This was one of the key recommendations of the regional experts at their week-long meeting that ended in Praia, Cape Verde on May 14, 2012, an ECOWAS statement said.

The meeting examined various national investment laws and policies and agreed a template to provide standard background and understanding of country policies.

According to ECOWAS, a comparative analysis of country reports showed that similarities in Member States’ investment policies exceeded 70%, while differences relate to details and structures of the respective policies in relation to the 10 Investment Policy Frameworks identified.

The meeting also noted remarkable divergences in human resource development policies and financial markets liberalization, particularly pertaining to freedom in capital movement in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) area.

The West African bloc expects the experts to adopt national reports on Member States’ investment policies, to be used as a point of reference for the ECOWAS Investment Policy Framework, which will provide the basis for drafting the ECOWAS Common Investment Policy. This will be based on the results obtained from the analysis, it said.—Ghanabusinessnews

Dr. Kwabena Duffour, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning

—IPAC report

The Public Interest and Accountability Committee has given indications that government was over ambitious and overestimated its revenue expectations from the nation’s petroleum revenue for 2011.

This was contained in its first annual report on how Ghana’s revenue was managed in the year 2011. The report also cited some loopholes in collection of the Revenue Fund where it indicated that “in terms of loyalty, carried interest, corporate tax and surface rentals among others, not all payments expected from the oil wealth went into the Revenue Fund.”

These were revealed at the presentation of the official report of the management of the nation’s Petroleum Revenue for the year 2011.
The Committee which was established in April 2011 under the Petroleum Management Act 815 in its report highlighted some thematic areas including the Annual Budget, Stabilization and the Heritage Fund.

According to the report findings, Ghana lifted a total quantity of three million, nine hundred and thirty point one eighty nine (3,931.89) barrels which represented 16 percent instead of the projected 18 percent.

Additionally, the report discovered that government estimated one billion two hundred and fifty million Ghana cedis (1,250,000) for the year 2011 but the actual turnout was six hundred and sixty six point two million cedis.

It also indicated that there were inconsistencies within the law which led to the implementation of the Petroleum Revenue Management Act 2011, (Act 815).

Chairman of the Public Interest and Accountability Committee, Major Retired Daniel Abloh Quacoo, presented the report at a news conference in Accra.

As part of its recommendations, the committee admonished the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to go by the methodology spelt out in the bench marks as required by Petroleum Revenue Management Act 815.

It also impressed upon government to expedite action on the processes needed for the development of a nationally owned long-term development plan in line with the provision of Act 815.

The report further asked the Ghana National Petroleum Authority to release its interim report on what happened to the 47 percent of the oil revenue it received. Copies of the report were made available to representatives of the Presidency and the Parliament of Ghana.

The Public Interest and Accountability Committee has 30 representatives from 13 selected organizations including the Ghana Bar Association, the Clergy, the Institute of Chartered Accounts, the traditional authority, the Trades Union Congress and the Ghana Journalists Association.—Citifmonline.com

Joyce Bamford Addo, Speaker of Parliament

The Upper East Regional branch of the Coalition on the Right to Information (RTI) Bill has called on Parliament to as a matter of urgency expedite action on the passage of the bill that has been laid before it.

The Coalition made the call on Thursday in a communiqué issued at a round table discussion in Bolgatanga, and signed by the Acting Focal Person, Norbert Atia Atanga.

The meeting brought together Civil Society Organizations, the Media and other well meaning natives in the Region. It was to help participants discuss the concerns on the Right to Information Bill.

The communiqué stressed that  the absence of a specific law to enforce the right to information as enshrined in the 1992 constitution under article 21 clause 1 (f) significantly undermined the enjoyment of this fundamental human right by the people of Ghana.

It said its passage had been long overdue and therefore called on Parliament to use this time around as it resumed office to pass the bill into law to help consolidate the country’s democracy.

”The Coalition believes that if an effective law is passed, it will go a long way to consolidate the country’s democracy by promoting dialogue and mutual understanding and facilitate development by enabling all and sundry to participate in planning, monitoring and implementation of the development process.”

It further entreated the Joint Committee on Communication and Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs to come up with their report on the Regional Consultations conducted last year and submit it to the House for further deliberations on the RTI Bill.

The Coalition among other issues reiterated the need to include the chieftaincy institution as a public body which the current bill had excluded.

” The current provision on the exclusion of the chieftaincy institution as a public body contravenes Article 36 (8) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, which states that chieftaincies exercise their functions on behalf of the public.

