The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ghana

  • Airline to ply Niger, Ghana, Camerooon, Senegal, South Africa, routes

    Airline to ply Niger, Ghana, Camerooon, Senegal, South Africa, routes

    Air Peace flew over 500,000 passengers  in the first year of its operation, its Chairman, Mr Allen Onyema has said.

    This, according to him, is the highest by any new carrier on the domestic scene in recent times.

    In an interview to mark the airline’s first anniversary, he said the firm has got the nod to fly into  Niger, Gabon, Senegal. Gambia, Cameroon, Ghana and South Africa , West and some  Central African countries.

    Onyema said the airline plans to expand into Europe and Asia in a few years. The airline has changed the face of air transportation in the last 24 months, despite the challenges facing the sector, he said.

    To him, many industry players did not give Air Peace the benefit of doubt considering the many hurdles it faced.

    Onyema said the airline has recorded many milestones in the last one year.

    With a modest fleet of seven aircraft at inception, Air Peace, he said, has over 11 airplanes.

    He said: “In the last eleven months, we have air lifted over half a million passengers. This is quite remarkable, not with 20 aircraft but with just five of our seven aircraft.

    “Within the same period the government has called on Air Peace to undertake the development of a new route – Kebbi International Airport. This has never happened with a new airline before.

    “This is the first time a new airline, less than two months into its operations, was signed by a state government to develop a new route.

    “We have showed strength and capacity from day one of our operations. We have zeal towards doing the right thing.”

    Air Peace expansion plan is in place. It started with five routes and has increased its flight frequency. After two months, it added two aircraft to its fleet. Eight months into its operations, it added two more to bring its fleet to 11.

    We have maintained commonality of fleet to ensure that all our aircraft is Boeing aircraft for many operational benefits .

    We have invested heavily in the maintenance of our aircraft to ensure safety.

    Air Peace he said has invested much in the maintenance of its aircraft to ensure  zero tolerance for unsafe practices .

    He  spoke on plans by the airline to expand :” The Federal Government has approved Air Peace to fly into new routes out of Nigeria . This was achieved under seven months of our existence as an airline.

    “This is  because we have proven our mettle . We have a solid team . In the coming months we will commence operations in the African region . Next year plan to operate into Asia, Europe .

    “The Federal government has give us  permission  to go fly to Niger , Cote D’ Ivoire , Gabon , Ghana , Senegal  ,Cameroon and we are planning to hit South Africa and Congo.

    “In the long term we are looking at Europe and Asia .

    “We believe when the time comes government should allow us to fly into these routes because it will bring revenue to the country .

    It will stop capital flight into this country being exploited by foreign carriers .”

    He said the airline is already working on its international certification through training programme organized by the International Air Transport Association ( IATA) operations and safety audit programme .

    He assured that Air Peace will get the certification by the first quarter of next year .”

    He said there is need for operators to speak in one voice to advance the cause of the sector , even as he said there is urgent need fir government to rework existing policies .

    He said :” You and I may not have the ears of government, but I have discovered that some many people who advise government on aviation do not have business doing so because as stakeholders they do not get it right in their advice to government .

    “If we do not get it , every thing will go down . Nigeria has had over 60 airlines , only five or six are operating is is not complimentary , but why  do these airlines go under ?

    “Some of the reasons  could be traced to the owners of the airline. But, majority of the reasons should be traced to government policies over time.

    “A lot of  experts in the sector offer  advice  to government based on primordial sentiments .

    “This is not good for the growth and development of the aviation sector .

    “Government needs to reconsider the 22 years age limit or ban on aircraft operating in the country . This and other policies needs to be reconsidered.”

     

  • Nigeria, Ghana back $185m gas pipeline debt settlement

    The Nigerian and Ghanaian governments have supported amicable resolution of the $185 million owed the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo) and gas suppliers by the Volta River Authority’s (VRA) of Ghana.

    The West African Gas Pipeline Company limited (WAPCo) is a limited liability company, which owns and operates the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP). WAPCo is a joint venture between public and private sector companies from Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana with a mandate to transport natural gas from Nigeria to customers in Benin, Togo and Ghana in a safe, responsible and reliable manner, at prices competitive with other fuel alternatives.

    The WAPCo Managing Director, Mr. Walter Perez, had told reporters that owing to the huge debt, gas delivery to VRA would be curtailed. The cut in gas supply to VRA, it was learnt, would negatively affect electricity supply to Ghana; hence the governments of the two countries have intervened to ensure that such action is not implemented.

