Nigerian Pirates Seize Ghanaian Captain

Pirates have demanded a one-and-half-million dollar ransom for two sailors they seized at the weekend off the coast of Cameroon but close to Nigeria, a Nigerian navy officer said on Tuesday.

A Ghanaian captain and his Cameroonian engineer were attacked on Saturday off the restive Bakassi peninsula and taken from their vessel, Nigerian Navy spokesman commodore David Nabaida told AFP.

The yet-unidentified pirates "have asked for a ransom of 1.5 million dollars (1.1 million euros)," said Nabaida, adding the seamen are being held in Abana. Abana, a major town in oil-rich Bakassi peninsula, was part of Nigeria before the territory was ceded to Cameroon.

"MV Seagull was coming from Cameroon when it was attacked very close to Bakassi peninsula in the Cameroonian waters," he said.



"They (the pirates) didn't find anything valuable to steal, so they took the captain and the engineer off the ship," added Nabaida.

The ship, which is believed to be used for general trading along the west coast of Africa, has been towed to Nigeria's southern coastal city of Calabar, capital of Cross River State.

Seven Chinese fishermen were this month freed by an armed gang in Cameroon's southwest Bakassi region after a six-day hostage ordeal.

Several groups, mostly armed, are active in the Bakassi peninsula, which was handed over to Cameroon by Nigeria in August 2008 under an international court settlement of a border dispute between Douala and Abuja.

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) identified Africa as a piracy hotspot following an increase in attacks in 2008, with Somali and Nigerian waters the most dangerous for seafarers.
Source:AFP
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India celebrates ITEC day in Accra

The High Commission of India in Accra has formally celebrated the Indian Technical and Economic Corporation program (ITEC) day over the weekends at the residence of the High Commissioner in Accra.

The program was launched by the Government of India on September 15^th, 1964 as a bilateral program to assist developing countries like Ghana.

Speaking at the event, India High Commissioner to Ghana said, ITEC program has really benefited thousands of students and professionals from Africa including Ghana. Her Excellency Ruchi Ghanashyam said “Government of India bears the entire cost of the program and since its inception in 1964, spends over Rs 500million annually on ITEC activities and provided technical assistance of more than $2billion to developing countries”.

Since the commencement of the program, over 1100 Ghanaian students and professionals have been trained in India. They have also benefitted from other existing schemes such as annual scholarships awarded by Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) to Ghanaian students to pursue undergraduate/post graduate and higher courses in India such as United Nation Peacekeeping courses, professional courses for Foreign Diplomats and ‘Know India Programme’ for Ghanaian Citizens of India origin among others.

Her Excellency Ghanashyam further reiterated that, India’s initiatives such as “Focus Africa Policy”, TEAM-9 and ITEC have strengthened cooperation between the two countries which today extends to key sectors of agriculture, rural electrification, infrastructure and human resource development.

“I commend the two personnel from the Ghana Narcotic Control Board who have returned to Ghana with their two Indian dogs, Sunny and Fame after receiving training in narcotic dog training course at the National Training Centre for Dogs, Border Security Force Academy in Tekanpur, Madhya Pradesh, India.” She said this training will help the Government of Ghana fight vigorously against narcotic trafficking in the country.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional integration of Ghana, Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni commended the high Commission and the people of India for the long fruitful relationship between the two countries. He also commended the Indian Government as a whole in offering great assistance to Africans especially Ghanaians in diverse fields of human development which has contributed positively to the Ghanaian economy. “I pledge Governments total support to these programs anytime the need arises”.

Source: Michael Amedor

Passion for Needy pays tribute to the recent past commanding officer of Nsawam prison

Passion for Needy, a local Non Governmental Organization (NGO) has paid tribute in memory of the recent past Commanding Officer of the Nsawam medium prisons, DDP Alexander Ansong-Agyepong.

This was at a short ceremony during which the organization took the opportunity to donate items worth GH¢1,201 to the inmates of both the male and female prisons at Nsawam.

Mrs. Janet Torgbor El-Aschker, chairperson of Passion for Needy said that the news of the incidence came as a shock to the organization members. She lamented that the nation cannot continue to loose the needed human resource through road accident.

Finally, she appealed to drivers to ensure safety on our roads since nothing can replace human life.

Superintendent of Prisons, Richmond Adiaba who received the items on behalf of the inmates, thanked the NGO for their continuous

Some items donated included, washing powder and soap, ladies under wears and pressing iron.

Source: Isaac Ametepe

Ghana and Germany Joining Forces to Promote the Agric Sector

The Government of Ghana and KfW, the German Development Bank acting on behalf of the German Government signed on Monday a loan and financing agreement for a 10.0 million Euros loan and a 1.0 million Euros grant for the establishment of an “Outgrower and Value Chain Fund” (OVCF).

