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14 Mayıs 2013 Salı

Gov’t pins hopes on capital market

Government is pinning its hopes on a robust capital market to fund its 25-year National Infrastructure Plan to bridge the country’s infrastructure deficit, Paul Victor Obeng, Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), has said.

Ghana has an annual infrastructure funding gap of about US$1.1billion, most of which is associated with power and water, according to a World Bank-sponsored infrastructure study. The country spends approximately US$1.2billion per annum on infrastructure, equivalent to about 3 percent of GDP. Out of this expenditure, an approximate US$1.1billion a year is lost to inefficiencies - the bulk of which comes from the under-pricing of power.

While Ghana’s capital market has massive potential, it is yet to play a major role in resource mobilisation and long-term financing of the economy. Equities dominate the industry and the debt market consists predominantly of Government securities.

Though the industry has grown rapidly in the last decade, the market lacks depth and liquidity - in part due to low float.

“In the area of economic infrastructure there is a whole lot we can do in order to catch up with others in the same economic grading, yet we cannot go to the World Bank and other places that we used to go to. So, outside the budget and the banks, it is the non-bank financial sector that is expected to help finance infrastructure projects,” Mr. Obeng said at the opening of a Capital Market Conference in Accra last week.

“The National Development Planning Commission has almost completed the strategic National Infrastructure Plan that identifies all the infrastructure requirements which must drive the economy in the next 25 years,” he added.

Power, water, and road infrastructure constitute the greatest challenge. Electricity consumption is rising faster than generation, while only 41 percent of the country’s road infrastructure is rated as being in good condition.

Ghana’s status as a middle-income country means grants and concessionary loans, which would have gone into financing some of these infrastructure projects, will dry-up gradually - leaving Ghana to “join the big boys in the capital market”, said Mr. Obeng.

“By the single act of the graduation, the door has been shut against us in respect to our entry into concessionary lending corridors. Those areas that usually gave us soft loans and grants on both bilateral and multilateral level are no more available.

“Yet we are simply at the bottom of the middle-income category. Our infrastructure didn’t change from that of a least-developing economy into a middle-income economy because we have been proclaimed as so.”

He indicated that Government’s Public-Private-Partnership initiative is expected to drive realisation of the infrastructure plan.

“We want to build this on the back of private-sector financing. That is why we are very active in developing and promoting Public-Private Partnership schemes,” he said.

Reforms

To meet Government’s high expectations, capital market authorities need to pursue urgent reforms to bolster activity, efficiency and transparency, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in an assessment of Ghana’s financial sector.

Among the Fund’s proposals are that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) should raise the minimum capital requirement for market intermediaries, promote new equity listings by domestic companies, and introduce a separate and more flexible framework for the issuance of non-Government bonds.

Government should also divest its interest in profitable stated-owned companies through the capital market, and support the creation of a locally-based credit-rating agency.

Give more support to SMEs - Amissah-Arthur

The Vice President, Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur has urged the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to expand its operations to support more local businesses.

According to him, although Ghana acknowledges the significant financial support from the Corporation to the country, it is time for the IFC to double its financial aid to include a wider scope of local businesses.

The Vice President made these remarks during a courtesy call on him by the IFC Vice President for Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean Jean Philippe Prosper at Flagstaff House in Accra.

Ghana now has seen an excellent performance in the various economic indicators over the years and that he believes cannot rule out the contributions of small medium scale enterprises.

The Vice President particularly singled out Small to Medium Scale Enterprises (SME) where he called for more assistance for them in order to expand their capacities.

He said, the SME’s need to be encouraged and supported to grow. That he said falls in line with President Mahama’s vision to develop the capacities of local Small to Medium Scale Enterprises.

For his part, the IFC Vice President for Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean Jean Philippe said the IFC had enjoyed a stronger partnership with Ghana over the years and indicated his commitment to deepen that partnership for mutual benefit.

He expressed happiness at the work of the corporation in the Country and hinted that the IFC projects 4.5 billion dollars as support for sub-Saharan Africa alone this year.

The Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s African Department, Antoinette Sayeh was at the Flagstaff House to formally exntend invitation to the Vice President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur for this years’ Regional Economic Outlook.

UBA responds to reports of staff agitations

United Bank for Africa, (UBA) has responded to reports that it has failed to pay its workers bonuses due them after the bank posted impressive profits in its 2012 financials.

Citi Business News has gathered some staff of the bank are agitating over the unpaid bonuses.

According to them management had explained the holdup was as a result of delay in approval from management of the bank In Nigeria.