The coalition appeals to the government to reconsider the current state of clause 65 of the bill reference to ‘government agencies’, which includes a Ministry, a government department, District Assembly or a local authority, a statutory or any other body corporate or incorporated, or a public office.

This provision contravenes Article 36 (8) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, which states that chieftaincies exercise their functions on behalf of the public.”

The communiqué entreated government to include among other issues a penalty provision in the bill because the current state of the Bill failed to answer the question as to what would happen if the custodian denied information to an applicant or deliberately provide wrong information.

”It does not contain any penalties for custodians who willfully obstruct the flow of information. The bill failed to provide for a speedy release of information in cases relating to life and liberty. All these among other issues not raised here make the Bill to fall below international standard”.

The communiqué indicated that Ghanaians would not forgive President Mills and Vice President Mahama if they failed to honour the promise made to them by expediting action to get the RTI Bill passed into law as a pre-requisite for good governance, respect for human rights and the rule of law.—GNA

Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, NPP Scribe

The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has dismissed the latest Media Foundation for West Africa report that cites the party and some of its officials as the guiltiest of the use of indecent language on radio. 
The report released Thursday and covering media monitoring between April 29 and May 5 places the ruling NDC second to the NPP when it came to the use of indecent language.

The publication is designed to name and shame political parties and their operatives who use insulting language in public discussions.

“For the third time, supporters/affiliates of the NPP were found to have used majority of the indecent expressions recorded over the period (11 out of the 24); the NDC followed closely with eight indecent expressions while five were made by people whose affiliation could not be determined,” the report noted.

But the General Secretary of the NPP Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie who was named in the report rubbished its content.

He said his comments have been taken out of context.

But the Deputy Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa, Sulemana Brima says the report is an accurate reflection of how the political parties have conducted themselves in public discussions.

MFWA in its bid to promote issues-based and decent language campaigning in Ghana’s 2012 elections launched this STAR-Ghana funded project to monitor and report indecent expression by politicians and political activists in the campaign process. The project involves monitoring specific programmes on 31 selected radio stations, and exposing politicians and activists who use indecent expressions as well as naming the radio stations on which such expressions are made.—Myjoyonine.com

Kojo Antwi

Two of Ghana’s finest musicians, Kojo Antwi and Sherifa Gunu, are set to thrill patrons at the launch of the 2012 edition of the Miss Ghana beauty pageant event, as well as the Miss World Charity Ball, which comes off on Tuesday May 22, at the Banquet Hall of the State House.

Headlining what would go down as a historic and memorable night never to be forgotten in the life of beauty pageants worldwide, is the “music man” and “maestro” Kojo Antwi, who will be supported by the ever youthful and talented Sherifa Gunu, Exclusive Events Ghana, organizers of the Miss Ghana 2012 pageant, today said.

Ghana prepares to host for the very first time in the history of the Miss Ghana beauty pageant, Ivian Sarcos, the 22 year-old winner of the 2011 edition of the most prestigious beauty pageant on earth, Miss World.

The Venezuelan is accompanied on her five-day visit which begins on the 19^th and ends on the 23^rd, by a 15-member Miss World team, comprising of the first and second runner ups from the Philippines and Puerto Rico, Miss World Europe, Chairman and Chief Executive of the Miss World organization Julia Morley, and some members of the international press among others.

Exclusive Events Ghana has said that the visit forms part of plans by the Miss World organization to support winners of the beauty with a purpose award.

Miss Ghana 2010, Stephanie Karikari, who was a joint winner of the Beauty with a Purpose award at last year’s Miss World finals in London, seeks to build a state of the art day care facility at Ayalolo in the Greater Accra Region.

The Charity Ball will thus be held on the same day as the launch of Miss Ghana 2012 to help raise funds for Stephanie’s project.

Limited tickets are available for sale at Koala, Joy FM, Citi FM, Silverbird Lifestyle Store (ACCRA MALL), Pravda Radio (SPINTEX ROAD) and Max Mart. Interested persons can call 0302 763986 or 0246302325.

Miss Ghana 2012 is powered by Exclusive Events Ghana event, with support from Manet Properties, Reflexion (Ghandour Cosmetics), Africa Cola, Fidelity Bank, Whirpool, FC Skin & Beauty Klinik, Special Ice Mineral Water, Accents & Arts, TT Brothers, International Energy Insurance (IEI), Edern Security, Intercom Programming & Manufacturing Company Limited (IPMC) and Total Fitness Health Club.

