MAFUTA NA GESI TISHIO KWA SEKTA NYINGINE

Na Sylvia Mwehozi

Shughuli za uchimbaji wa mafuta na  gesi ni moja ya sekta ambazo  zinakua kwa kasi katika nchi kadhaa barani  Afrika ambazo zimegundua uwepo wa nishati hiyo. Ghana ni mojawapo ya nchi ambayo imeanza shughuli za uzalishaji miaka mitano iliyopita.  Mkoa wa Magharibi ambao upo kilometa 182 kutoka mji mkuu wa Accra ndiko shughuli za uchimbaji zinafanyika.

Hivi karibuni nilitembelea wilaya ya Sekondi-Takoradi iliyoko mkoani humo na kufika katika eneo ambalo Gesi inazalishwa, ambapo kwa mujibu wa wakazi wa mji huu ,  kumekuwa na mabadiliko ya shughuli za kiuchumi, mwingiliano mkubwa wa watu wa kutoka sehemu tofauti na kuibuka kwa fursa mbalimbali.

Suala la Idadi ya watu wanaokimbilia katika  mkoa wa  Magharibi nchini Ghana kutokana na kuwepo kwa shughuli za uchimbaji wa gesi na mafuta, imezidi kuongezeka na kuleta wasiwasi kwa wenyeji lakini pia ikihatarisha kudidimia kwa sekta nyingine za uzalishaji ikiwemo sekta ya kilimo.

Kwa mujibu wa sensa ya watu na makazi ya mwaka 2010 , mkoa huo ulikuwa na wakazi laki mbili lakini hivi sasa idadi hiyo imezidi kuongezeka na kufikia wakazi laki tano. Idadi hiyo inatajwa kuongezeka kwa sababu ya kuanza kwa shughuli za uchimbaji wa gesi , ambazo zimeibua fursa nyingine, kama ongezeko la ajira , na shughuli nyingine za kiuchumi.

Katika mazungumzo na ujumbe wa waandishi wa habari , Naibu waziri wa mkoa huo Paul Evans Aidoo anasema kuwa wasiwasi umekuwa mkubwa kwa sababu mkoa huo wa Magharibi ndo kitovu cha uchumi wa nchi kwa hivi sasa. ‘Kutokana na ugunduzi wa gesi na mafuta, watu wengi kutoka kaskazini mwa mkoa huu wanashuka chini, eneo la pwani, kwa kufanya hivyo tunahofia kuwa sekta nyingine kama kilimo zitakufa’ alimalizia naibu waziri Aidoo ambaye pia anakaimu umeya wa mkoa huo. Kwa mujibu wa kiongozi huyo, tayari kumeanzishwa mpango mkakati ambao utawasaidia wananchi kuelewa umuhimu wa kushiriki katika uzalishaji wa sekta nyingine badala ya kukimbilia mkoa huo kwa sababu ya mafuta.

Naibu Waziri  wa mkoa wa Magharibi nchini Ghana , Amos Anyimadu akizungumza na baadhi ya wandishi wa habari walipomtembelea ofisini kwake.

Kauli yake inaungwa mkono na Amos Anyimadu, mwanazuoni na mtaalamu wa masuala ya siasa , Kwanza anadiriki kusema kuwa wananchi walikuwa na matarajio makubwa baada ya ugunduzi wa gesi na mafuta, hata hivyo matarajio hayo yanapingana na uhalisia uliopo na hii inachangiwa na sababu kubwa ya kuiona sekta hiyo ya gesi kama mkombozi pekee wa uchumi. ‘’Vyombo vya habari vinapaswa kufanya kazi yake ipasavyo, kama nilivyowaambia mara ya kwanza ilikuwa mwaka 2009 wakati nilisikia kwenye radio moja kuwa Takoradi sasa ni mji wa mafuta, na kulikuwa na mabango kadhaa, yanayosema karibu! Karibu! mji wa mafuta Takoradi lakini nyie wenyewe mmetembea mmejionea hali ilivyo ’’ alisema Dr. Anyimadu.