UBA in response to the matter however said it was on course to announce the bonuses.

"Staff of UBA Ghana are well aware that as a practice, bonuses are paid soon after the publication of the bank’s financial performance and this has been done paving the way for the announcement of bonuses to staff just as was paid in 2012."

Some staff who spoke to Citi Business News on condition of anonymity had also alleged the delay in unpaid bonuses was a recurrent problem, saying management was not usually loyal to its promises.

But the bank dismisses the assertion. "UBA Ghana has consistently paid its workers what is due them with the latest salary increment across board announced a few works ago.

This new increment comes on the heels of a 2012 salary increment for 70% of staff."

Meanwhile a 30 percent salary increment proposed by management of the bank is expected to take effect this month.

UBA in its 2012 financial statement published on Monday March 11, 2013, showed a profit before tax (PBT) of GH¢ 62.9 million compared with GH¢ 30.1 million in 2011, representing an incremental growth rate of 108 per cent.

In Profit After Tax (PAT) terms, the Bank grew by 112 per cent from GH¢22.4 million in 2011 to GH¢ 47.5 million in 2012.

There was also an appreciable growth in total assets of 23 per cent from December 2011 to December 2012.

Mantrac to invest in engine rebuild centre

Mantrac Ghana Limited will invest over 20 million dollars into the construction of a new Engine Rebuild Centre near Takoradi to serve the oil and Gas and Mining clients, Mr Emad Adeeb, Managing Director, said on Monday.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the Ghana Oil and Gas Summit, Mr Adeeb said Mantrac would in the next four years enhance its infrastructure in order to offer better services to customers.

“The 0.11 square kilometer workshop is expected to be completed by 2014 and will complement the groups facility already established in Port Harcourt, Nigeria,” he said.

He said the company’s experience, as the official Caterpillar dealer in oil producing countries, had given the group expertise in the provision and maintenance of energy industry equipment.

Mr Adeeb described the project as a landmark one that would support and complement the leading brand of Olympian and Cat power generating sets built to serve clients in the oil and gas market.

Commenting on Mantrac Ghana’s future plans, Mr Daniel Pabby, Head of Marketing and Strategic Planning, said apart from the office in Accra, there are additional offices in Tarkwa and Takoradi, the hub of the Oil and Gas industry.

“With decades of experience in power solutions for the oil and gas industry, we are backed by strong technical expertise and a deep understanding of local markets; we are able to provide our customers with unparalleled product support”, said Mr Pabby.

Mantrac, he said, had a global promise to deliver local solution in the Mining, Construction, Material Handling and Power systems business in Ghana.

Accra brewery appoints new sales manager

Mr Michiel Oerlemans has been appointed the new Sales and Distribution Director of Accra Brewery Limited.

Effective April 1, 2013, Mr Oerlemans replaces Mr Werner Vosloo who has left the company.

The career of the new Sales and Distribution Director has solidly evolved around the sales and operational environment and he has been with SAB Miller Africa for the past four (4) years heading the Sales & Distribution departments at Maluti Mountain Brewery in Lesotho and Zambia Breweries Plc in Ndola, Zambia.

Mr. Oerleman grew up in South Africa, specifically Mokopane in the Limpopo province where he finished his secondary school education. He then enrolled at the University of Pretoria where he obtained a degree in Business Management. He ventured into the Business world in 1994 and then went on to obtain a B.Com Hons in Financial Management in 1996 also from the University of Pretoria in South Africa.

Commenting on his new appointment, Mr Oerlemans stated: “I am delighted to join Accra Brewery Ltd for two main reasons, firstly because the business is on a strong growth path with exciting brands to support sustainable growth. Secondly, I am also excited by the fact of joining such a motivated and forward looking team at Accra Brewery Limited”.

Mr Oerlemans is married with two (2) daughters and firmly holds a business philosophy that success can only be achieved through a coherent team, and within that team, caring and developing each individual is essential to ensure coherence.

ghana political history

Political History

'Poli' in Latin means 'many' and 'tics' means 'bloodsucking creatures'.