Dr. Kwabena Adjei, NDC National Chair

The Western regional chairman of the ruling NDC has confirmed to Citi News that one of its executives in the region has defected to the main opposition NPP over some internal wrangling in the party. 
The chairman, Nana Toku, however discounted claims that some 300 members of the party in the Sekondi constituency have also defected to the NPP.

There were earlier reports that some 300 members of the NDC in the Zongo communities as well as the Constituency Vice Chairman of the party have defected to the NPP.

Nana Toku told Citi News that only the Vice Chairman, Alhaji Osmanu, defected. Nana Toku added that the party is meanwhile planning to meet with him in an attempt to convince him to rescind his decision.

He said “the Zongo people who they say have defected are ready to come out with a statement on how they are unhappy about what he is doing.

“His problem now is that there is a LESDEP vehicle which was given to one branch chairman and he thinks that he also deserves that vehicle and so if the vehicle is not given to him he would quit the party and make sure he damages the image of the party.

“I told them that whatever it is they should allow us to meet him but when we sent for him, he’s had NPP paraphernalia all over him from hair to toe. So we decided that we should give him about three or four days for him to settle down then we call him back.”—Citifmonline.com

Divine Nkrumah, National Youth Leader of PPP

The soreness of the departure of Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, the 2012 standard bearer of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) from the Convention People’s Party (CPP) remains obvious with elements within the CPP bent on doing all they can to denigrate Dr Nduom’s reputation.

These were the words of the PPP in response to the recent comments by a leading member of the CPP, Prof Agyeman Badu Akosa, ostensibly to cast a slur on Dr Nduom.

Prof Akosa is reported to have called ‘Dr Nduom a mole’ who was not a true Nkrumaist as he claimed to be.

Prof Akosa from his comments suggested that Dr Nduom by his actions was an opportunist and imposter.

The statement issued and signed yesterday by the party’s National Youth Leader, Divine Nkrumah, remarked that the party believed the CPP was going the direction of vilification as simply one of the techniques to wrap the grief of the rate at which people are leaving the CPP leading to the downfall of the party.

“Up till today, some people in the CPP have not been able to absorb the shock of Dr Nduom’s exit, to the extent that there is no single comment that comes from the CPP in recent times without the mention of the name NDUOM and PPP accompanied by derogatory attachments.

This clearly brings to light the pain in them as Dr Nduom rejects the CPP and forms the PPP with like-minded pragmatists.”

The statement continued that “It is very astonishing to comprehend where Prof Agyemang Badu Akosa gets the impetus to talk about progressive people, when he has so many albatrosses hanging on his neck.”

It added that “as disciplined youth, we do not want to be tempted to descend into the gutter as people like Prof. Akosa would like us to.  We want to admonish Prof. Akosa and his likes in the CPP to stick to issues affecting their CPP party as it is not on the ground anywhere in Ghana.”

“That party seems to prefer a backward ever attitude contrary to what the Osagyefo taught Ghanaians.”

The party disclosed that more often than not, people like Prof Akosa and Nii Akomfrah (the party’s Communications Director) chant all sorts of watchwords like Nkrumaism, Socialism  and take some delight in projecting themselves as Nkrumaists and the snappy attitude of defining who is one or not.

“Having mastered in this act, they forget that Kwame Nkrumah was not just a mere talkative or someone who was just interested in reciting big quotations from the Marxist theories. Kwame Nkrumah was a practical man who believed in working hard to satisfy the exigencies of time,” PPP noted.

“He was a Pragmatist, and that is what we are – Progressive People’s Party. Politics is not just about combining words to make a sentence. It is about using what we have learnt to better the lives of the many people who consider us sources of inspiration. If Osagyefo were alive today, he would be a PPP member.”

The statement sought to ask; per which criteria is someone classified as Nkrumaist or Anti-Nkrumaist. “Is it when the person is poor and can quote sections of Nkrumah’s books or by deeds?”

It again questioned if anyone would call Kwame Nkrumah a CIA spy because he schooled and worked in the US and at a point opted to stop the usage of his Christian name, Francis?

“Would anybody dare to call Kwame Nkrumah a capitalist and imperialist because he collaborated with foreign firms in the US to secure funds to facilitate the construction of the Volta River Project to enhance the lives of the people of this country?”

The PPP again inquired if anybody would refer to Kwame Nkrumah as an opportunist because he accepted to work as the General Secretary of the UGCC to help attain independence?