The Agreement was jointly signed by Honorable Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning and Dr. Klaus Mueller, KfW First Vice President in the presence of Mrs. Harriet Ludwig (Head of Cooperation at the German Embassy), Mr. Martin Mueller (GTZ Director West Africa and Pan-African Programmes), Dr. Helmut Schoen (KfW Country Director, Accra), and Mr. Fred Brandl (GTZ Country Director, Accra).

The ceremony was attended by Hon E. T Mensah (Minister, Employment and Social Welfare), Mr. Okyere-Nyako (MoFEP Director Bilateral) and other officials from MoFEP.

Agriculture is one of the three focal sectors of German Development Cooperation with the overall goal to improve the income of the rural population by supporting value chain approaches and strengthening small scale commercial farmers.

Access to finance is a major problem for the development of the agricultural sector. This problem is specifically addressed by the Outgrower and Value Chain Fund which will provide improved access to medium to long term financing of investments by small scale farmers and will contribute to the development of outgrower schemes and the integration of small holder farmers into market oriented agricultural development.

To further underline the importance of the agricultural sector for Ghana the German Government announced on the same day the new commitment of an amount of 3 Mio. € for technical assistance for this sector. This is additional to the 130 Mio. € envelope already committed to Ghana in December 2009.

The visit of two high ranking officials from the Headquarters of two of the major implementing agencies of Germany’s support - from KfW Development Bank and GTZ -demonstrate the joint approach in the sector.

The Government of Ghana and KfW, the German Development Bank acting on behalf of the German Government signed on Monday a loan and financing agreement for a 10.0 million Euros loan and a 1.0 million Euros grant for the establishment of an “Outgrower and Value Chain Fund” (OVCF).

The Agreement was jointly signed by Honorable Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning and Dr. Klaus Mueller, KfW First Vice President in the presence of Mrs. Harriet Ludwig (Head of Cooperation at the German Embassy), Mr. Martin Mueller (GTZ Director West Africa and Pan-African Programmes), Dr. Helmut Schoen (KfW Country Director, Accra), and Mr. Fred Brandl (GTZ Country Director, Accra).

The ceremony was attended by Hon E. T Mensah (Minister, Employment and Social Welfare), Mr. Okyere-Nyako (MoFEP Director Bilateral) and other officials from MoFEP.

Agriculture is one of the three focal sectors of German Development Cooperation with the overall goal to improve the income of the rural population by supporting value chain approaches and strengthening small scale commercial farmers.

Access to finance is a major problem for the development of the agricultural sector. This problem is specifically addressed by the Outgrower and Value Chain Fund which will provide improved access to medium to long term financing of investments by small scale farmers and will contribute to the development of outgrower schemes and the integration of small holder farmers into market oriented agricultural development.

To further underline the importance of the agricultural sector for Ghana the German Government announced on the same day the new commitment of an amount of 3 Mio. € for technical assistance for this sector. This is additional to the 130 Mio. € envelope already committed to Ghana in December 2009.

The visit of two high ranking officials from the Headquarters of two of the major implementing agencies of Germany’s support - from KfW Development Bank and GTZ -demonstrate the joint approach in the sector.

PR Section/ German Embassy,Accra

Silverbird Watch & Fly Promotion Flies Vera Armah to Kenya

“This must be a joke; you don’t mean I’m going on a trip to Nairobi with my partner this Easter holiday, for just shopping at the Silverbird Lifestyle stores?” Vera Armah, winner of the month long Silverbird Watch & Fly Promotion asked, when she was called on the phone by officials of Silverbird and Kenya Airways in the presence of the press and other shoppers with the good news after the grand draw today at the Silverbird Lifestyle Store.

The watch & Fly Promotion was organised by Silverbird in collaboration with Kenya Airways to reward loyal customers of both companies. The lucky winner and her partner will go to Nairobi on a pleasure trip with Kenya Airways. Vera and her partner will have the unique opportunity to experience Silverbird in Kenya and also go on a Safari at the Nairobi National Park which is home to beautiful African animals.

General Manager Albert Mensah said, “We are delighted that we bring so much joy to our customers. Silverbird is all about entertainment and total entertainment means enjoying exotic and out-of-the-ordinary experiences such going on a trip to interesting places. This is what we have done. We just gave out a car to a lucky customer to commemorate our first year anniversary in Ghana. There is more to come in the basket because for Silverbird, the limit is not yet defined”.

Launched in February 2010, customers had the opportunity to enter the Silverbird ‘Watch & Fly Promo’ by only spending Thirty Ghana Cedis (GHC30) or more at the Silverbird Cinemas or at the Silverbird Lifestyle Store. Vera Armah, the lucky winner spent Eighty-eight Ghana Cedis, Fifty Pesewas (GHC88.50) at the Lifestyle Stores and will fly to Kenya for the fun-packed all-expense paid trip.