Political highlights
1957 - independence, Nkrumah of CPP is PM, 2 key parties
1960 - declared republic, one party system, presidential system
1966 - military overthrow of 1st republic
1969 - 2nd republic, Busia of PP is PM, 2 key parties
1972 - military overthrow of 2nd republic
1978 - palace coup to restructure military government
1979 - junior officer uprising and military housecleaning
1979 - ushered third republic, Limann of PNP is President, 3 parties
1981 - overthrow of the constitutional PNP gov't by the PNDC military junta
1983 - Attempted overthrow of the PNDC junta by other junior army men

1992 - Rawlings of NDC is Dem elected as President, 2 parties **
1996 - Rawlings of NDC is re-elected, 2 parties
2001 - Kuffour (NPP) is President

2005 - Kufuor begins second-term in office

2009 - John Evans Atta Mills (NDC) is President

2012 - John Dramani Mahama (NDC) is sworn in as President following death of President Mills

Summary: multiparty system 20 years
military system 21 years
oneparty system 6 years

** fraud allegations led to an electoral boycott resulting in an effective one party system. Also, marks the first time when the head of a military regime had contested in an election.

Ghana lies at the heart of a region which has been leading sub-Saharan African culture since the first millenium BC in metal-working mining, sculpture and agriculture.

Modern Ghana takes its name from the ancient kingdom of Ghana, some 800 km. (500 miles) to the north of present-day Accra, which flourished up to the eleventh century AD. One of the great sudanic states which dominate African history, the kingdom of Ghana controlled the gold trade between the min- ing areas to the south and the Saharan trade routes to the north. Ancient Ghana was also the focus for the export trade in Saharan copper and salt.

The coming of Europeans altered the trading patterns, and the focus of economic power shifted to the West African coast- line. The Portuguese came first, seeking the source of the African gold. It lay too far inland for them to reach; but on the Gold Coast they found a region where gold could be obtained, exported along established trade paths from the interior. Their fort at Elmina ("the mine") was the first in a series of forts along the Gold Coast designed to repel the other European seafarers who followed in their wake, all struggling for their share of the profitable Gold Coast trade.

In due course, however, slaves replaced gold as the most lucrative trade along the coast, with the European slave buy- ers using the forts and adjoining buildings for their own accommodation and protection, as well as for storing the goods, mainly guns and gunpowder, which they would barter for slaves. Some of the forts were also used for keeping newly acquired slaves pending the arrival of the ships sent to collect them.

The history of the various forts, given later in this guide, graphically expresses how the various European trading nations fought for our gold, ivory and later, slaves.

But while Europeans quarrelled over access to the coastal trade, and despite the appalling depredations of the slave traders, which left whole regions destroyed and depopulated, the shape of modern Ghana was being laid down. At the end of the 17th century, there were a number of small states on the Gold Coast; by 1750, these had merged, by conquest or diplomacy, into two: the Asante empire, and the Fantes. By the 19th century, the Asantes were seeking mastery of the coast, and especially access to the trading post of Elmina. By this time the British had won control of the coastal trade from the other European nations, and their interests could not tolerate further Asante expansion - more so since the Asante Empire was known for its sophisticated admin- istrative efficiency and would have been difficult or im- possible to best at trade. Nevertheless it took a series of military campaigns over some 50 years before the British were finally able to force the Asantes to give up sovereignty over their southern possessions. In a final campaign in 1874 the British attempted, without success, to seize Asante; they were however able to take Kumasi and exact a huge ransom for it in gold; and the vast Asante empire shrunk to the Asante and Brong-Ahafo regions of modern Ghana.

Meanwhile, the Fantes too had been uniting and organiz- ing, and in 1868 formed themselves into a confederacy under a king-president with a 15,000 strong army, a civil service and a constitution. In 1871 the British arrested the Fante leaders for "treason". They were however freed a month later, but the con- federacy never recovered from the blow. In 1874 the British for- mally established the British Crown Colony of the Gold Coast, "legalizing" a colonial policy which had in fact been in force since the signing of the bond between the coastal Chiefs and the British in 1844, despite the fact that the Chiefs never ceded sovereignty to the British under the bond, though some of them allowed British intervention in judicial matters.

The Asante and Fante traditions of education and organ- ization, and their urge for autonomy, remained throughout the years of British colonial rule. The Gold Coast was regarded as the showpiece of Britain's colonies: the richest, the best educat- ed, the first to have an elected majority in the legislature and with the best organized native authorities. The Gold Coast riots in 1948, which marked the start of the people's agitation for independence, were instrumental in changing British policy and drove home the point that colonialism had no future.

But a long struggle still lay ahead - and the man who was the catalyst of that struggle was Dr. Kwame Nkrumah

Born in 1909, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah trained as a teacher at Achimota College in Ghana and then in the United States and Britain, where he obtained his degrees.

He became prominent as a leader of West African organiza- tions in London and was invited to return to Ghana as general secretary of the United Gold Coast Convention. In 1949 he broke away to from the Convention People's Party with the slo- gan Self-Government Now.