Kwa mujibu wa mwanazuoni huyo, wananchi wanapaswa kuelimishwa kuwa sekta ya mafuta na gesi pekee haviwezi kuwa chanzo cha mapato na kuacha shughuli nyingine za kiuchumi.

Mtambo wa uzalishaji gesi wa Atuabo ulioko mkoa wa magharibi nchini Ghana

Moja ya mikakati ambayo imeanzishwa na serikali ya mkoa huo ni uanzishwaji wa taasisi ya Western Region coast foundation ambaye inalenga kuwa jukwaa la wadau wote wa mafuta, na gesi pamoja na wananchi kujadili mahitaji , fursa , changamoto na kuwezesha upatikanaji wa majibu juu ya mahitaji hayo.

Tangu kuanzishwa kwake majadiliano katika jumla ya jamii 177 yamefanyika na masuala 620 yakiibuliwa katika Nyanja za uchumi, afya, maji, elimu, miundombinu, mazingira na utawala bora.  Wananchi wa eneo hilo wanasema kuwa fursa zipo, hata hivyo wazawa wenyewe hawajawa tayari kuzitumia na matokeo yake wanaishia kulalamika kuwa wageni wanazichukua. Sylvia Ousu ni mwanamke mfanyabiashara katika eneo la market circle, anasema mwanzoni walikuwa na mategemeo makubwa waliposikia gesi, lakini sasa ni tofauti, biashara haiendi kwasababu watu wanalalamika hawana hela.

Hata hivyo anasema watu wanapaswa kuchangamkia fursa, ‘’ingawa fedha hakuna , lakini kama sisi wanawake tunapaswa kufanya kazi , kama hapa sokoni wanawake wengi wanafanya biashara , ni vizuri kuliko kutofanya kazi kabisa’’.

Mkoa wa magharibi sasa umekuwa lulu miongoni mwa maeneo ya uwekezaji nchini Ghana, gharama za maisha nazo zimezidi kupanda , kwa mfano chupa moja ya maji ya kunywa unaweza kuipata kwa cede 4 hadi 5 ambayo ni sawa na dola 1.4 moja ya marekani tofauti na hali ilivyo mji mkuu wa ACCRA ambako chupa ya maji unainunua kwa cede 1 hadi 2 sawa na dola 0.57 ya Marekani.

Tanzania ikiwa imeanza shughuli za uchimbaji inapaswa kujifunza kuwa wananchi wanahitaji elimu ya kutosha ya kuzingatia mchango wa sekta nyingine za kiuchumi badala ya kukimbilia mjini Mtwara pekee wakiwa na matarajio ya kupata ajira, na fursa nyinginezo na hivyo kuhatarisha uchumi kwa kuwa sekta nyingine zitakuwa hazizalishi

‘Corporate governance key to effective utilisation of mineral wealth’

By Jessica Acheampong, ACCRA

The Media Capacity Development Officer of the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), Mr George Lugalambi, has observed that mineral-rich countries required good corporate governance structures to be able to properly convert their natural resource wealth into sustainable economic development.

He said natural resources such as oil, gas and minerals, hold great potentials for development, which, when properly managed, help transform economies. This, he said required that good decisions are taken on their usage.

“Transforming oil, gas and mineral wealth into sustainable development requires a complete chain of economic decisions and strong foundation of good governance,” he said at the sixth regional media training on oil, gas and mining in Accra.

According to him, economic decisions taken about the exploitation of a natural resource could affect other decisions that have to be taken in the future and it was therefore prerequisite that they are thoroughly thought through prior to their implementation.

“You must understand the decision you take and how it relates to others in the long term. For instance, if you discover two oil wells, some decisions must go into you choosing one to exploit over the other,” he said.

Mr Lugalambi, who took participants through the domestic foundations for resource governance said: “good decision making by government rests on a foundation of rules, institutions, and a critical mass of informed citizens and an authorising environment.”

He explained that it was not only enough for government to lay the foundation for resource governance but to a large extent, ensure that there is an authorising environment that will ensure strict adherence to the rules and regulations governing the use of natural resources.

The workshop

The 10-day course on the extractive sector is being organised by the NRGI in partnership with Penplusbytes in Accra for 24 journalists from three countries – Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania.

