Day: July 27, 2023

In the ongoing trial of Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minority Leader in Parliament, an expert witness has shed light on the nature of a letter signed by Dr Forson requesting letters of credit (LCs) to be established by the Bank of Ghana (BoG) in favour of Big Sea Trading LLC of Dubai.

The witness, Alexander Kofi Mensah Mould, a seasoned Banking and Finance Expert, according to myjoyonline.com testifying in the Accra Economic and Financial Court, stated that the said letter was not an application for an LC.

During cross-examination by the Attorney General, Godfred Dame, Alex Mould explained that while the Ministry of Finance needed to write to the BoG to request LCs to be established, the letter alone did not trigger the creation of an LC.

He clarified that a proper application from the relevant Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDA) was essential to initiate the establishment of an LC.

In a previous hearing, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson had asserted that the letters he signed on behalf of the then Finance Minister, requesting the establishment of letters of credit for Big Sea General Trading LLC of Dubai, were merely the initial step in the process and did not constitute payment.

Drawing from his extensive experience in Trade Finance gained during his tenure at the Union Bank of Switzerland and Standard Chartered Bank in the United States of America, the expert witness elaborated that LCs were not payments in themselves but rather served as a guarantee of payment upon the occurrence of a specific event.

He emphasized that the documents presented by the prosecution did not support the claim that Dr Forson had caused financial loss merely by signing a letter requesting the establishment of an LC in favour of Big Sea.

He further clarified that, according to Ghana’s financial management laws, only the finance minister possessed the authority to authorize such requests for LCs, and it was not uncommon for Deputy Ministers to sign letters on behalf of their Ministers.

Dr Cassiel Ato Forson is facing allegations of causing financial loss to the state for supposedly authorizing the establishment of an LC in favour of Big Sea for the supply of 30 ambulances without proper authorization.

The expert witness’s testimony challenges the notion that the letter signed by Dr Forson alone could lead to such financial loss.

Source: Ghana Web

Climate change is fast turning farmers and their profession in a serious ditch. The volatile weather patterns, shorter growing seasons, heavy droughts, life-threatening temperatures and amplified exposure to pests and crop diseases pose scary problems to smallholder farmers, especially, those in the tropics.

Climate-smart agricultural practices can assist farmers find their feet to and prepare against the deteriorating climate and its ugly impacts on livelihoods. According to World Food Programme, Africa’s population expected to hit 9.8 billion by 2050. This means, the struggle for land resources for human survival is imminent and climate-smart agriculture is crucial to food security in the world, especially Sub-Saharan Africa.

It is also an established fact that about 80 percent of food consumed in Africa are produced by smallholder farmers who can afford little or no technology. In this case, climate-smart agriculture must be a great concern to African leaders, farmers and organizations.

Climate change literally means the long term shift in temperatures and weather patterns – United Nations. The shift or change in patterns could be as a result of natural or anthropogenic (human) causes. However, since 1800, human activities have been the major driver of various threats on the environment, therefore escalating climate change.

Climate-smart agriculture is similar to sustainable agriculture. It is a way of putting together various sustainable measures to tackle climate challenges of a specific area that affect agriculture or farming. Climate-smart agriculture wind on assessing a particular climate risk and we design appropriate measures to deal with it.

Farming in an area franked with prolonged water scarcities demands a different approach than an area known for frequent flooding. There is a need to use different tools to assess climate risk and its impact on the landscape of the area, the ecosystems and which crop to grow. When we get these amalgamations right, where an area for farming activities nurtures resilience to future impacts of climate, we have achieved a climate-smart agricultural environment.

Climate-smart agricultural measures must address all or any of the following – improve productivity and livelihoods of farmers; make farms more resilient to current and future climate impacts; and to restrain greenhouse gas emissions as a result of the farming activities.

Achieving climate-smart agricultural environment hinders on some key methods and practices. I want to elaborate on some of these methods. Technological advancement, innovations and continuous research contributes to develop new ways and methods in dealing with climate issues related to agriculture, and so, these may not be exhaustive.

Our efforts as industry players and partners to achieve food security without causing any foul impact on the climate must be seen as collective responsibility and one, that must be given the necessary investment and attention it deserves. These must be aimed at proactive critical approaches, some of which are discussed below;

Crop management approach: In this approach, there is the need to do an assessment of the impact of climate and the associated risk in the farming area or community. Once this is done, appropriate strategies for such an area is introduced with consideration of the landscape or vegetation in the area, type of farming in the area and even the size of farms.