In February 1951 the party swept to victory in the polls and became the leaders of Govermnent business in the colony's first African government. The Gold Coast had become the first British colony in Africa to achieve self-government.

On 6 March 1957 Ghana achieved independence - again, the first British colony in Africa to do so - with Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah as its first Prime Minister. On 1st July,1960 it became a republic with Kwame Nkrumah as its first President.

Ghana spearheaded the political advancement of Africa and Dr. Nkrumah laid the foundations for the unity later expressed in the formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). He was a firm supporter of the Commonwealth and the Non-Aligned movement.

On 24th February 1966, the government of Dr. Nkrumah was overthrown by the Ghana armed forces and the police. A National Liberation Council (NLC), headed by Lt. General Joseph Arthur Ankrah, was formed to administer the country.

General Ankrah was removed from office in April 1969 and Lt. General Akwasi Amankwa Afrifa became the Chairman of the NLC, which later gave way to a three-man Presidential Commission with General Afrifa as chairman. The Commission paved the way for a general election in 1969 which brought into power the Progress Party government, with Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia as Prime Minister and Mr. Edward Akufo Addo as president.

The Ghana armed forces again took over the reins of gov- ernment on 13th January 1972, and Colonel (later General) Ignatius Kutu Acheampong became the Head of State and Chairman of the National Redemption Council (NRC). The name of the NRC was later changed to the Supreme Military Council (SMC). General Acheampong was replaced by General F.W.K. Akuffo in a palace coup in July 1978.

The SMC was overthrown on 4th June 1979, in a mass revolt of junior officers and men of the Ghana armed forces. Following the uprising, an Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) was set up under the chairmanship of Flt.-Lt. Jerry John Rawlings. The AFRC carried out a house-cleaning exercise in the armed forces and society at large, while restoring a sense of moral responsibility and the principle of accountability and pro- bity in public life. The AFRC was in office for only three months and, in pursuance of a programme already set in motion before the uprising, allowed general elections to be held. On 24th September 1979, the AFRC handed over power to the civilian administration of Dr. Hilla Limann, leader of the People's National Party which had won the elections.

In the wake of the continuing downward plunge of the coun- try, the Limann administration was overthrown on 31st December 1981, ushering in a new revolutionary era of far-reach ing reforms and rehabilitation at all levels. Flt.-Lt. Rawlings became the Chairman of a nine-member Provisional National Defence Ruling Council, (PNDC) with Secretaries of State in charge of the various ministries being responsible to the PNDC .

Immediately on assumption of office, the PNDC set up a National Commission for Democracy (NCD) charged with for- mulating a programme for the more effective realisation of true democracy. The Govemment of the PNDC also provided for the establishment of elected District Assemblies to bring local government to the grassroots.

In 1990, the NCD, at the prompting of the PNDC, organised forums in all the 10 regions of the country at which Ghanaians of all walks of life advanced their views as to what form of gov- ernment they wanted. These views were collated and analysed by the NCD whose final report indicated that the people want- ed a multi-party system of government.

This led to the appointment of a Committee of Experts to draw up constitutional proposals for the consideration of a Consultative Assembly. The Assembly prepared a draft consti- tution based on proposals submitted to it by the PNDC, as well as previous constitutions of 1957,1969 and 1979, and the report of the Committee of Experts. The final draft constitution was unanimously approved by the people in a referendum on April 28,1992.

Among other things, the Constitution provides for an Executive President elected by universal adult suffrage for a term of four years and eligible for re-election for only one addi- tional term. In the presidential elections held on November 3, 1992, Flt.-Lt- Rawlings who stood on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), garnered 58.8% of the 3,989,020 votes cast to beat to second place his closest rival Prof. Albert Adu Boahen representing the New Patriotic Party who polled 30.4% of the votes. Other contestants for the presidency were former president Dr. Hilla limann of the People's National Convention (6.7%), Mr. Kwabena Darko of the National Independence Party (2.8%) and Lt-Gen. Emmanuel Erskine representing the People's Heritage Party (1.7%).

In the parliamentary elections held on December 29,1992, the Progressive Alliance made up of the National Democratic Congress, the National Convention Party and the Egle Party won 198 seats out of a total of 200, within the Alliance the NDC won 189 seats, the NCP had 8, the Egle Party 2, and Independents 2. Four parties - the NPP, PNC, NIP and PHP - boycotted the parliamentary elections, disatisfied with the pro posed election strategy.

