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The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, Friday said the Government’s Lithium Lease Agreement with Barari DV Ghana Limited is the best Ghana has ever had in terms of mineral resources mining.

In his defence of the Agreement with the company, a subsidiary of Atlantic Lithium Limited, he said in the history of the country, never had any government signed a more profitable deal, which had the interest of Ghanaians at heart.

Speaking at a stakeholder engagement with some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Accra, Mr Jinapor took time to provide key details about the Agreement in order to dispel the false narratives surrounding it.

He explained that the various clauses within the Agreement signified a departure from the historically exploitative colonial approach to Ghana’s mineral resources.

The Minister said those clauses aligned with the Government’s strategic direction, emphasising value addition in the utilisation of the country’s mineral wealth.

He mentioned the listing of
Bavari DV on the Ghana Stock Exchange, which allows for potential Ghanaian investment through purchasing of shares, the obligation for local participation and the value addition clauses as some of the key components of the deal.

He, thus, assured that the Ghanaian interests reigned supreme in the exploitation of lithium ore in the country.

‘This is the first time that by law, we have made provisions that this company will have to list on the Ghanaian Stock Exchange. They are also required to have a minimum of 30% Ghanaian participation. We already have 19% so we have 11% and it could be more,’ he said.

‘This arrangement is the number one factor, which in my mind, jettisons the colonial term of mining.’

‘The second one is value addition. We’ve always exported raw materials, but this is the first time we have signed a mining lease with clauses, which state that the company will have to retain a significant proportion of the value chain by establishing a chemical plant and refinery here in Ghana.’

‘It has n
ever happened before.’

Noting that he was armed with credible and relevant information from other countries, Mr Jinapor maintained his stance on the lease agreement as the best the country had negotiated.

‘Australia accounts for 52% of global lithium production. Chile accounts for 25%. Zimbabwe is the largest lithium producing country in Africa and their grades are better than ours but when it comes to royalties, Australia pegs it at 5%, Mali pegs its 6% and Zimbabwe at 5%. The Ghana Government has negotiated a 10% benefit, which is twice Zimbabwe and Australia and 4% more than Mali,’ the Minister said.

He refuted allegations that the deal had been shrouded in secrecy, explaining, however, that transparency had been the hallmark of the agreement.

‘The signing ceremony of the lease agreement was done with active media presence, which is an enough indication of the commitment by the Government to comply with the tenets of transparency and accountability,’ he noted.

Whiles welcoming criticism and feedback f
rom the public, Mr Jinapor urged critics to propose alternative and better deals, instead of outlandishly rubbishing the one signed by his Ministry.

He assured Ghanaians of the Government’s continuous pursuits of strategies, policies and commitments that serve and protect their best interests.

On 19th of October 2023, the Government signed the first-ever Lithium Lease Agreement with Lithium Atlantic, an Australian mining firm, to mine the mineral at Ewoyaa in the Central Region.

The Minister dismissed claims by a section of the public that the whole deal was being rushed, noting that ‘government did not rush in signing the Atlantic Lithium Agreement’.
Source: Ghana News Agency

The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has called on religious leaders to use their platforms to raise awareness, educate, and inspire positive change in road safety issues in the country.

Mr David Adonteng, the Acting Director General of NRSA, said, ‘Together, we can create a culture of safety on our roads and make a significant impact on the well-being of our communities.’

The Acting Director, speaking at a Breakfast Meeting with Heads of Churches on the adoption of Road Safety Education, said road traffic injuries were one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, with an increasing crash cases recorded each year.

The NRSA is collaborating with Churches to promote Road Safety during the Authority’s Christmas and New Year Campaign.

He said as custodians of faith and leaders within the communities, ‘your voice holds immense power to shape behaviours and attitudes and we must come together to promote and advocate for responsible behaviours on our roads.’

Mr Adonteng said the impact of
road traffic crashes could be enormous, affecting societies and individuals in different facets and the Authority believe they were because they share a commitment to improving road safety in their daily lives.

The global status report on road safety specified that road traffic crashes will become the fifth leading cause of death by 2030.

He said Ghana like many other countries suffered the devastating consequences of road traffic crashes, where lives were lost, families were shattered, and communities were left in grief.

‘As religious leaders, we have a moral obligation to protect and preserve life, and this extends to promoting safety on our roads,’ he added.

He said their teachings emphasised compassion, empathy, and the value of human life and it was commendable that they translated these principles into action by advocating responsible road user behaviour on the roads.

Mr Adonteng said by doing so, ‘we can significantly reduce the number of road traffic crashes and save countless lives.’

Available
statistics at the Authority indicate 11,694 crashes were recorded nationwide leading to 12,678 injuries and 1,839 deaths from January to October 2023.