For instance, if I want to carry out pruning in a cocoa farm in an area where there is abundance of rainfall, the climate risk here is the extreme rainfall and so pruning must be carried out on regular basis. In cases of scarce rainfall, pruning must be controlled and done periodically so that branches and roots of the cocoa trees are not exposed to the the dry weather as this may cause the trees to die.

Pest and Disease Management Approach: The fast rising global atmospheric temperatures and elevated carbon dioxide gases, otherwise known as global warming has the potency to impact on various forms of pests and diseases that affects farm yields and productivity in diverse ways. Carbon dioxide may increase crop yield for some period due to carbon fertilization in the atmosphere but they reduce with time. Rising temperatures have helped the royal fungus, for example, to proliferate and wipe out coffee farms all over Central America (Rainforest Alliance, 2023).

In instances where natural control of pest and disease becomes troubling, farmers may be tempted and desperate to fall on chemical control of pests and diseases, however, excessive application will lead to high cost, high risk of food contamination, contamination of water bodies, harming beneficial insects and plants – the overall impact creates a scary environmental threat. In managing pests and diseases in a climate-smart context, farmers needs to be trained on the right time of pest control, right amount of chemicals to be applied when necessary, and the application processes. Pest and disease resistant seeds and cultivars are also very important in a climate-smart agricultural system.

Trashes from weeds must intentionally and meticulously be made to spread on the surface of soil to serve as a cover. Where necessary, trashes may be kept at the bases of crops. This serves many important purposes; conserving moisture, preventing direct sun rays on soil surface and subsequently decompose to serve as organic manure to the soil, improving soil nutrient and structure.

Soil management:This is very crucial in climate-smart agriculture. In fact, soil is a major need in achieving food security. Efforts to improve and protect the soil in this regard is non-negotiable. On a sloppy land, planting soil covers, planting across the slope helps to reduce the effect and impacts of soil erosion. In areas of severe drought, cover crops improves soil moisture and nutrient distribution. Contour planting on hills, terracing are effective means of controlling soil erosion on slopes. Other agronomic techniques such as mulching, application of composts and all practices that enhances soil structure and condition are also necessary to ensuring proper soil management methods.

Soil water conservation approach: A whooping 70 percent of the global freshwater is used for agriculture. This means, a drop of water wasted is a dent on the global food security ambition. Rainfall can be harvested and stored in ponds, containers and underground storages media. Planting of specialized shade trees and grasses like bamboo along the banks of water bodies such as streams, ponds and river bodies helps to retain water for agricultural use, improves aquatic lives and promotes biodiversity.

Preparing and putting soil in a condition to absorb enough runoff is another great means of soil water conservation. In this regard, organic manure and composting helps to improve soil structure, thereby improving soil pores and associated infiltration. On the other hand, climate change can lead to excess water in the soil – frequent rainfall, and frequent flooding are typical causes. The development of trenches, ridges and sometimes, mini gutters helps to drain out soil moisture to put soil in a better condition for farming. This protects crops from diseases and pest associated to excessive soil moisture.

Shade trees cultivation:trees plays important roles in our sustainability efforts in the environment. Trees helps in atmospheric carbon sequestration, they protect our land from losing too much moisture, serve as habitat for beneficial insects and other animals, and also for human benefits. Applying the right number of trees and appropriate species helps control climatic defects in an area and even beyond.

These trees also serve as wind breaks that protects our main crops. However, too much canopies leads to extreme shades which also provide an avenue for pest and disease growth. For example, too much shade in a cocoa farm creates a humid environment in the farm that may lead to conditions favorable for the growth of certain fungi, typically causing the black pod disease. There seems to be a complex situation in this regard, so farmers needs to be trained on the appropriate methods to ensuring shade tree cultivation in our farms so as to avoid the possibility of damaging the potency of the farms.

Climate-smart agriculture is the way to go in an ever rising atmospheric temperature. We need to consciously device and adapt measures to cure climate change at the least opportunity we get. Climate change is real and very denting on our survival on earth.