The capacity building training program, which is under the ‘Strengthening Media Oversight of the Extractive Sectors,’ is expected to help promote effective and consistent media reportage on oil, gas and mining activities.

It is expected to help increase the number and quality of stories on extractives across all media platforms.

It is targeted at early to mid-career reporters and would help offer them a wide range of benefits, including providing holistic and comprehensive support to journalists through specialised knowledge and skills modules, professional mentoring, experiential learning, access to sources and vital information.

It will also provide access to data as well as encourage interaction with peers, experts, policy makers, and oversight actors.

The Executive Director of Penplusbytes, Mr Kwami Ahiabenu, said good governance of oil, gas and mining resources and the revenues they generate requires effective oversight.

“An effective oversight, however, hinges on an informed, responsive and dynamic media to provide necessary and accurate information to the public about critical governance issues. Here lies an opportunity for journalists to develop more insight and skills on the sector in Africa in ways that are self-sustaining,” he said.

African Journalists discuss importance of EITI

The need, whether or not to join an international standard, Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative is a question that can’t be escaped when it comes to natural resource management.At the 6th Oil, Gas and Mining media training, the heat of the discussion was evident when journalists from East and West Africa met at the annual program. Ghanaian journalist, Prince Appiah has been speaking to Uganda, Tanzania and Ghanaian journalists on the importance of countries signing onto EITI.
listen to his interview here

We’ll resist employment of non-indigenes with our lives – Obuasi MCE warns

Elton John Brobbey


Municipal Chief Executive of Obuasi, Richard Ofori-Agyemang Boadi has issued a terrifying warning to AngloGold Ashanti against recruitment of non-indigenes.
AngloGold Ashanti, one of the continent’s biggest mining firms, is preparing to roll out fresh operations in Obuasi, but the MCE said the company will not be allowed to operate unless it employs a significant number of its workforce from the municipality.
The Obuasi Municipal Chief Executive was speaking to journalists from Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania attending an international programme on the extractive industry.
The over 100 year old mine at Obuasi was closed down in December last year with management explaining that the closure will enable them undertake care and maintenance works. The exercise led to massive layoffs.
AngloGold Ashanti and South African-based Randgold Resources Limited have agreed to revamp the mine.
But Obuasi MCE, Richard Ofori-Agyemang Boadi said they will put their lives on the line to force the firm to employ people from Obuasi.
“We, the people of Obuasi, will ensure that every employment is done at the department of labour but not at their offices. This one, we will do it with the last drop of our blood.”
The mine has a deposit of about 60 million ounces of gold with 19 years lifespan.
“We will not negotiate, we will not compromise…and will ensure that those employed are indigenes of Obuasi…with that, we are assured there would be enough disposable income which will then revolve in every economic activity.”
Ofori-Agyemang Boadi explained to Joy News that when the mine was closed down, most of the retrenched workers who were given attractive package left the municipality exposing the firm’s discrimination against indigenes.
However, he noted that whatever action that would be taken by the leadership of the area would be within the laws of the country.
He said there are qualified artisans – plumbers, electricians etc – in Obuasi to work in the mine that is expected to be in operation between February and March next year.
But the Chief Executive of Chamber of Mines Sulemana Koney told Joy News there would be no need for the community to use “brute force” in exercising their right.
 He noted that the practice has always been that indigenes are given advantage over non-indigenes.
 “Such processes are regulated by law… there should not be no difficulty” in implementing the request of the people of Obuasi, he assured.
Meanwhile, a group of frustrated small scale miners’ numbering over 13,000 in Obuasi say military occupation of some concessions of AngloGold leased to them has made life unbearable for them.

http://www.myjoyonline.com/news/2015/October-12th/well-resist-employment-of-non-indigenes-with-our-lives-obuasi-mce-warns.php#sthash.3qK6inC3.dpuf

Check negotiating capacity for extractive contracts, developing countries told.

 Adiah Nakuti- 13th/10/2015.