In the same period last year, 12,565 crashes out of which 13,119 injuries and 1,985 deaths were recorded, representing 6.9 per cent, 3.3 per cent and 7.3 per cent reduction in the crashes, injuries and deaths respectively.

The Acting Director said the above figures represented a family member, a church member, a mother or a relative involved in road traffic crashes with its resultant injuries and deaths.

He said as they approached the yuletide season, the need to observe road safety had become crucial since the festive season was characterized by increased volumes of vehicles and people on the road travelling in different modes for various purposes, including conventions, 31? watch night service, among others.

He said the Authority believed that the Church owed its congregation the duty to protect the lives of their members, as they preached love and the bi
rth of Christ to their congregation.

‘There can never be any other occasion than the Christmas season to stress the need to ‘Staying Alive’ in our daily travels. There are several ways our collective efforts can make a difference and change the narrative,’ he added.

He urged religious leaders to encourage their congregants and followers to adhere to traffic rules and regulations, including respecting speed limits, wearing seatbelts, and avoiding dangerous manoeuvring.

Mr Adonteng said the most vulnerable road users in society were children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.

He said they were particularly susceptible to the dangers of reckless driving, and it would be their duty to advocate their protection and ensure that the roads were safe and accessible for all.

He said beyond promoting responsible behaviour, they should also offer support and solace to those affected by road traffic crashes, providing counselling, comfort and practical assistance to individuals and families who have exp
erienced loss or trauma.

The Very Reverend Eric K. Amihere, the Director, Public Relations, at the Methodist Church Ghana said they welcomed the call to support the education of members on issues of road safety.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sunyani East, has performed a ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of a standard Astro-turf in the Sunyani Municipality.

The Ghana National Gas Company Limited (Ghana Gas) is funding the project situated at the Sunyani Methodist Cluster of Schools, which has an artificial pitch, spectator stands, and washrooms among other ancillary facilities, and is expected to be completed within six months.

Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh, also the Board Chairman of the Bui Power Authority, and the managers of the Bui Power Generating Station, noted that the Bono Region and the Sunyani Municipality had produced football talents for the national teams.

‘There is, therefore, the need to provide a platform to help unearth, nurture and build on the football talents of the younger generation,’ he said. ? ? ? ?

He expressed optimism that the young people in the municipality would take advantage of the facility to build on their talents.

Mr Ansu Kumi, the Sunyani Munic
ipal Chief Executive, expressed appreciation to Ghana Gas for the project and tasked the Methodist Education Unit to maintain it regularly upon completion.

The Right Reverend Kwaku Effah, the Methodist Bishop of Sunyani Diocese, commended the MP for his passion for development and assured him that the church would take good care of the facility.

Nana Owusu Mensah Ababio, a Board Member of Ghana Gas, said the MP deserved commendation for his lobbying skills, and entreated the Sunyani people to show appreciation to him for the facility.
Source: Ghana News Agency

The government has been urged to pursue policies that will promote the growth of the mining industry.

Joshua Mortoti, President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines (GCM), who made the call, said the government must not be influenced by politics but policies that would help promote the growth of the sector.

Mr Mortoti was speaking at the 9th Ghana Mining Industry Awards (GMIA) in Accra on the theme: ‘Celebrating Excellence: Embracing Sustainable Mining Practices,’ the programme was used to celebrate outstanding achievements and excellence in the mining industry.

In all, the GCM awarded 23 individuals and organisations in 23 categories with Newmont Gold Ridge Akyem Mine winning the Mining Company of the Year Award after sweeping several awards, Interplast Ghana Limited won two awards, namely Best Performer in Mine Supplies and Support Services and Best Performer in Local Manufacturing of Mine Inputs.

Mr Eric Asubonteng, a former President of GCM wining the Mining Personality of the Year, while the Best Female Mi
ner Non-technical went to Charlotte Fafa Tay Senyo, and the Best Female Miner Technical Went to Ellen Serwaa Kontoh.

Mr Mortoti, in his address, urged the government to relook the mining fiscal tax regime, especially concerning exploration.

He said without exploration the mining industry would grind to a halt, pointing out that the country could benefit immensely from its abundant mineral resources if the government decided to invest in exploration and incentivize the private sector to venture into that.

‘We cannot continue to leave the exploration of our mineral resources in the hands of private entities and expect to have most of the benefits when commercial finds are made,’ the President of GCM said.

Mr Mortoti said the introduction of the Growth and Stabilisation Levy endangered the continuous operations of some mines and risks curtailing expected cash flows, saying such outcomes would hurt the state’s revenue objectives and threaten employment.

The President of GCM reiterated his organisation’s comm
itment to supporting the government in its pursuit of socio-economic development and urged the government to deepen collaboration with the mining industry for mutually beneficial policies to drive growth at all levels.

