Stigmatization: a diversionary political strategy

By Prosper Yao Tsikata

The recent revolting development in Ghanaian politics, whereby stigmatization of certain individuals for perceived or real “abnormalities” is fast becoming a diversionary scheme to distract from the gigantic developmental issues that confront our country.

When news broke out in the run-up to the 2008 general elections that then National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, John Evans Atta-Mills, was sick and hallucinating, party aficionados saw it as a propagandist scheme by the ruling government to stigmatize him in order to declare him unfit for the highest office of the land. While there are constitutional provisions that prohibit the sick from holding office, especially if the sickness potentially impedes his/her ability to discharge the duties of the presidential office, the accusation could be regarded as speculative in the absence of any tangible evidence.

IMANI in top 25 most innovative policy think tanks in the world

Out of a total 6,480 think tanks from 169 countries, IMANI was the only African think tank ranked among the top 25 think tanks with the most innovative policy ideas around the world.  Again IMANI is one of only four African think tanks named in the top 75 global leading think tanks, and for the third time running, IMANI was ranked one of top 25 think tanks in sub-Saharan Africa.

Building Capacity to Manage Ghana’s Oil – World Bank assists with US$38 million

Government Agencies, Local Authorities, Educational Institutions and Civil Society to benefit

The World Bank Board today approved a credit of US$38 million to the Government of Ghana for implementation of an Oil and Gas Capacity Building Project.

The Project, which has become necessary following Ghana_s discovery of oil and gas in commercial quantities has two main objectives: first, to help improve public management and regulatory capacity and enhance sector transparency by strengthening the institutions managing and monitoring the sector; and second, support the development of indigenous technical and professional skills needed by the petroleum sector through support to selected educational institutions.

What Can Previous Booms Tell Us About the New Oil Boom?

Courtesy of IMANI-Ghana (www.imanighana.org) & www.AfricanLiberty.org

Ghana’s turnaround after nearly two decades of military misrule began with the reforms of the late 80s.

Though, today, many consider these reforms – driven mainly by the so-called Bretton Woods institutions – to have achieved next to nothing in terms of socio-economic transformation, even their worst critics agree that at the time they were an essential element in the process of arresting Ghana’s terminal decline.

Anadarko’s Jubilee party caps tough year

By Sheila McNulty in Houston, Financial Times, with permission

When the Jubilee field in Ghana produces its first oil on Wednesday it will represent more than a boost in production for Anadarko Petroleum.

It will also validate the US independent oil group’s strategy to pursue international exploration even as its peers pulled back. Oil groups globally are facing barriers to new markets dominated by state oil companies but Anadarko is among a handful seeking organic growth abroad.

The strategy is paying off. Anadarko says it expects production to rise by 7-9 per cent over the next five years, much of it from the string of oil discoveries off the west Africa coast.

Acting Commissioner of CHRAJ, Ms. Anna Bossman, honored with Integrity Award

The Acting Commissioner of CHRAJ, Ms. Anna Bossman, was honored with an Integrity Award on December 7, 2010, at the International Corruption Hunters Alliance Conference at the World Bank headquarters in Washington DC.USA.

Presenting the Corruption Hunters Award, Mrs Obiageli Ezekwesili, World Bank Vice President for Africa Region, congratulated her for her work in anti-corruption.

The citation read “In recognition for her courage and dedication to the fight against corruption”

Earlier that day Ms. Bossman was invited to speak at a Roundtable Meeting on ‘Obtaining Evidence from Secrecy Jurisdiction’

USAID Contribution to Ghana’s Food Security

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided $3.9 million to the people of Ghana through the World Food Programme’s Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation.  The funding will benefit 106,000 Ghanaians through nutritional food interventions, food for work, food for training, and income generating activities.  The principal beneficiaries include malnourished children, pregnant women and nursing mothers, and people living with HIV and their families in the three Northern regions.

What the World Bank should know about Ghana’s Success Stories

By Thompson Ayodele, Imani and www.africaliberty.org

Two decades ago, the rest of the world saw Africa as a hopeless continent. Today Ghana is one of Africa’s success stories.  Its economy, spurred by a thriving private sector, has grown on average by over 6 percent a year for the past five years. A significant part of this growth has been fueled by the success of the country’s palm oil industry, with over 300,000 hectares of land currently under cultivation.

Palm oil provides a major source of employment and revenue for Ghanaian smallholders, with 27,000 farmers engaged in the industry. The Ghanaian government recognizes the huge role palm oil plays in the economy, investing more than $3 million in the industry so far, and recently announcing a “master plan” to support expanded production.

So why all the Fuss about Ghana’s 2011 Budget?

Courtesy of IMANI (www.imanighana.org) and AfricanLiberty.org

Ghana’s latest budget has been met with uproar in some quarters.

There is no dismissing or diminishing the fact that under trying circumstances the ruling government has been working hard to balance its books and stabilise the economy.  There may be some disputes over the precision of measurements and accounting conventions, but the evidence does point to some clear successes on the macroeconomic front.

The strengthening cedi has of course led to a significant boost in imports, but in real terms (accounting for inflation) the increase is in line with recent trends in the current account, and is thus not exactly scary (which is what you would expect if the currency had been artificially overvalued).

African Farmers Get Boost from IFC, Soros Economic Development Fund and Esoko

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and the Soros Economic Development Fund have both invested $1.25 million of equity into Esoko, a Ghanaian technology firm. The investment in Esoko will give small holder African farmers and businesses timely crop information that can be shared via text messaging, enabling farmers to increase their incomes.

Esoko_s software takes advantage of rapidly growing mobile-phone usage in Africa.  The technology allows farmers affordable and timely access to market information that can help them negotiate better prices and improve the timing of getting their crops to market.