The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Mines and Energy Committee, John Jinapor, has warned that Ghana could face widespread power outages by September this year if it fails to settle a debt of over $12 million owed to the West Africa Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo).
He explained that WAPCo is threatening to cut off gas supplies from Nigeria by September 6.
“So, that is a threat we are facing, if we do not pay this 12 million by the 7th of September, they would shut down the pipeline completely for both gas from Nigeria and reverse flow of gas from the West to Tema”.
John Jinapor
The Minority in Parliament has announced plans to summon the Ministries of Energy and Finance to address urgent questions regarding the growing judgment debt between Ghana and the oil giant, Trafigura.
This comes after Oil conglomerate Trafigura, took over one of the country’s most important commercial properties, the Regina House in London, following the failure of the government to pay up a $134 million judgment debt.
For four years Trafiguara has been unsuccessful in getting the government of Ghana to pay up the judgment debt awarded to the energy firm after the abrupt termination of a power purchase agreement.
This situation forced Trafigura to secure another judgment in the United States courts which awarded a mandatory interest on the default of 111.4 million dollars which remains the arrears to be paid by the Republic of Ghana. Source: Isaac Kafui Nyanyovor
The desires of Nananom of Sabronum in the Ahafo-Ano-South East to see an end to illegal mining, popularly referred to as galamsey, from the entire land by invoking the great Otumfuo Osei Tutu Nyamekɛseɛ Ntamkɛseɛ have been defiled by galamseyers.
Some scenes from the Galamsey’sites
As if the invocation of the oath is not enough, the galamseyers have gone to an extent of inviting others from afar to the galamsey business according to a youth activist, Akwasi Appiah, who has, together with his peers, been fighting illegal mining.
Speaking with the media yesterday after touring the sites destroyed by the galamseyers, Akwasi Appiah questioned why the oath had been trampled upon by the galamseyers.
According to him, there are some indications of some powerful elements amongst Nananom who are behind the galamseyers by influencing their operations.
Nana Awua Gyau Atuomi, Omanhene Gyaasehene, reiterated the call for action by all the community members, especially the youth, to rise against these deadly activities which his Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has been speaking against.
He has determined to fight this canker with his last blood and has called on every Sabronum community member to rally behind him to get these nation-wreckers out of their community.
Akwasi Appiah, the youth leader for Sabronum, tasked the youth to stand firm against any forms of threat from the galamseyers, adding that their political leadership had failed them.
Great family time it was as Management and Staff of the Ministry of Energy, including Sector Agencies came together to bid me farewell formally, as I bow out of the Ministry of Energy. I am humbled by the outpour of love and well wishes.
Dr.Mathew Opoku Prempeh displaying a citation received
I am proud of what we achieved over the period and I am confident that It forms the basis for many more exploits in the quest at keeping the lights on and the nation moving.
I am grateful for the support of the Management and Staff of the Ministry and sector agencies. We will continue to work together for the continued upliftment of our country
President Akufo-Addo is asking Parliament to expeditiously confirm Deputy Energy Minister, Herbert Krapah as a Minister of State at the Ministry.
This appointment comes as the substantive Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, is set to be confirmed as the running mate to the NPP flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
Herbert Krapah
The Speaker of Parliament read the President’s request to the House on Wednesday, July 3.
“In view of the exceptionally heavy workload now attendant at the ministry, it has become necessary to appoint a Minister of State at the Ministry in the person of Honourable Herbert Krapah who is currently a deputy minister. I would be extremely grateful if Parliament acts expeditiously on this request to enable a full complement of the ministers and deputy ministers to undertake their important functions as soon as possible,” portions of the President’s letter to the MPs read.
Dr Bawumia formally informed the party’s national officers about his running mate choice earlier this week.
The meeting took place at the NPP’s headquarters in Asylum Down Accra, following an earlier presentation of Dr Opoku Prempeh’s nomination to the majority caucus in Parliament.
It appears this fresh development is to ensure that a vacuum is not created at the Energy Minister’s office once Dr Opoku-Prempeh is announced as Dr Bawumia’s running mate.
The Manhyia MP’s nomination is now awaiting the decision of the MPP’s National Council, which is the final approving body of the party.
Meanwhile, a meeting of the National Council is scheduled for Thursday, July 4, where Dr Bawumia is expected to officially announce his choice to them.Source: Myjoyonline.com
A Special Aide for former President John Mahama has said that his next government will look into granting amnesty to alleged illegal miners awaiting prosecution in jail and some convicted miners.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, Joyce Bawa-Mogtari said that it is unfair that foreign nationals and government appointees implicated in the Prof Frimgpong Boateng report on illegal mining have been left scot-free, while the Ghanaians with no voice suffer.
“If there are many of our brothers and sisters languishing in prisons because of illegal mining, certainly this is a matter that we must look at within the context of the Frimpong Boateng Report, within the context of the corruption that has engulfed Akufo-Addo and his government, within the context of the allegations which Mr Mahama has pledged to investigate and prosecute where possible,” she said.
Joyce Bawa-Mogtari
Joyce Bawa-Mogtari said if people are being bandied together and thrown into prison without necessarily going before the law, and in some cases wait years for a trial, there needs to be an investigation into it for some interventions to be employed.