Source: Ghana Web

As world leaders continue to seek solution to the scale and impact of a change in the global climate pattern, the AritaGlobe Foundation, a non-governmental Organization that seeks to empower deprived communities in Africa to achieve their full potentials is urging presidential aspirants in Ghana and Africa to

prioritize the topic in their campaigns.

This is against the backdrop that Africa has the lowest per capita greenhouse gas emissions in the world, yet one of the hardest hit in terms of the impact of climate change. In Africa, the impact of a change in the climate is telling on almost every sector of the economy. From a decrease in agricultural outcomes as a result of delayed rains, to floods in the cities following long hours of persistent rains, the continent is faced with a continuous threat to lives and properties.

As the 2024 general elections in Ghana draw closer, the AritaGlobe Foundation is seeking to change the status quo by challenging Presidential aspirants to give prominence to the topic during campaigns. The foundation wants them to put before the people, their planned policies on tackling the impacts of climate change.

“Going forward, we believe this should be one of the basis upon which elections are decided by the electorates, Charles Akrofi, Communication Director of the foundation asserted.

According to him “The political season presents us the opportunity to know the minds of the people seeking our mandate to govern us. It’s no gainsaying the fact that our existence as a people is being threatened by these climatic changes. But regrettably, most governments in Africa have failed to prioritize the issue as the continent continues to remain one of the hardest hit in terms of the impacts of climate change. It is about time we demanded to know from the people who are seeking to govern us, what their policies on tackling climate change are.

To achieve these objectives, the foundation has set itself to embark on series of campaigns aimed at conscientising the people on the effects of climate change, the need to adopt some positive life approaches and to demand accountability from government.

“These campaigns are not geared towards antagonizing any elected government, but just so there is a policy to tackling the phenomenon which we as a foundation are ever ready to help the government of the day fine-tune to serve its purpose, Charles Akrofi noted.

Source: Ghana Web

Renowned Broadcaster and host of the Good Morning Ghana programme on Metro TV, Dr Randy Abbey, has asked why the government has been silent on allegations made by the former Minister of Energy, Boakye Agyarko, on the Ameri deal.

Speaking on his programme on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, Dr Abbey wondered why the government has not responded to the serious allegations by a former cabinet minister, who is also a New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential hopeful, which implicate the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

“Mr Boakye Agyarko brings back the Ameri issues by making some serious revelations or allegations against the president, against Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko and the other persons. I’m yet to see or read a response from the government. This is about the second week and we are yet to see a response.

“This was a cabinet minister, in fact, he was the campaign manager for then candidate (Akufo-Addo), he is a senior member of the party (NPP) and in fact, he has been vetted and approved to run as a presidential candidate.

“He is saying these things and he is pointing to the president; he is pointing to others; he is mentioning names. We know the controversy around this whole Ameri deal, the issue of executive approval … corruption, insider dealings and others. Now this person makes all these allegations and it is like nobody wants to speak to it,” he said.

He added that the government’s silence on the former energy minister’s allegation is similar to the illegal mining report by the former Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation which was ignored by President Akufo-Addo for years.

“… What are we expected to take from that. Are we expected to accept that what he said is the truth and we should live with it? Or if he is peddling untruth shouldn’t something be done?” he asked.

What Boakye Agyarko said?

New Patriotic Party Flagbearer hopeful, Boakye Agyarko, reportedly narrated some alleged incidents that transpired during the re-negotiation of the 250 Megawatts Ameri Power Plant when he was the Minister for Energy.

According to a news report by energynewsafrica.com, Boakye Agyarko in an interview on Kumasi-based Asanteman FM, alleged that New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwart, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, re-negotiated the Ameri deal without the consent of the committee set up by the government to work on the deal.

He added that when he confronted Gabby on the matter, he told him to be quiet because President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was already in the know of the steps he (Gabby) had taken.

He narrated that he was on a flight to the United States of America when Gabby called him, lamenting about not being able to reach him.

“I told him I was onboard a flight travelling. Then he (Gabby) told me that he was sending me a document via email so I should check.

“When I arrived safely and went to my hotel room, I opened my email address and saw the document. To my surprise, Gabby had, on the blind side of the Committee set up and approved by the President to renegotiate with Ameri Energy Group, contracted a law firm to engage Ameri Energy Group and completed their negotiation and recommended a certain company to operate the Ameri Power Plant and extended the contract to 20 years.