The Fourth Republic was inaugurated on January 7,1993 with the swearing-in of Flt. Lt. Rawlings as President and his running mate, Mr.K.N. Arkaah as Vice President. The newly elected Parliament was opened on the same day and elected, Mr. Justice D.F. Annan as Speaker.

1996: Rawlings was re-elected for a second term

In the December 7, 2000 elections, John A. Kufuor of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), won the largest share of the presidential vote with 48.17% of the vote, compared to 44.54.% for Rawlings vice-president and hand-picked successor, John Atta Mills of the NDC. The NPP also won 100 of the 200 seats in Parliament. The NDC won 92 seats, while independent and small party candidates won eight seats. In the December 28 run-off election, with pledges of support form the other five opposition parties, Kufuor defeated Mills by winning 56.73% of the vote and the NPP picked up one additional MP by winning a by-election, giving them 100 seats and a majority in Parliament. Both rounds of the election were observed, and declared free and fair by a large contingent of domestic and international monitors. President Kufuor took the oath of office on January 7, 2001, becoming the first elected president in Ghanas history to succeed another elected president. He was re-elected in December 2004 for a second four-year term, becoming the first civilian president (without a military background) to fully serve his tenure and go ahead to be re-elected.

In the December 7, 2008 elections, John Evans Atta Mills won the majority of votes after two rounds of voting and a final decidal at Tain and community in the Brong Ahafo region and was declared president and accordingly sworn-in in 2009. President Atta Mills died on July 24, 2012 having served three and half years of his four year mandate as an elected president. By this tragic incident, President Atta Mills becomes the first sitting president to have died whiles still serving.

According to the Constitution of Ghana, Vice President John Dramani Mahama was sworn in as the President of the Republic of Ghana. He is expected to serve the remaining term of the Late President.

Political outlook

Under Jerry Rawlings' rule, Ghana became the most politically stable and prosperous nation in West Africa and provided a model of development for the rest of sub-Saharan Africa. This may continue under President Kufuor if the new government and opposition remain mindful of the turbulence in neighbouring Cte d'Ivoire and try to quell some of the grassroots violence seen during the last general election and in Dagbon in 2002.

Political instability and the intervention of the military is unlikely, particularly given Kufuor's ability to turn the Ghanaian economy around since he came to power. Despite his outbursts, Rawlings' career as a serial coup maker appears to be over. Nevertheless, following his inauguration in January 2001, President Kufuor appeared to backtrack on many popular policies which brought him electoral success. Apparently more interested in appeasing Western donors and international financial institutions than bolstering his own popularity, Kufuor pledged a period of austerity measures. He claims he is fully aware of the dangers this could pose to Ghana's political stability. In his swearing-in ceremony he warned that the ailing economy would 'put severe strains on our people's beliefs and enthusiasm for the democratic process' unless donors step up their assistance.

Culled from the booklet "GHANA - a brief guide" a publication of the Ghana Information Services Department 1994.
Ghanaweb added more info

ghana council of states

COUNCIL OF STATE

The Council of State, a small body of prominent citizens of proven character, advises the President on national issues.

It is analogous to the Council of Elders in the traditional political system.

2013 - present

President John Dramani Mahama in accordance with Article 89 (2) (d) of the 1992 Constitution swore in members to the Council of State at the Flagstaff House at Kanda, Accra on 20 February 2013.

The appointees, together with the elected members of the Council, were sworn in by the President. Two other members will be sworn in at a later date.

Mrs. Cecilia Johnson, Brong Ahafo Region – Chair of the Council of State
Mrs Ama Benyiwa-Doe, former Central Regional Minister
Nana Osie Asibe, Ashanti Region
Patrick Enyonam Agbogba (Togbui Sri), Volta Region
Rashid Sulemana Mahama, Northern Region
Okogyeman Kweku Gyamerah, Western Region
David Kanga, Upper East Region
Edward Gyader, Upper East Region
Abraham Kweku Edusei, Eastern Region
Dr Rabiatu Deinyo Armah, Greater Accra Region
Mr Henry Martey Newman

2009 - 2013

Prof. Kofi Awoonor, Chairman of the Council
Lt.-Gen. Arnold Quainoo (Rtd), former General Officer Commanding the Ghana Armed Forces
Mr. Peter Nanfuri, former Inspector-General of Police
Professor Nabilla, President of the National House of Chiefs
Mrs. Victoria Addy, Presidential appointee.
Mrs. Cecilia Johnson, Presidential appointee
Prof. Akilakpa Sawyer, Presidential appointee
Daasebre Kwubu Ewusi VII, Presidential appointee
Alhaji Asoma Banda, Presidential appointee
Hajara Musa Ali, Presidential appointee
Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, Presidential appointee
Nana Akuako Sarpong, Presidential appointee
Otumfuo Badu Bonsu XV, Presidential appointee
Rev. Nii Amo Darko, Presidential appointee

