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Inside March 5, 2018 .qxp_Layout 1 3/2/18 8:52 PM Page 7 2ND MARCH 2018 FRIDAY CURRENCY PARIS CODE BUYING SELLING US Dollar USDGHS 4.3600 4.5100 RATES Pound Sterling GBPGHS 6.1200 6.3100 Euro GBPGHS 5.4000 5.5600 10 DAILY HERITAGE MONDAY, MARCH 5, 2018 WWW.DAILYHERITAGE.COM.GH Groupe Nduom to spearhead cryptocurrency revolution President of the multinational holding company, Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom is convinced there are enormous benefits the country can derive from adopting cryptocurrencies. He, however, says this would be done with due diligence. There have been concerns about the security of virtual currencies in recent times, forcing a drastic dip in value, especially for Bitcoin. The Bank of Ghana has also cautioned the public on the use of cryptocurrencies, strongly encouraging the public to do business with only institutions licensed by the Central Bank to ensure that such transactions fall under their regulatory purview. However, some analysts remain positive about the future of the virtual currencies despite recent setbacks. •Bank of Ghana has cautioned the public on the use of Creptocurrency “We are going to make sure the cryptocurrency revolution going on doesn’t pass us by. We are doing whatever we need to do to make sure that if there is something good there, we grab our share of it for the benefit of Ghanaians,” Dr Nduom said when he addressed the launch of the IPO of DigiCut Advertising, a subsidiary of Groupe Nduom. Earlier in the year, Vice President of Groupe Nduom, Papa- Wassa Chiefy Nduom, urged the Bank of Ghana to diversify its investment by placing some of its funds in Bitcoin. He urged the Central Bank to invest about one percent of Ghana’s reserves in Bitcoin. Guinness to give away 16 plots at Appolonia City to celebrate independence AS GHANA celebrates 61 years of independence, Guinness has launched a really snazzy consumer promotion that would give Ghanaians a chance to, literally, win a piece of Ghana. Guinness is a bold, distinctive beer that has been proudly brewed here in Ghana for over 50 years and from March 1, in commemoration of Independence Month, through to the June 30, before Republic Day, Ghanaians should look out for the colourful, new look Ghanaian bottle for a chance to win. Speaking on the campaign, Lesego Lebogang Babe, Guinness Marketing Manager, said “in Ghana, land is said to have three owners – the ancestors; those living now; and future generations. So we are giving 16 individuals the chance to start a new legacy by winning their own piece of Ghana, a plot of land. “We have created the special limited edition pack, with Guinness temporarily named ‘GHANAIAN’ to celebrate those ancestors who have ensured Ghana is made of more, and to inspire those living now to build for future generations,” he said. Launching this cool deal at Jamestown, the promotion will reward the 16 winners with their own piece of Ghana, a plot of land in Appolonia City in Accra and millions more Guinness drinkers with instant win prizes including airtime and data. Plant Breeders Bill must be revised – CSOs tell Parliament REPRESENTATIVES FROM various Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have reiterated their call for a revision of the current Plant Breeders Bill. They called for a unique bill that supports the plant variety protection system as demanded under the WTO Trips Agreement. The representatives included Food Sovereignty Ghana (FSG), Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG), General Agricultural Workers Union of Trade Union Congress, Ghana, Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Organisational Development and SNV Netherlands Development Organisation. According to Executive Director of PFAG, Ms Victoria Adongo, the engagement with the members of the Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs and Environment, Science and Technology committees of Parliament was fruitful. The discussion bothered on food security issues such as postharvest losses, the Plant Breeders Bill and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). The hearing offered the opportunity for the CSOs to restate their case against GMOs. Mr Edwin Kweku Andoh Baffour, Director of Communications of FSG, took the Members of Parliament (MPs) through the UPOV Convention, the WTO TRIPPS Agreement. In addressing them, he was clear on the need for the Select Committee to address the original issues raised by the coalition four years ago, citing clause 23 and 58 as examples of the inappropriate nature of the proposed bill and urged Parliament to ensure that the interest of Ghana's farmers and her biodiversity were not compromised in the bill. Mr Andoh Baffour also reminded the lawmakers to ensure that any loopholes in the proposed bill that may facilitate biopiracy of Ghana's national flora and fauna should be addressed. To this end he called for a mandatory need to declare the source of the genetic materials used in the research work as is best practice worldwide. Mr Baffour used the opportunity to remind the august body that there was no mention of GMO in the entire issues rose by the coalition and asked all stakeholders to cease the pander to the deliberately created perception that the opposition to the bill was based on GMO. In response to the concerns raised by the coalition the Chairperson of the Committee, Mr Kyeremanteng Agyarko who is also the MP for Ayawaso West Wuogon, assured the meeting that the relevant areas of concern raised had been acknowledged and would be given the necessary attention. He expressed regret that the issues raised had taken so long to resolve, however, reminded members that a new parliament had been sworn in since the last consultations and assured all stakeholders involved the opportunity to continue to contribute constructively in the collective interest of Ghana.