Kenya Airways is one of the leading and most respected airlines in Africa; flying to the most popular, leisure and business cities in Africa and the world. Silverbird Entertainment Ghana Limited a joint venture between the Silverbird Group and Global Media Alliance (GMA) and is one of the leading entertainment companies in Africa with major holdings in major cities in Africa. The Silverbird Group boasts of excellent locations in Kenya with 18 screens at five premier shopping centers.

Source : Brooke Nuwati

Bench Warrant for Anane, Others If…

The prosecution in the case in which the former Road Transport Minister, Mr Richard Anane, and three others are accused of causing financial loss to the state may request the Fast Track High Court to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of three of the accused persons if they fail to appear before the court today.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Ms Gertrude Aikins, made the prosecution’s intent known following the inability of Dr Anane, Mr Kwadwo Mpiani, a former Chief Of Staff, and Dr Anthony Akoto Osei, a former Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, to appear before the court yesterday.

The fourth accused person, Sammy Crabbe, a former Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), was, however, present in court with his lawyers.

The four are expected to be charged with stealing, causing financial loss to the state and fraud regarding the roles they played in the formation of Ghana International Airlines (GIA) and the subsequent liquidation of Ghana Airways.

When the matter was called around 9.15am, only Crabbe stood up when his name was called, prompting the trial judge to enquire of the whereabouts of the other accused persons from the prosecution, but Ms Aikins could not explain their absence and further indicated that the three had been duly informed that they were expected to appear before court yesterday.

Counsel for Crabbe, Mr Kwame Boateng, said he and his client did not know which specific court was scheduled to hear the case and for that reason, they had to roam from one court to another before they finally got to know that the matter was before Mr Justice Bright Mensah.
Replying, Ms. Aikins reminded counsel that the matter was a serious one, especially when the accused persons had duly been informed about the court, which was billed to hear the matter.

According to the state, Dr. Anane allegedly misrepresented facts on GIA, which was then not in existence, to Cabinet and misled the then government to pay shares into a fraudulent company.

His action, according to the state, also led to the liquidation of Ghana Airways. Dr. Osei allegedly signed a loan agreement committing the government to a financial obligation of paying GH¢15 million to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT). The SSNIT gave the said amount to the GIA as a loan, without parliamentary approval and at a time when the minority shareholders of the airline had abandoned the company.

Mr Mpiani is alleged to have authorized the release of funds into the GIA, without parliamentary approval. According to the prosecution, which is yet to read the facts of the case to the court, Crabbe, who represented minority shareholders in the company, on June 27, 2005 withdrew $1.9 million from the government of Ghana’s account, without approval from the government (majority shareholder).

It said Dr Anane declared that four companies had expressed interest in the then Ghana Airways and later presented a letter of intent which was signed between the government of Ghana and the GIA to form a new company called the New Ghana Airways (NGA), although the GIA was at that time not in existence.

It said although Prince WaterhouseCoopers had rated the NGA, which had signed an agreement with the government to form the GIA, third beneath KLM and Ghanaair, two companies which had also bid for Ghana Airways, the NGA won the bid.

It said although the memorandum Dr Anane presented to Cabinet to sign was dated September 9, 2004, the GIA was not in existence as of September 9, 2004. It said GIA-USA-LLC was formed in Utah, USA, on September 10, 2004 and further pointed out that Dr Anane misrepresented those facts to Cabinet and fraudulently misled it to pay for shares into a fraudulent company.

According to the state, Mr Mpiani, on June 2, 2005, wrote to the chairman of the government task force on Ghana Airways Limited authorizing the task force to take all necessary steps to put the airline into formal liquidation. The GIA was subsequently formed as a joint venture between the government of Ghana and had its maiden flight on October 29, 2005.

Source: Daily Graphic/Ghana

Government Absorbs Fuel Increase For 2 Weeks

The government has decided to absorb the expected increase in fuel prices in the country for the next two weeks. Government subsidy on fuel between March 16 and April 15, this year amounts to GH¢12million,according to the acting Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mr. Alex Kofi Mensah Mould. He told the Daily Graphic yesterday that the government decided to absorb the expected increase when the NPA informed it of the rise in the price of oil by 10 per cent since October last year. “There is not going to be any increase in fuel prices. The government has decided to absorb the fuel price,” Mr. Mould said. He said the price of oil hovered between $75 and $80 per barrel. He said the NPA was still monitoring the market and indicated that if the increase was temporary, the NPA would not recommend any increases in the prices of fuel. He explained that that was to curtail any increases in transportation fares, since transport owners increased transport fares whenever fuel prices were increased but refused to reduce the fares if fuel prices went down. Mr. Mould said if the price of oil hit above $80 per barrel or the increases in fuel prices remained permanent, the NPA would recommend an increase in fuel prices. In the same way, he said, if the price of oil went down to between $65 and $70, the NPA would recommend a reduction in fuel prices. He said the government was sensitive to the effect of fuel prices on consumers. Mr. Mould said the NPA had held a stakeholders meeting with the Ministry of Information, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU and the Ghana Transport Association on how to protect consumers. Source: Daily Graphic