Regional representatives to the Council: Dr. Bernard Kwasi Glover, elected to represent the Volta Region; Very Rev. Dr. Jacob Ayeebo, elected to represent the Upper East Region;Mr. George Kofi Dadzi, elected to represent the Western Region;Osabarima Owusu Gyamadu III, elected to represent the Eastern Region;Ato Essuman, elected to represent the Central Region;Mr Emmanuel Adzei Anang elected to represent Greater Accra Region;Naa Seidu Braimah, elected to represent the Upper West Region.

The rest are J. H. Owusu Acheampong, elected to represent the Brong Ahafo Region; Nana Asiama Poku Afrifa, elected to represent Ashanti Region; Pkan-Naa Mohammed Baba Bawah, elected to represent the Northern Region

2004-2008

Naa Thomas Tia Sulemana, Zosali-Na
Alhaji Alhassan Bin-Salih, a Retired Principal Secretary
Mr Clement K. Tedam, a Former Minister and Educationist
Mr A.K. Deku, a Former Commissioner of Police (CID)
Mr Kwasi Armah, a Former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK) and a Barrister-at-Law
Nana Otuo Siribour II, Paramount Chief of Asante-Juaben Traditional Area and a Former Lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology,(KNUST)
The Most Rev Dr Samuel Asante-Antwi, Immediate-Past Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana
Professor Adzei Bekoe, a renowned Scientist and Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana

The others are Major-General Edwin Sam, Former Chief of Defence Staff; Mr Kwaku Kyei, Former Inspector General of Police; Odeneho Gyapong Ababio, Paramount Chief of Sefwi-Bekwai Traditional Area and President of the National House of Chiefs; Madam Ama Bame Busia, a Former Principal Domestic Bursar, University of Ghana, Legon; Mrs. Gifty Afenyi-Dadzie, Immediate-Past President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and a Member of the Media Commission; Mrs Cecilia Bannerman, a Former Minister of Mines.

Regional representatives to the Council:

Togbe Kpangbatriku III, Paramount Chief of Dodome Traditional Area for the Volta Region; Professor Naa Sebiyam Nabila for Northern Region; Mr Michael Kwadwo Adusah, a Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police for Brong Ahafo Region and Mr Francis Asianab Afoko, a Businessman for Upper East Region.

The others were Mr Paul Kwabena Damoah, an Agriculturist for Western Region; Mr Fredrick Guggisberg Yaw Ofori-Atta, an Industrial Relations Practitioner, for Eastern Region and Mr Benjamin Asonaba Dapaah, Transport Owner, for Ashanti Region.

The rest were Kuoro Kuri-Buktie Limann IV, Paramount Chief of Gwollu Traditional Area for Upper West Region; Mr Ato Essuman, a Management Consultant for Central Region and Mr John Sackah Addo, Former Governor of the Bank of Ghana for Greater Accra Region.

2000-2004

Prof Alex Kwapong
Alhaji Alhassan Bin-Salih
Mr Clement Tedam
Mr A. K. Deku, Madam Ama Busia
Madam Adisa Munkaila
Mr Kwesi Armah
Prof Adzei Bekoe
Mr Francis Afoko
Nana Ogyeabuor Akompi Finam II
Michael Adusah
Naa Abayifa Karbo II
Dr Kofi Amanor Ansah
Nana Prah Agyensaim
Mr Fred Ofori-Atta Asante
Mr Benjamin Dapaah
Major-General Edwin Sam
Mr Kwaku Kyei
Prof Albert Adu-Boahen
Mrs Emma Mitchell
Nana Otuo Siriboe Odeneho Gyapong Ababio II Omanhene of the Sefwi Bekwai Traditional area (current president of the national houses of chiefs)

ghana ministers

Ministers

Note. This list of Ministers is complete and subject to review when new appointments are made or a Pesidential reshuffle.