Mr Mortoti said the awards were not only to recognize outstanding achievements within the mining sector, but also to reflect on the importance of adopting sustainable and innovative practices, which would shape the future of the industry.

The Chief Executive Officer of the GCM, Dr Sulemanu Koney, in his remarks, urged mining companies to integrate innovation, efficiency, environmental stewardship, and people-centered policies into their operations.

He also urged mining companies to ensure that the benefits of mining trickle down to citizens especially those of their communities not only today for but for future generations.

‘As we enjoy this evening of recognition and camaderie, let us carry the spirit of celebration forward, fostering a culture of excellence and sustainability within our i
ndustry,’ Dr Koney stated.

The Director of the Communications and External Relations of Newmont, David Johnson, said Newmont was excited about the award.

He said the award would spur Newmont to do more to generate more for the host communities, the company and the government.
Source: Ghana News Agency

The Wa Central Prisons Friday held a pullout ceremony for the Upper West Regional Commander of the Ghana Prisons Service (GPS), Assistant Director of Prisons (ADP) Mr Joseph Damolbil Miyella, during a sombre ceremony.

The Upper West Regional Security Council, led by its Chairman, Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, the Upper West Regional Minister, traditional leaders, personnel from other security services and representatives of the Retired Prison Officers Association of Ghana (REPOAG) among others attended.

Mr Miyella recounted some of the interventions he introduced to improve the conditions at the prisons when he assumed office as the Regional Commander.

As part of the interventions, he led the cultivation of crops to supplement the feeding of the inmates and encouraged their families to donate foodstuff to the prisons to support their feeding, since the feeding allocation was woefully inadequate.

‘I established a marketing team to advocate stakeholders for their support, which yielded results from individuals, fait
h-based organisations, cooperate bodies, and many more,’ he added.

Mr Miyella said in his quest to reduce overcrowding at the prisons, he lobbied a Non-governmental Organisation, Shara Advocates for Change, to construct two additional cells.

He also engaged the Narcotic Control Commission to sensitise the inmates regularly on the effects of drug abuse.

Mr Miyella commended the Upper West Regional Minister for his support to the Wa Central Prisons throughout his tenure.

He expressed appreciation to the Fulani Chief for his unrelenting support whenever the Prison had a problem with Fulani inmates, including hospitalisation, when their relatives could not be traced.

Dr Salih, on his part, said the exit of Mr Miyella would create ‘a huge vacuum’ in the REGSEC and the security architecture of the Region in general.

‘He started his career with many others, but not all of them have achieved what he has achieved for him to have gone through the mill and today he is exiting with distinction,’ the Minister said.

‘
Hence, on behalf of the people of the Upper West Region, I want to sincerely commend him and wish him well in life in the years out of the Ghana Prison Service.’

Mr Miyella enlisted into the GPS in December 2002 as a Marketing Officer, underwent seven months of para-military training and was commissioned in July 2003 with the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Prisons (ASP).

He rose through the ranks to Deputy Superintendent of Prisons, Superintendent, Chief Superintendent, and his current rank of Assistant Director of Prisons.

Mr Miyella worked with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in 2013 as a Corrections Advisor and Mentor.

He was the first Prison Officer deployed to the UN Mission in Haiti in the Caribbean – Mission des Nations Unies Pour la Stabilisation en Haiti, as a reporting officer.

Mr Miyella was the officer-in-charge of Salaga Local Prison from June 2020 to October 2022 before he was transferred to Wa Central Prison to take up the position of Regional Commander.

The retire
d commander received many gifts from well-wishers including the REPOAG and a dog from the Dagaaba Community of the Wa Central Prisons as a traditional gift because the Dagaaba and Frafras are playmates.
Source: Ghana News Agency

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) emerged as a colossal and transformative project, stretching its sinews across continents and cultures.

Initially perceived as a monumental infrastructural and economic endeavour, the initiative is now gravitating towards a green and sustainable future.

This shift, particularly in the energy sector, is not just strategic, but a testament to China’s commitment to a sustainable future-a future where the nexus of green development, economic prosperity, and global cooperation interlace seamlessly.

Hereafter lies a narrative of change, challenging the usual and painting a future where the initiative could be a catalyst in the sustainable energy development agenda.

The Green Pivot: A Necessity, not a Choice

The first half of 2023 has been a watershed moment for the BRI. It was interesting to observe China’s overseas energy engagements under the BRI morphing into the ‘greenest’ in terms of project type since its inception.

The transition focuses on boosting digital connectiv
ity while lessening the environmental impact of physical infrastructure projects.

It’s a paradigmatic shift from the initiative’s original trajectory, signaling a robust commitment to sustainable development.

The statistics show that China’s industrial sector, the main driver of its energy consumption (accounting for 66 per cent in 2018), is undergoing a radical transformation.