    Currently, VRA and its gas shipper, N-Gas (a joint venture company owned by NNPC, Shell and Chevron that delivers gas through the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAGPCo) to Ghana), are in discussion, with the support of governments of the two countries. The outcome of the discussion would determine if WAPCo and N-Gas would go ahead with the plan to curtail gas supply to VRA.

    Perez said: “Since August 2014, VRA has received natural gas and pipeline-related transportation services totaling USD 231 million through the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP). As of today, VRA has paid only USD 46 million of this amount. Of the outstanding balance of USD 185 million, VRA owes USD 109 million to WAPCo with the balance being owed to the other parties in the gas supply chain.

    “ WAPCo has regularly engaged VRA, the Ghana Public Utilities and Regulatory Commission (PURC), the relevant ministries, and even the highest level of the government to find a solution to this situation before it reached crisis level.  Unfortunately, these efforts have not achieved the desired result.

    “Just one month ago, WAPCo received a formal notification from VRA’s gas shipper, N-Gas, that deliveries to VRA should be curtailed effective 16 October 2015.  In doing so, N-Gas informed WAPCo of the intent of one of its major gas suppliers, Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC), to curtail gas supply as a result of N-Gas being in payment default due to the inability of VRA to settle its gas supply and gas transportation invoices.”

    He continued:“We are very certain those in positions of authority in Ghana are fully aware of this information, and we are hopeful they are taking appropriate action to prevent curtailment.  Otherwise, WAPCo is contractually obligated to curtail deliveries to VRA as of 00:00 hours on Friday, 16 October 2015.

    “WAPCo management is keenly aware and sensitive to the effect that this directive from N-Gas could have on power generation in Ghana. We find it unfortunate that the VRA debt situation has been allowed to deteriorate to the point where it now jeopardizes WAPCo’s very existence as a company, and in doing so, it also jeopardizes the only viable option of providing sufficient on-time offtake assurance for Ghana’s TEN and Sankofa developments.

    “I’d like to emphasize that we remain hopeful in spite of the current crisis as we believe the WAGP remains critical energy infrastructure for Ghana.  Further, we are firm in our belief the WAGP is vital to the on-time and lowest-cost delivery of Ghana’s indigenous natural gas resources. To that end, WAPCo will continue to dialogue with the relevant authorities and trust that WAPCo, a company in which Ghana owns significant shares, will not be allowed to go under.”

    NNPC spokesman, Ohi Alegbe, however, said the Federal Government has reached an agreement with Ghana on the modalities to settle the outstanding N33.8bn owed by the Volta River Authority (VRA) on gas supplied for power generation by a Nigerian company, N-Gaz. The highlight of the agreement is that the total sum of gas supply debt will be cleared by February 2016 at the latest, he added.

    Alegbe said the agreement was reached between a team led by the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, and the President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, noting that VRA will pay the balance of August and September invoices by October 31 at the latest.

  • Nigeria, Ghana to settle $185m gas pipeline debt dispute

    The Nigerian and Ghanaian governments have supported amicable resolution of the $185 million owed the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo) and gas suppliers by the Volta River Authority’s (VRA) of Ghana.

    The West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo) is a limited liability company, which owns and operates the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP). WAPCo is a joint venture between public and private sector companies from Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana with a mandate to transport natural gas from Nigeria to customers in Benin, Togo and Ghana in a safe, responsible and reliable manner, at prices competitive with other fuel alternatives.

    The WAPCo Managing Director, Mr. Walter Perez, had told reporters that owing to the huge debt, gas delivery to VRA would be curtailed. The cut in gas supply to VRA, it was learnt, would negatively affect electricity supply to Ghana; hence the governments of the two countries have intervened to ensure that such action is not implemented.

    Currently, VRA and its gas shipper, N-Gas (a joint venture company owned by NNPC, Shell and Chevron that delivers gas through the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAGPCo) to Ghana), are in discussion, with the support of governments of the two countries. The outcome of the discussion would determine if WAPCo and N-Gas would go ahead with the plan to curtail gas supply to VRA.

    Perez said: “Since August 2014, VRA has received natural gas and pipeline-related transportation services totaling $231 million through the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP). As of today, VRA has paid only $46 million of this amount. Of the outstanding balance of $185 million, VRA owes $109 million to WAPCo with the balance being owed to the other parties in the gas supply chain.

    “ WAPCo has regularly engaged VRA, the Ghana Public Utilities and Regulatory Commission (PURC), the relevant ministries, and even the highest level of the government to find a solution to this situation before it reached crisis level.  Unfortunately, these efforts have not achieved the desired result.