On addressing illegal mining in the next NDC government, she said it will serve the country’s interest to have stakeholders in communities join the the conversation.
“Note that all these joint actions have largely been maybe joint military action, joint police, joint citizens that, but it has never actually worked in tandem with stakeholders. Various opinion leaders are very worried about this canker,” she stated.
Furthermore, she noted that if the party wins the upcoming election, it will invest $500 million to combat the illegal mining menace, known locally as ‘galamsey’.
Joyce Bawa-Mogtari told Evans Mensah, host of the show, that this issue is of great concern, and additional state resources will be invested to address it.
The former Deputy Transport Minister said, “John Mahama actually said in his speech at the University of Mines and Energy, for example, that at least $500 million will be deployed first into research to get data and of course using modern technology.”
“Everybody’s interested in this conversation…there is something that modern technology does for us. It makes things much easier and presents a better photograph and actually satisfies something that humans cannot do,” she explained on Monday.Source: MyJoyOnline.com
The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has warned that Ghana’s forest reserves will be a no-go area for individuals seeking to carry out mining activities under the next NDC government.
He emphasised that the exploration of mineral resources must not come at the expense of preserving the country’s vegetative cover.
He pledged to promote responsible mining and ensure that water bodies polluted by illegal mining activities are restored to their previous state.
Mr.John Mahama
Making the remarks during a public lecture at the Christian Service University in Kumasi, the former president said the country’s forest reserves are more precious than any minerals that lie underneath them and will not tolerate any actions that will deplete them.
“I will ban all mining in forest reserves because I believe that many of the trees in the reserves, which are more than 700 years old, are more precious assets than any mineral that lies beneath them.”
Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh stated on Wednesday, June 19, that the recent power outages in parts of the country were not caused by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
“Mr. Speaker, the question was asked over two months ago. No, ECG is not undertaking load-shedding as at the time the question was asked. Consumers were experiencing outages due to several factors. That included localised outages due to overload online and transformers,” he said.
Dr Opoku Prempeh stated on the floor of Parliament while answering questions and outlining some of the reasons for the country’s recent erratic power supply.
Dr.Mathew Opoku Prempeh aka Napo
“Mr. Speaker, at the time the questioner put the question, CenPower had an emergency which meant a complete shutdown, losing immediately 40 megawatts. That also contributed and the plant maintenance on Amandi power was also ongoing at the same time.
“The emergency outages sometimes requested by GRIDCo have also contributed, so there were myriads of factors that had unfortunately happened, that is causing the power outages in different times.
“The reason ECG said they were not load-shedding is because most of the incidents were not planned and so they couldn’t have come out with a pre-programme to say they were loading,” he told Parliament.
For months, most parts of the country experienced intermittent power outages, with businesses and households bearing the brunt of the burden.
The sector Minister said: “…Mr. Speaker, there are certain areas in this country where all of a sudden, the number of residents and businesses has accumulated, parts of East Legon which was purely a residential area have now become a business district, increasing power consumption.
“Thereby hampering the existing lines there, so the transformers and lines had to be updated. Outages to the average capacity of overloaded lines and transformers.”
In a move to transform Ghana’s energy sector, the Government of Ghana has signed a US$12 billion agreement with TCP-UIC Consortium which comprises Touchstone Capital Group Holdings Ltd.,
UIC Energy Ghana Ltd., China Wuhan Engineering Co. Ltd., and China Construction Third Engineering Bureau Co. Ltd for the development of the first phase of the Petroleum Hub project in the Jomoro Municipal Area in the Western Region. This project aims at positioning Ghana as the destination for energy trading in the West Africa sub-region.
This agreement is a critical step towards the President’s vision of Ghana becoming a regional hub for petroleum refining, storage, and distribution.
The Petroleum Hub project is expected to accelerate the growth of Ghana’s petroleum downstream sub-sector and make it a major player in the economy, creating jobs, attracting foreign direct investment, and enhancing energy security.
Comprehensive Development Plan
Covering over 20,000-acres of land in the Jomoro Municipal Area in the Western Region, the Petroleum Hub which is private sector-led will secure investments and development of key, ancillary and other infrastructures.
The key infrastructure includes three (3) refineries, five (5) petrochemical plants, 10 million cubic metre storage facilities, Jetties and Port Infrastructure.
The ancillary infrastructure and services include power plant, rail and road network, Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) terminals,
pipelines, water treatment facilities, repairs & maintenance services, nautical services, waste treatment facilities, logistics, security & emergency response center, residential & commercial facilities, light to medium industrial area and recreational centers.
Other services and infrastructure such as state-of-the-art laboratory for petroleum products, fabrication workshop, metering and calibration services, equipment supplies, logistics services, remote monitoring & diagnostics, lubricant storage & supply, inspection & certification services will also be available. The project is estimated to cost about US$60 billion.
The development of the Petroleum Hub project will be executed in 3 phases, between 2024 and 2036, with the first phase focusing on developing a 300,000 barrel per day (bpd) refinery, 90,000 bpd petrochemical plant, 3 million m3 storage facility, Jetty and Port Infrastructure.
