolve the issue promptly.

“MTN assures its customers that the privacy of information is our top priority, and we remain committed to safeguarding the integrity of our systems and the trust placed in us by our customers and other stakeholders. We will continue to contain and manage this matter carefully,” it pledged.

In addition, the MTN Group advised its customers to stay alert and adhere to regular security protocols, emphasizing:

To prevent potential repercussions of fraud, individuals have an option. They can place a fraud alert on their credit report. They can do this with any of the main credit bureaus.

Make sure to keep all your MTN, MoMo and banking apps and devices updated.

Consider using robust and distinctive passwords for your accounts, and remember to update them periodically.

It is essential to exercise caution when receiving unexpected messages and avoid clicking on any suspicious links.

Avoid revealing sensitive information like passwords, PINs, and OTP when requested via phone, text, or email.