    “Just one month ago, WAPCo received a formal notification from VRA’s gas shipper, N-Gas, that deliveries to VRA should be curtailed effective 16 October 2015.  In doing so, N-Gas informed WAPCo of the intent of one of its major gas suppliers, Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC), to curtail gas supply as a result of N-Gas being in payment default due to the inability of VRA to settle its gas supply and gas transportation invoices.”

    He continued:“We are very certain those in positions of authority in Ghana are fully aware of this information, and we are hopeful they are taking appropriate action to prevent curtailment.  Otherwise, WAPCo is contractually obligated to curtail deliveries to VRA.

    “WAPCo management is keenly aware and sensitive to the effect that this directive from N-Gas could have on power generation in Ghana.”

  • Ghana shows the way

    Ghana shows the way

    •Nigeria should follow; and do whatever it takes to rid the judiciary of
    corrupt judges and other elements

    Ghana, that relatively smaller neighbour, appears to have a better handle on the fight against corruption than Nigeria. The most recent example, is the suspension of seven, out of 12 High Court Judges, following a documentary by a journalist, showing intermediaries, accepting bribes on behalf of the judges.

    Said the Ghana Judicial Council, according to news reports: “The Judges’ suspension follow the establishment of a prima facie case of stated misbehaviour against them by Honourable Lady Chief Justice (Wood)”. Not long ago, a minister was sacked by the Ghanaian President, when she was caught on tape boasting of her intention to corruptly enrich herself.

    In Nigeria, many glaring cases of stupendous corrupt enrichment, by public officials, have been languishing in the courts. Specifically, some judges who were indicted, over allegations of corruption, got mere slaps on their wrist. Not long ago, a judge who was indicted for corrupt practices, ran home, to become a top traditional ruler.  Another, who gave a well-heeled defendant a ridiculous sentence for grievous financial crimes, got a mild indictment. In some cases, allegations of corruption against judges in Nigeria end up in a haze of litigations, despite the enormous powers of the National Judicial Council (NJC)

    So, the suspension of the seven judges in Ghana have been particularly interesting, and is worthy of emulation by Nigeria, perennially plagued by corruption in high places. There, the investigative journalist who covertly filmed the alleged agents, accepting bribe on behalf of the seven judges, released the video to the world. Following a public outcry, after the three-hour video was aired on television, the judicial council first suspended the 22 junior judges, who appeared in the video, before proceeding to investigate the seven senior judges, who have now been suspended.

    Depressingly enough, Nigeria’s National Judicial Council (NJC) appears to have made whistle-blowing against corrupt judges even more strenuous. While we do not advocate unfair and unfounded allegations against judges, or any form of victimisation, we think that NJC should encourage any person, who has any serious allegation, to forward same, without undergoing any rigorous procedure. The rigour should apply to the investigation of the allegation.  For that, the council could train a crop of investigators from security agencies, to always expeditiously conduct the investigations, without tainting the officials, unless a prima facie case is established.

    Luckily, the fight against corruption is a major agenda of the Muhamadu Buhari administration. So, if NJC decides to imitate its neighbour in Ghana, it should have an ally in the executive branch. We believe the council should have no hesitation to rein in corruption in the judiciary. As we have argued severally on this page, corruption is at the root of nearly all the major national challenges. These include the challenges of infrastructure, arising substantially from misappropriation of budgetary allocations over the years. The same cause is applicable to challenges of insecurity, unemployment, high illiteracy and many others.

    Even the war against corruption by the present administration would be dead, before long, if corruption remains endemic in the judiciary. Because over the years, politically exposed persons have abused the judicial process to their own gain, the judiciary labours under some integrity crisis.  This is not good at all. So, a radical approach is required.

    We commend the Ghana press for its robust reportage that helped to blow the judges’ cover.  But we call on the Nigerian media to do its own bit too, to expose corrupt judges here.  So should the Nigerian civil society.

    Beyond all that, however, Nigerians must rally in support of the war against corruption; and shun the current plague of ethnicizing cases of sleaze and graft.

    A corrupt judiciary is the worst plague that can befall any nation.  It should be weeded out, with the support of all.

     

  • Buhari visits Ghana on Monday

    President Muhammadu Buhari will on Monday pay a one-day official visit to Accra, the Ghanaian capital.
    During the visit, President Buhari, according to a statement by Presidential Spokesman, Femi Adesina, will confer with his Ghanaian counterpart, President John Dramani Mahama on bilateral relations, regional security, trade and other issues of common interest to Nigeria, Ghana and other members of the Economic Community of West African States.
    The President is also expected to meet with members of the Nigerian community in Ghana and entrepreneurs before returning to Abuja on Monday evening.
    He will be accompanied to Accra by the National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.) and the Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Justice and Industry, Trade and Investment.