Economic Impact
The Petroleum Hub project when completed is expected to improve Ghana’s economy significantly. The Petroleum Hub project will increase the presence of major international oil trading and storage companies, create regional trading champions and encourage joint ventures between local and international companies for knowledge transfer and wealth creation, etc.
The local entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to do business with foreign investors in the Petroleum Hub which will facilitate the financial growth of these enterprises. The Petroleum Hub project is expected to transform Ghana’s economy and create over 780,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2036.
Sustainability Approach
Recognizing the importance of sustainable development, the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC) incorporates comprehensive sustainability plans. In line with Ghana’s Energy Transition Plan, the PHDC has outlined its sustainability plan with two key pillars;
Pillar 1 is balancing the economic environmental and social considerations and Pillar 2 is the empowerment of people through local content maximization and gender integration.
The Corporation recognizes that the core activities in the Hub will require carbon offsetting mechanisms to limit our contributions to Green House Gas (GHG) emissions.
Key initiatives that are to be executed include the development of a live wall along the boundary of the hub, adoption of advanced technologies for emission control and waste management. The Corporation is focused on ensuring and safeguarding the biodiversity in the hub area, protecting the existing natural resources, and ensuring adequate waste management practices.
Additionally, community engagement initiatives will ensure that the local population benefit from improved infrastructure, healthcare, and educational opportunities.
Strategic Partnerships
The signing of this agreement hinges on the robust partnerships established between the Ghanaian government and international stakeholders. TCP-UIC Consortium brings a wealth of expertise and technology to the table, ensuring that the project meets the highest standards of operational excellence and safety.
Conclusion
The signing of the US$12 billion agreement is more than just a financial transaction; it is a bold step towards economic sovereignty and regional leadership in the petroleum industry. With the combined efforts of the government, industry partners, and the people of Ghana, the petroleum hub is poised to become a cornerstone of the nation’s economic landscape.
Stay tuned for more updates on this energy transformational project in positioning Ghana as an African giant in the petroleum sector.
For more information, please visit the PHDC official website www.phdc.gov.gh or contact [+233303940682], Email: info@phdc.gov.gh
About PHDC
The Petroleum Hub Development Corporation was established in 2020 through an Act of Parliament, Act 1053 (Petroleum Hub Development Corporation Act, 2020) to drive the promotion and development of the Hub in terms of securing licences, permits and other required government support. The Corporation was set up to create an enabling environment for private sector investments to thrive, provide decent jobs for Ghanaians and avenues for the growth of indigenous businesses.
The organizers of the #DumsorMustStop vigil have announced that the protest will proceed on Saturday, June 8, 2024.
The move comes after the Ghana Police Service filed an injunction application to halt the vigil, citing concerns about the proximity of the protest location to a security installation.
The organizers, led by Henry Osei, held a press conference on Wednesday, June 5, where they confirmed that all issues with the police have been resolved.
Organisers of the #DumsorMust Stop vigil Salom Ramado, Yvonne Nelson and Henry Osei Akoto (L to R)
Mr Osei assured the public that the protest would be peaceful and that the police had assured them of maximum protection.
The #DumsorMustStop vigil aims to pressure the government to resolve the country’s power crisis, which has seen many parts of Ghana experience intermittent power supply at peak hours.
The organizers blame the government’s inability to pay for required fuel as asserted by independent power producers for the crisis.
According to Mr Osei, the public is expected to join the vigil on June 8, with participants marching peacefully from the University of Ghana to Tetteh Quarshie Interchange.
The organizers also highlighted the stark contrast between the country’s electricity generation capacity and actual supply.
They have urged the public to join the vigil and demand a solution to the country’s power crisis.
“We engaged the police yesterday, we sat down with them and everything went on successfully. We discussed our routes and they assured us of maximum protection of the day. We’ve also taken into consideration so many things in terms of our security.
“What we will advise the general public is that when they are coming, we expect them to come and join us march peacefully from the University of Ghana to Tetteh Quarshie Interchange.”
The High Court in Accra has rendered moot an application for an injunction seeking to prevent organisers of the #DumsorMustStop vigil from converging at the Revolution Square, opposite the Jubilee House after it emerged that organisers have already amended their gathering point and route for the vigil.
In an earlier engagement with the Greater Accra Regional Police Command, the conveners disagreed on the starting point for their protest.
The police later filed an injunction against them, stating that the location was close to a security installation.
In court on Friday, May 24, the case was withdrawn to accommodate the new amendment to the venue.
One of the convenors of the vigil, Selorm Dramani Dzramado told the media that they have decided to amend the venue for the vigil in consonance with the Public Order Act.
“We told the public why we chose the Revolution Square because it holds a certain historical significance and its proximity to the Presidency so the police insistence on us changing the venue, we complied with Article 41(i) of the Constitution which says that the citizens of Ghana must always cooperate with the lawful agencies in the maintenance of law and order to write a letter to the police to announce the change of venue and date.”
He added that the court is yet to give the green light for the vigil and that “there is going to be a meeting with the police and so this thing [processes for the vigil] is going to start afresh.”