Cabinet Ministers

Minister of Education	Prof Jane Nana Opoku Agyemang
Minister of Interior	Mr. Kwesi Ahwoi
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development	Mr Akwasi Oppong-Fosu
Minister of Women and Children's Affairs	Nana Oye Lithur
Ministry of Energy and Petroleum	Mr. Emmanuel Armarh Kofi Buah
Minister of Finance	Mr Seth Terkper
Minister of Trade and Industry	Mr.Haruna Iddrisu
Minister of Defence	Mark Owen Woyongo
Minister of Roads and Highways	Alhaji Aminu Sulemana
Minister of Communication	Dr Edward Omane Boamah
Minister of Health	Ms. Hanny-Sherry Ayittey
Minister of Food and Agriculture	Clement Kofi Humado
Minister of Justice and Attorney-General	Mrs. Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong
Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing	Alhaji Collins Dauda
Minister of Environment Science and Technology	Dr Oteng Agyei
Minister of Lands and Natural Resources	Alhaji Inusah Fuseini
Minister of Transport	Mrs. Dzifa Attivor
Minister of Employment and Social Welfare	Nii Armah Ashietey
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration	Ms Hannah Tetteh

Non Cabinet Ministers

Ministry of Information	Mahama Ayariga
Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs	Dr. Henry Seidu Daanaa
Ministry of Youth and Sports	Mr. Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts	Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare

Ministers of State

Minister of State at the Presidency in charge of Financial and Allied institutions	Franklin Fifi Fiavi Kwetey
Minister of State at the Presidency in-charge of Public-Private Partnerships	Hon. Rashid Pelpuo
Presidential Priority Projects Coordinator	E. T. Mensah
Presidential Priority Projects Coordinator	Alban Bagbin
Presidential Priority Projects Coordinator	Cletus Avoka

Regional Ministers

Eastern	Mrs. Helen Ntoso
Ashanti	Mr. Eric Opoku
Central	Mr. Samuel Sarpong
Brong Ahafo	Mr. Paul Evans Aidoo
Upper West	Dr. Ephraim Avea Nsoh
Greater Accra	Mr. Julius Debrah
Volta	Joseph Nii Laryea Afotey-Agbo
Western	Mr. Ebenezer Kwadwo Teye Addo
Northern	Mr. Bede Anwataazumo Ziedeng
Upper East	Alhaji Limuna Mohammed Muniru

Members Of Council Of State

General Seth Kofi Obeng	Former General Officer Commanding the Ghana Armed Forces
Mr Christopher Kobla Dewornu	Former Inspector General of Police
Professor John Nabilla	President of the National House of Chiefs
Nana Osei Asibey	Otumfuo Deebuosohene at the Manhyia Palace
Mr John Henry Martey Newman	Presidential Appointee
Dr Rabiatu Deinyo Ammah	Presidential Appointee
Mrs Cecilia Johnson	Presidential Appointee
Mr Patrick Enyonam Agboba (Togbe Sri III)	Presidential Appointee
Mr Rasheed Sulemana Mahama	Presidential Appointee
Okogyeman Kwaku Gyamprah III	Presidential Appointee
Mr David Kangah	Presidential Appointee
Mrs Ama Benyiwa-Doe	Presidential Appointee
Sir Dr Edward Nminyuor Gyader	Presidential Appointee
Pastor Abraham Kwaku Adusei	Presidential Appointee
Nana Saa Gyamfuaa II	Brong Ahafo Region
Nana Asiama Poku Afrifa II	Ashanti Region
Vo-Naa Bawah Mohammed Baba	Northern Region
Torgbui Binah Lawluvi VI	Volta Region
Rt Rev Dr Jacob Kofi Ayeebo	Upper East Region
Mr George Kofi Dadzie	Western Region
Guli-Naa Seidu Bhat Braimah	Upper West Region
Nana Kodua Kesse II	Eastern Region
Dr Percival Alfred Kuranchie	Central Region

The Greater Accra Region is yet to elect its representative to the Council of State.

ghana president

John Dramani Mahama Profile:

Name

Mahama

Other Names

John Dramani

Date of Birth

1958-11-29

Place

Detailed Biography

John Dramani Mahama (born 29 November 1958) is the President of the Republic of Ghana. He is a communication expert, historian, writer, former Member of Parliament and Minister of State, and former Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana. He succeeded to the Presidency following the death of John Atta Mills on 24 July 2012.

Early years and education

Mr. Mahama was born in Damango, which is in the Northern Region of Ghana. His father Mr. Emmanuel Adama Mahama was the first Member of Parliament for the West Gonja Constituency and the first Regional Commissioner of the Northern Region during Ghana's First Republic. Upon the successful completion of that programme, Mr. Mahama then went on to pursue an additional postgraduate diploma, this one in social psychology at the Institute of Social Sciences in Moscow.