  • Ghana edge Rwanda with late free kick

    Ghana edge Rwanda with late free kick

    MUBARAK Wakaso curled in a free-kick late on to give Ghana a deserved 1-0 win over Rwanda in their 2017 AFCON qualifier.

    The victory ensured the Black Stars took firm charge of Group H with six points from the available six.

    It was sweet revenge for Ghana who lost to the Amavubi Stars by the same at the same venue 12 years ago to miss out on the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations.

    Aside the late winner from the new Las Palmas signing, the majority talking point was about the horrendous pitch which made ball control difficult for both teams.

    The ‘potato’ pitch made robbed the match of any highlight Ghana were missing their danger man and most prolific player Asamoah Gyan who failed to win the fitness battle after suffering a knee injury in theHead coach Avram Grant decided to start on-loan Roda JC Kerkrade striker Richmond Boakye-Yiadom in the absence of the Shanghai SIPG arrowhead.

    Boakye lacked services and was later withdrawn by Solomon Asante who had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring but shockingly shot wide from inside the box.

    The TP Mazembe man was invited into the box by a Jordan Ayew pass which took the Rwanda defenders out of the equation.

    The Black Stars looked solid at the back and were up to the task to neutralize Ernest Sugira, Jacques Tuyisenge and Jean Claude Iranzi.

    Also, Rwanda right-back Michel Rusheshangoga was able to deal with in-form Andre Ayew, who is in top form for his English Premier League side Swansea City.The second half lacked a clear-cut pattern as the pitch made it impossible to zip the ball around.

  • Candel to commence agrochemicals export to Ghana

    Nigeria’s leading agricultural inputs development and distribution company, Candel Company Limited, is set to start the export of made in Nigeria Agrochemical products from its integrated manufacturing facility at the Lekki Free Zone, Lagos.

    The Chairman, Candel Group, Mr. Charles Anudu disclosed this during a statutory plant inspection and assessment of the Candel FZE Plant by the Environmental Protection Agency of Ghana as part of the requirements by the regulatory body to ensure compliance with global environmental and quality standards.

    Anudu revealed that the plant, which was inaugurated barely three months ago, has the capacity to export crop protection chemicals and foliar fertilizers to Ghana. The other African markets will follow shortly in line with the vision of the company as an international agro-input company with deep Nigerian roots.

    ”As a company, we have been operating in Ghana for about 15 years, trading in Agrochemical products made for us in Asia and Europe, but now we want to export our made-in-Nigeria products, which are made with the context of the West African farmer as the focus. We will supply our own distribution network as well as private label customers in that market,’’ he said.

    Assuring the visiting regulatory agency of the quality of Candel Agrochemical Products, Anudu said quality is of utmost importance to the company. ‘’We ensure that the quality of the chemical content in our bottle is exactly as written on the label. Our approach to quality is a holistic one which includes the quality of the content as well as the packaging,’’ he said.

    In his remarks, the Managing Director, Candel Company Limited, Mr. Emmanuel Kattie, said the company’s innovative Research & Development unit is working to improve product formulation to suite local needs. An example is foliar fertilizer for Cocoa, which both feeds the cocoa crop while protecting its pods from the dreaded Black Pod disease.

    Kattie said through the company’s R&D effort, The Candel Company Limited has a new Maize herbicide that does not contain Atrazine thereby resolving the underground water problems associated with this active ingredient.

    Speaking shortly after the plant inspection, the Head, Chemical Control & Management Centre of EPA, Ghana, Dr. SamAdu-Kumi, applauded the factory initiative by Candel, which he believed would set a good foundation not only for the nation’s economy, but the whole West African sub region.

    ‘’Most of the Agrochemical products that come into our country are substandard. In our sub-region, we only have one factory. Candel’s plant and standards are a welcome development that would help boost the economy of Nigeria and trickle down to other West African countries,” he said.

    Adu-Kumi commended the management of The Candel Company Limited for carrying out due diligence of environmental impact assessment and investing in innovative product packaging process that will prevent leakages and counterfeiting.

    Commenting on the relationship among EPA, Ghana and Nigeria’s regulatory body such as NAFDAC, the Deputy Director, Field Operations, EPA, Ghana, Mr. John Pwamang said plans were at an advanced stage to harmonise the regulatory system for the whole ECOWAS sub-region to facilitate the regional ambition of Candel.