Inside March 5, 2018 .qxp_Layout 1 3/2/18 8:52 PM Page 8 WWW.DAILYHERITAGE.COM.GH DAILY HERITAGE MONDAY, MARCH 5, 2018 11 Politics Without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom - and no such thing as public liberty without freedom of speech. Benjamin Franklin Mahama Ayariga writes to Attorney-General • Over almost GH¢ 6 billion allocated for govt projects Improper Regulation Of Government Flagship Programmes For Which About Gh¢ 5,715,157,311.00 Has Been Appropriated For 2018 IT IS a matter of grave concern that many important laudable government programmes utilising colossal sums of public money still get administered in ways that flagrantly violate basic constitutional imperatives. In the 2018 Appropriation Act alone, close to GH¢ 6 billion has been set aside for such treatment. Specifically, GH¢ 5,715,157,311.00 (discounting several others) has been appropriated for use to implement varied flagship programmes that are not properly regulated and left to unfettered discretion of implementers. The specifics have been provided below. If appropriate corrective measures are not taken they will simply become ‘Chop Chop Initiatives.’ Articles 296 and 23 of our Constitution enjoin us to regulate the use of discretionary power. This removes arbitrariness, capriciousness and bias. It seeks to prevent resentful exercise of discretionary power and to ensure fairness and candidness in that process. For someone like you, Madam Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, this is trite knowledge. “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. Our constitution abhors unfettered discretion. The implementation of all governmental programmes must be done by agencies properly established by law and the implementation mechanisms and procedures must be clearly defined by substantive laws or subsidiary legislation. Failing this, we leave open wide openings for misuse and abuse of public funds that a Special Prosecutor could never recover - no matter his/her commitment and expertise in prosecutions. The unimpressive story of GY- EEDA, under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) should be •Gloria Akuffo, Attorney-General our guide. On 8th February 2018, President Nana Akufo-Addo reported that by reducing instances of single source procurement and restricted tendering procurement by about one-half he saved Ghana a loss of public funds amounting to GH¢ 800,000,000.00 in 2017 alone! Failure to comply with the basic dictates of administrative regularity will lead to arbitrariness, exercise of unfettered discretion that is wantonly abused, cronyism that breads political patronage and fuels vigilantism and political violence-a major threat to our democracy, waste and ultimately corruption. The following government policies were approved by Parliament in the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the 2018 Financial Year; 1. Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP) The components of the IPEP include (a) One Village, One Dam; (b) Small Business Development; (c) Agricultural inputs, including equipment; (d) Water for All Projects; and (e) Sanitation Projects. The Ministry of Special Development Initiatives (MSDI) was created to provide oversight and strategic direction. For this policy initiative, a total appropriation of GH¢ 1,237,500,000.00 was made in the 2018 budget. The legal and regulatory framework for the implementation of this policy remains undone and the processes are opaque and wide discretion given to the MSDI. This can easily be abused and fester corruption and enable waste •Mahama Ayariga, MP, Bawku Central and graft. For instance, in the debate in Parliament to approve appropriation for MSDI, evidence of possible graft was already emerging. 2. The National Industrial Revitalisation Programme – A Stimulus Package for Industry. This is intended to provide support to viable existing local companies that are currently distressed and facing operational challenges but deemed viable. Technical and financial support will be given to them. A total of GH¢ 236,000,000.00 was appropriated for this programme. No legal and regulatory framework has been brought to Parliament to regulate how this exceedingly wide discretionary power will be managed in accordance with articles 296 and 23 of the Constitution of Ghana to ensure fairness and justice for corporate Ghana and the private sector generally. 3. One District One Factory: An appropriation of GH¢ 400,000,000.00 has been made for this initiative. Like all the others, we have no clear regulatory framework for the implementation of this initiative. Nation Builders Corps: An amount of GH¢ 600,000,000.00 has been appropriated for this initiative. This programme must be implementation on the basis for clear regulations otherwise another GYEEDA is in the offing. We must fight to prevent that. Clear Regulations must come to Parliament governing implementation. 5. National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP): This involves small grants to young Ghanaian entrepreneurs. A total of USD 10 million was utilised in 2017 and in 2018 an appropriation of GH¢ 50,000,000.00 was approved by Parliament. This programme is also not based on any appropriate regulations to ensure justice and fairness to all young Ghanaian entrepreneurs and innovators 6. Planting for food and Jobs: An appropriation of GH¢ 700,000,000 was made for this policy initiative. As is typical of our very flawed style of governance, no clear non-arbitrary regulations designed to ensure fairness to all citizens seeking to participate and benefit from this programme have been proposed to Parliament. 7. Microfinance and Small Loans Center (MASLOC): In 2018, MASLOC will disburse loans to 41,188 beneficiaries and procure 1,530 tricycles and 482 hire vehicles. An appropriation of GH¢ 1,942,783,630.00 has been made to the Office of Government Machinery (in simple language – the office of the President and Regional Ministers and other agencies under the Presidency) and the MASLOC funds will come from this basket. Even after being in operation for more than a decade, MASLOC does not yet have any legal framework and clear fair and just Regulations to ensure fairness • Continue on page 12
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