“Again, would anyone call Kwame Nkrumah an imposter at the time, because he broke away from the UGCC to form the CPP when he realised the UGCC was unproductive and not working in the interest of the masses?”

The PPP further rhetorised that “if Prof Akosa has anything better to offer his party and Ghanaians, why didn’t he contest the flag-bearship contest of the CPP?  Why is he not offering himself as a parliamentary candidate in his hometown?”

“We could dwell on the failures and challenges Prof Akosa has faced in recent years that may be the cause of his bitter one-sided feud with Dr Nduom.  But what would be the point?  We are forward looking and positive minded.”

Against this backdrop, the statement posited that the youth of the Progressive People’s Party deem it best to stick to the practical truth of things rather than to be misled into following individuals who are only interested in trivialities and falsehood arguing that such are the people who see nothing wrong with themselves but others.”

“We are a serious political party and so, we would turn our good intentions into reality and start making practical suggestions needed to boost the quality of life of the people of this nation.”

The statement averred that “We wish to tell Prof. Akosa and his cronies that Dr. Nduom has moved on and is looking forward to becoming the President of this nation to solve the teeming economic problems confronting the people of Ghana come 2013.”

“Dr. Nduom is a man who believes and practices his faith; he is a family man who works hard to keep his home peaceful.  He has created job opportunities for over 10,000 people in all ten regions of the country.  Many people see hope in Dr. Nduom and the PPP.”

STORY: POLITICAL DESK

Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo, 2012 NPP flag-bearer

The flag-bearer of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Akufo-Addo, and his running mate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, extended their ‘Tour Restore Hope’ to the Ashanti Region yesterday.
And in the region they addressed the youth on the alternative they have to offer when elected to lead the country.

Reports indicated that the campus of Kumasi Polytechnic saw many students geared up to welcome the arrival of Nana Addo and his running mate.

“…banners of the two were also hoisted in and around the campus while posters were pasted all over the city with flyers circulated around.

ECOWAS calls for regional investment policy

“The program dubbed ‘TESCON and Ashanti regional Youth Forum’ was organised by the K-Poly branch of the Tertiary Education Students Confederacy of the NPP (TESCON) in collaboration with the youth wing of the NPP.

It was attended by TESCON members in the various tertiary institutions as well as the 800 youth wings of the NPP in the various 39 constituencies of the Ashanti Region.

Some bigwigs within the party graced the occasion. According to the organisers, the aim of the forum was to introduce Dr Bawumia to the youth of the region as well as pave way for them to interact with him [Dr Bawumia] and the flag-bearer on the party’s policies and programs for the youth.”

Fortuna Dusseldorf have not played in the top-flight for 15 years

Fortuna won the game to claim promotion to the Bundesliga at top-flight Hertha’s expense, with the 2-2 draw at home in the second leg giving them a 4-3 aggregate victory.

However, Hertha have protested the decision as a result of the Fortuna fans’ pitch invasion shortly before the final whistle. The incident held up play for 20 minutes.

“After analysing the situation, we have reached a clear decision that a regular procedure of the game was no longer possible in these conditions,” Hertha’s director of sport Michael Preetz said. “We have therefore appointed our solicitor Christoph Schickhardt to officially appeal the result within the necessary deadline.”

Following the resumption of play, referee Wolfgang Stark blew the final whistle slightly earlier than scheduled, and Schickhardt feels Hertha have a good chance of having the game replayed.

“In the DFB regulations, it clearly states that a game which takes place in such circumstances must not be given an official result,” he said on the club’s website. “That necessarily leads to this result being annulled.”

Fortuna have cancelled their planned promotion celebrations this weekend.—ESPN

Michael Owen has failed to earn a new contract at Manchester United

Michael Owen has confirmed on his Twitter account that he will not be offered a new contract at Manchester United.

Owen, 32, moved to Old Trafford on a free transfer from Newcastle United in 2009, signing a two-year deal.

Despite a succession of injury problems, he signed a one-year extension in 2011, but he has managed just one game in the Premier League this season.

On Thursday, he confirmed that his time at the club was over. “The Manager informed me after our testimonial match on Tuesday that the club would not be offering me a new contract,” he tweeted.

“I have loved every minute of the 3 years I have spent at such a fantastic club. I would like to thank the players, staff and fans for their support and wish them well for the future.”

Owen, who reiterated in April that he “wouldn’t drop out of the Premier League”, may call time on his career should he fail to receive a suitable offer.

He added on Twitter: “I now plan to have a short holiday during which I will contemplate my next move.”—ESPN