  • Bolaji Rosiji takes Gaurapad to Ghana

    Bolaji Rosiji takes Gaurapad to Ghana

    In a bid to extend his philanthropic gesture to other parts of Africa, former president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Bolaji Rosiji, has established a branch of the popular Gaurapad Charities in Accra, Ghana.

    At a well-attended ceremony anchored by Ghanaian actor and on-air personality, Chris Attoh at the center, located at Number 28 Adjiringanor Road, East Legon, Accra, Rosiji, founder of Gaurapad, announced the grand entry of the NGO into the league of multinationals that are positively affecting the lives of many.

    He said the outfit has a mission to empower people financially and to liberate others afflicted with various health problems.

    The company offers unique transdermal patch products which are effective for various health problems, and has over 60,000 members on its platform.

    Special guest of honour at the event, Mr. Rasheed Pelpuo, Honorable Minister of Private & Public sector of the Republic of Ghana expressed his profound gratitude to Gaurapad Charities for extending its work and services to the people of Ghana.

    He said: “I am willing bring the force of the Government of Ghana to bear on the activities of this NGO in order to forge a partnership to provide free health care, empower people and create entrepreneurs.”

    Bolaji stressed that Gaurapad Charities is in Ghana to create a revolution in the financial empowerment of people on its platform and to assist them to take full responsibility of their financial situation.

    According to him, “Most people struggle to get the next meal or to pay the next rent…but it is your responsibility to live well and to educate your children in the best schools. And at the end of the day, it is a responsibility to bless others with the money you make.”

    Also speaking at the launch, the Director of Operations, Mrs. Nike Denis stressed that Gaurapad Charities is an NGO that does “everything to perfection, everything in excellence and everything in excess; every good thing”. “Poverty and diseases are menacingly democratic – they know no boundaries and may not be respecter of persons. Even the wealthiest nations still have poor people among their ranks. Gaurapad Charities has vowed to expand its frontiers to bring financial and physical liberation to people by opening more branches worldwide.”

    She introduced Mr. Victor Udom as the location manager and Dr. Jones Gyedu, a graduate of the University of Ghana Medical School, as the Associate Doctor who will pioneer the delivery of free health care within Accra.

  • Nigeria takes over airspace from Ghana, 70 years after

    Nigeria takes over airspace from Ghana, 70 years after

    President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the immediate takeover of the management of the country’s airspace from Ghana, which has held the job for the past 70 years.

    With the order, Nigeria would manage its skies over the Gulf of Guinea.

    Aviation officials told journalists after a meeting with Buhari that Nigeria’s airspace was safe.

    They stated that other neighbouring countries were also making arrangements to take over their airspaces from Ghana.

    The Permanent Secretary for the Aviation Ministry, Binta Bello, said in Abuja: “We have a directive by the president to start the process of securing the management of Nigerian airspace over the Gulf of Guinea, which Ghana has been maintaining since 1945 and there is a move on the ground by Togo and Republic of Benin to take over the management of their own airspace from Ghana.”

  • Lawyer condemns killing of Nigerian woman in Ghana

    A Lagos-based legal practitioner, Chief Kofi Atiemo-Gyan, has condemned the killing of a Nigerian woman, Aminat Usman, for alleged rituals in Ghana.

    Media reports on  Amina’s death suggested that  she was hacked to death by her  neighbour, Abdul, who offered to ferry her to a hospital to deliver her baby on July 13, 2015.

    Her body was found without the breasts and private part.

    Gyan,patron of the Ghanaian community in Nigeria, called for a stop to such  killings in Africa.

    “How can people be so barbaric  and cruel to the extent of killing their fellow human being for money making rituals?” Gyan told The Nation in Lagos.

    He asked  African leaders to establishing civic centres to educate the people  on the need to avoid killing people for money ritual and, instead encourage hard work, education and proper planning of their life.

    He added: “our people should be made to understand that whatever wealth they get in life, they have to work hard for it and not by any other magic which they wrongly believed.”

    Gyan tasked religious leaders in Africa to be circumspect in their approach to generating money for their religious organizations.

    He said: “The new generation of religious leaders are part of the problems the African societies are facing through their false preaching. Unfortunately, the religion leaders we have today don’t ask their members how they suddenly got their wealth, provided they can donate money to the church or mosque and pay their tithes and sakat.

    “The religious leaders are creating the impression through their preaching that if one commits murder and comes to a worship centre and pray for forgiveness, his sins would be forgiven. On the contrary, the Bible and the Quran which the religious leaders rely upon admonish  us to do unto others what we want for ourselves.”

    He urged African leaders to rule properly and use the wealth of their nations to fight poverty, while the law enforcement agencies should step up their vigilance against criminals in the society.