“I sent Gabby a mail and asked him what authority he had to do that. And I told him Cabinet has given specific instructions to follow and his response was what makes me think that my Boss (President Akufo-Addo) doesn’t know about what he has done…so I kept quiet,” he is quoted to have said by energynewsafrica.com.

The former energy minister said that when he spoke to President Akufo-Addo on the matter, the president asked him whether there was something wrong with what Gabby did.

Boakye Agyarko said that he told the president that, “the authority to renegotiate the terms of the Ameri Power Plant doesn’t lie in the hands of Gabby and that the proposal the firm he contracted made had violated all the Cabinet instructions and extended the contract to 20 years.”

Agyarko added that Akufo-Addo agreed with his reasoning but went ahead and asked him to forward the deal Gabby had negotiated to the committee that was set up to renegotiate the deal.

Source: Ghana Web

The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has taken note of media reports allegedly having to do with an encounter between a GPHA Boat and a fishing boat in the early hours of Thursday, July 27, 2023, resulting in the unfortunate death of two fishermen, and wish to clarify that:

1. There was never a collision between the Security Patrol Boat and any fishing boat whatsoever.

2. That the Port Control Station on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at about 0030HRS received a distress call from MV. SEASPAN DUBAI, for assistance to ward off several fishing boats which had surrounded their vessel. The security patrol team which comprises the Ghana Navy, Marine Police, and GPHA Security timeously responded, cautioned, and asked the said fishing boats to leave.

3. That at 0118HRS MT. MARINA ‘M’ which was also at the anchorage, also called the Port Control Station for assistance to ward off a suspicious-looking fishing boat with about nine occupants. The team again responded by cautioning and directing the boat and its occupants to row out.

4. On their way back, the Patrol Team chanced upon another set of fishermen who had cast their nets and were fishing within the Terminal 3 basin, close to a container vessel. The nets were seized, and the men were cautioned and led out of the basin.

5. All patrol activities were halted at 0455HRS on Thursday, July 27, without any incident of collision whatsoever.

6. A call from the Fishing Harbour Police Unit, announced the discovery of 2 dead bodies, which the fishermen had refused the police team to convey, with the assertion that, the 2 died as a result of a collision with a GPHA tugboat, an outright untruth.

7. That even though the fishermen are aware of the dangers of fishing within the port basin and anchorage, some continue to carry out these illegal activities at the peril of their own lives and that of vessels and cargo.

8. That despite these infractions, on occasions where we arrest fishermen and seize their nets, the Chief Fisherman and Elders are notified, and often the culprits are pardoned, and nets released without any fines.

9. We wish to emphasize that GPHA is a responsible organization involved in search and rescue missions and as such will not abandon victims of a collision even if it involved our own craft.

10. That the Port Authority regrets the unfortunate passing of the 2, and extends its sincere condolences to their families and colleagues.

Source: Ghana Web

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has nominated three new Justices to the Supreme Court, an opposition lawmaker has alleged.

According to South Dayi Member of Parliament, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, he had picked the information from persons he referred to as “impeccable sources at the Presidency.”

He listed the three persons as Henry Kwofie, Adjei Frimpong and Awuah Darko.

The MP’s post read: “My impeccable sources at the Presidency has it that, the President has nominated the following for the Supreme Court: 1. Henry Kwofie 2. Adjei Frimpong 3. Awuah Darko”

GhanaWeb checks show that Henry Kwofie and Adjei Frimpong are currently serving as Justices of the Court of Appeal, the status of Awuah Darko is not yet known to us.

President Akufo-Addo has severally been accused of packing the top court. He is on record to have made one of the highest appointments to the apex court as president.

The president usually submits names of such nominees to Parliament, where the Appointments Committee vets them before approval or otherwise.

The approval of the last three appointees to the position was rancorous as the minority threatened to scuttle the move. The three eventually passed including one who was deemed to be politically exposed.

Read Dafeamekpor’s post below:

My impeccable sources at the Presidency has it that, the President has nominated the following for the Supreme Court:

1. Henry Kwofie

2. Adjei Frimpong

3. Awuah Darko

— Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, Esq. MP. (@etsedafeamekpor) July 26, 2023

Source: Ghana Web