By 2020, clean energy sources, constituting natural gas, hydropower, nuclear power, and wind power, escalated to 24.3 per cent of its energy mix.

Moreover, between 2010 and 2019, China accounted for 30 per cent of the global renewable energy production capacity and a similar percentage of the global total investment in renewable energy, amounting to a staggering $818 billion (see figure).

Success Stories of the BRI: Africa and Beyond

The exciting thing is that we can look at the BRI’s global footprint and somewhat underscore China’s commitment to sustainable development.

A Pan-African Odyssey is replete with success stories. In
particular, thousands of Chinese firms, 90 per cent of them private, are operational across the African continent.

China has emerged as the largest funder of infrastructure, spearheading projects like the Djibouti-Ethiopia railway and water pipeline, Egypt’s new rail system, the Mombasa-Nairobi railway in Kenya, two major hydroelectric plants in Uganda, and the Abuja-Kaduna railway in Nigeria.

The BRI’s success is not confined to Africa. It has revitalised the port of Piraeus in Greece, established the first rail freight service connecting China to Europe via Iran, and enhanced rail and road connections across Central Asia.

Projects like the new rail service in Saudi Arabia for Hajj pilgrims, the China-Laos rail line extending to Singapore, a rail project in Malaysia, a hydropower project in Argentina, and airport constructions in Maldives, Kazakhstan, and Indonesia are monumental.

As already stated, these ventures exemplify China’s commitment to infrastructural development in Africa and the BRI’s global
footprint, aligning with several of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Visualising the Facts

According to the Green Finance and Development Centre at Fudan University, 56 per cent of China’s $8.61 billion energy sector engagements in BRI countries during the first half of 2023 were invested in renewable energy projects.

Reference to historical data signals a declining engagement in fossil fuels, marking a historic low since inception.

Figure 2 elegantly juxtaposes the trajectories of renewable energy and fossil fuel investments by China under the BRI.

The ascending green line, representing renewable energy investments, visually embodies China’s growing commitment to sustainable energy practices, resonating with the green transition agenda.

In contrast, the descending red line, denoting fossil fuel investments, captures a significant strategic shift, reflecting a global movement towards renewable energy sources.

This provides a clear and concise comparison of the investment trends, including a vi
sual testament to the evolving nature of China’s global energy engagements, aligning naturally with the narrative on sustainable development and international cooperation.

Additionally, the accompanying map (Figure 3) shows the extensive reach of the Belt and Road Initiative across the African continent.

Marked with blue dots and labeled accordingly, key projects like the Djibouti-Ethiopia Railway, the New Rail System in Egypt, and the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway are highlighted.

Each location marks a node of development and cooperation between China and African nations, resonating with the BRI’s role in fostering infrastructural growth in Africa.

Far from Illusion

China’s leap towards a substantial 24.3 per cent clean energy mix is a clarion call to the world, demonstrating that economic powerhouses can certainly pivot towards sustainability without sacrificing growth.

This commitment is further reinforced by a staggering $818 billion investment in renewable energy, a bold statement in the global energy di
scourse.

Nonetheless, amidst this optimistic backdrop, a critical question looms: Is this green transition a solid evolution or a beautifully orchestrated illusion? The evidence suggests a hopeful answer.

The decline in fossil fuel investments and the surge in green projects across continents are tangible indicators of a profound shift.

This is not a mere rebranding, an ephemeral trend, or a fleeting promise. It’s a rethinking, a reimagining of what global development can and should be.

It is a robust, ongoing transformation, palpable in ‘the wind turbines dotting landscapes and the solar panels capturing the Sun’s bounty’.

Beyond the tangibles is also the spirit of collaboration. In Africa, where the potential is as vast as the savannahs, the BRI’s projects are more than investments as they create partnerships for sustainable development.

A new model of international cooperation is emerging-one that is anchored on mutual respect and shared goals.

Surely, the journey is far from over. Megawatts or mile
s of railway will not be used as the standard measurement for the success of the BRI’s green shift.

The true success will be evaluated by the lasting impact on communities and ecosystems.

Dawn of a Green Era: Personal Reflections

One is struck by the gravity of what lies ahead not just in the story of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) but in the broader narrative of our planet’s future.

Questions abound, yet one thing is certain – the world is watching, hopeful yet cautious, eager to see if the BRI will indeed pave the way towards a verdant, sustainable legacy.

The answer rests in our collective will to embrace a future where ‘green’ symbolises not just a colour, but a commitment to honour our planet and its bounty.

We need to remind ourselves of the fact that ‘the Earth is not a gift from our parents; it is a loan from our children’.

This is our moment, our chance to shape a legacy that will illuminate the pages of history with stories of collaboration inherent in the BRI.
Source: Ghana News Agency