Early career

After completing his education Mr. Mahama returned to Ghana and, from 1991 to 1996, he worked as the Information, Culture and Research Officer at the Embassy of Japan in Accra. From there he moved to the nongovernmental agency (NGO) PLAN International's Ghana Country Office, where he worked as International Relations, Sponsorship Communications and Grants Manager.

POLITICAL APPOINTMENTS

As Member of Parliament

An eloquent champion of the underprivileged, Mr. Mahama was first elected to the Parliament of Ghana in 1996 to represent the Bole/Bamboi Constituency for a four-year term. In April 1997, Mr. Mahama was appointed Deputy Minister of Communications. He rose to become the substantive Minister of Communications by November 1998; it was a position he held until January 2001 when the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which was the current ruling party, handed over power to the newly elected New Patriotic Party's government. In 2000, Mr. Mahama was re-elected for another four-year term as the Member of Parliament for the Bole/Bamboi Constituency. He was again re-elected in 2004 for a third term. From 2001 to 2004, Mr. Mahama served as the Minority Parliamentary Spokesman for Communications. In 2002, he was appointed the Director of Communications for the NDC. That same year, he served as a member of the team of international observers selected to monitor Zimbabwe's Parliamentary Elections.

As Minister

During his tenure as Minister of Communications, Mr. Mahama also served as the Chairman of the National Communications Authority, in which capacity he played a key role in stabilizing Ghana's telecommunications sector after it was deregulated in 1997. Mr. Mahama also served as a member of the National Economic Management Team, a founding member of the Ghana AIDS Commission, a member of the implementation committee of the 2000 National Population Census, and a deputy chairman of the Publicity Committee for the re-introduction of the Value Added Tax (VAT). Continuing to expand his interest and involvement in international affairs, in 2003 Mr. Mahama became a member of the Pan-African Parliament, serving as the Chairperson of the West African Caucus. In 2005 he was, additionally, appointed the Minority Spokesman for Foreign Affairs. He served in these capacities until 2008, when he was handpicked to become the vice presidential candidate.

Presidency

John Dramani Mahama upon acting as care-taker president of the republic of ghana for 5 months contested on as flagbearer of the ruling National Democratic Congress and secured 50.70% of total votes cast in the December 7, 2012 general election to be declared winner by the electoral commission and sworn by the Chief Justice, Justice Mrs. Georgina Theodora Wood as the duely elected Leader of the Country. John Dramani Mahama becomes the fourth elected leader in the fourth republic. He also become the Fourth "John" to govern the Nation and the first President of the Republic born after the Nation attained Independence.

Family

Mr. Mahama has seven children. He is married to Mrs. Lordina Mahama. Despite his often busy schedule, Mr. Mahama makes it a point to devote time to his family, his faith and his hobbies. He is a Christian who believes in the importance of respect for and tolerance of, other faiths and forms of worship in a nation as diverse and peaceful as Ghana. He has a keen interest in environmental affairs, particularly the problem of plastic pollution in Africa, which he has committed himself to addressing during his tenure as Vice President. Books Mr. Mahama loves to read. He is also an avid writer and has had numerous articles published nationally and internationally. His first book, My First Coup d'État and Other True Stories From the Lost Decades of Africa, was published by Bloomsbury on July 3, 2012.

Career highlights

1988: Institute of Social Sciences, Moscow (Postgraduate Studies in Social Psychology) 1991: Worked as: Information officer, Japan Embassy in Republic of Ghana 1995: Sponsorship and Grants Manager, Plan International, Ghana Country Office 1996: Elected, 1st term Member of Parliament for Bole/Bamboi Constituency 1997: Deputy Minister of Communications 1998: Minister of Communications 1998: Acted as Chairman of the National Communications Authority, Regulatory Agency for Telecommunications and ICT sector 2000: Elected, 2nd term Member of Parliament for Bole/Bamboi Constituency 2004: Elected, 3rd term Member of Parliament for Bole/Bamboi Constituency 2001: Minority Spokesman for Communications 2005: Minority Spokesman for Foreign Affairs 1997: Member, Appointments Committee of Parliament 1997: Member, Communications Committee of Parliament 1997: Member, Standing Orders Committee of Parliament 2002: Director of Communications NDC 2002: Member, Election observer and monitoring team, Zimbabwe Presidential elections 2004: Member of the Pan-African Parliament Chairman of West African Caucus, Pan-African Parliament Member, Transport, Industry, Energy, Communications, Science and Technology Committee, Pan-African Parliament. Member, European and Pan-African Parliament Ad-hoc Committee on Co-operation.

Articles Written By H.E. Mahama