Natural resources wealth play crucial role in transforming countries particularly developing nations.
In most developing countries, the extractive industries, Oil, gas and minerals account for more than half of the national income according to the 2009 Revenue Watch institute report on Ending Secret Deals in the Extractive Industry.
However, according to Natural Resources Governance Institute, Africa Associate, Samuel Bekoe, the country’s benefits from extractive industries sorely depend on the contracts signed between government and companies.
Addressing journalist from Uganda, Ghana and Tanzania, undergoing media training on covering Oil, gas and mining in Accra, Samuel Bokoe pointed out that because of experience in the extractive sector, companies know more than governments.
He was quick to add that due to lack of capacity of the negotiators, some governments hire international experts to analyze their extractive contracts.
Since natural resources are non renewable, governments should strive to make a balance between designing fiscal policies that attract investors but also benefit the country.

Mining, oil and Gas Media Training : Photo report

 By Talib Ussi

Marie Lintzer presenting paper of Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative( EITI) when training of Gas, Oil and Mining proceeding  Ghana for aims of Journalists to understand role of that foundation.

Uchimbaji wa madini wahatarisha zao la cocoa Ghana

Rehema Matowo, Mwananchi

Ghana. Zao la Cocoa ambalo linalimwa kwa wingi nchini Ghana lipo hatarini kutoweka  kutokana na uharibifu wa mazingira unaosababishwa na uchimbaji wa madini juu ya ardhi.

Kutokana na hali hiyo serikali ya Ghana na nchi nyingie za Afrika zimeshauriwa kujikita zaidi katika uchimbaji wa madini chini ya ardhi ili kuepuka uharibifu wa mazingira.

Hayo  yamesemwa  na katibu mkuu wa Asasi isiyo ya kiserikali inayosimamia shughuli za wachimbaji wadogo wadogo wa madini katika eneo la Prectea Dominic Nyame wakati akizungumza na jopo la waandishi wa habari kutoka nchi za Tanzania,Uganda na Ghana waliotembelea eneo hilo kuona shughuli zinazofanywa na wachimbaji wadogowadogo .

Nyame alisema kutokana na shughuli za uchimbaji wa madini juu ya ardhi unaoendelea katika eneo hilo umesababisha  viumbe hai  kutoweka ,vyanzo vya maji kama mito  na mabwawa kuwa na kemikali za sumu  pamoja na shughuli za kilimo kushindwa kuendelea.

“eneo hili lilikua na vyanzo 90 vya maji safi na salama lakini kutokana na uchimbaji wa madini juu ya ardhi umesababsha  vyanzo kukauka na kubaki kimoja huku vingine, maji  yake hayafai kwa matumizi kutokana na kemikali”alisema  Nyame.

Akizungumza na waandishi wa habari chief watatu kutoka Prestea Nana kwaw Nsowah  alisema  uchimbaji wa madini juu ya ardhi kwa kutumia kemikali  umesababisha maji kuwa na sumu  na kutofaa kwa matumizi ya  binadamu na viumbe hai.

Chief alisema licha ya eneo hilo kuchimbwa madini kwa miaka mingi wananchi walikua hawanufaiki nayo na kwamba tayari serikali ya Ghana imesikia kilio cha wananchi na kuingia makubaliano kati yake na mwekezaji ili wananchi waweze kunufaika na madini yanayopatikana katika maeneo yao.

Alisema kwa mwaka 2013/14 kampuni ya madini ya  Gold Star imetoa kiasi cha dola 30,000 kwa wananchi kwa ajili ya shughuli za maendeleo fedha ambazo zimetumika kujenga hospitali na kuwaondolea wananchi adha .

Aidha  alisema uchimbaji wa madini chini ya ardhi ukipewa kipaumbele  utapunguza uharibufu wa mazingira kwa zaidi ya asilimia themanini

Alisema ni wakati  wa nchi za Afrika kuachana na uchimbaji wa juu ya ardhi na badala yake wanapaswa kujikita katika uchimbaji wa chini ya ardhi ili kuzuia uharibifu mkubwa wa mazingira ambao madhara yake  ni makubwa.

Mmoja wa wakufunzi  kutoka nchini Tanzania  Deodatus  Mfugale  kutoka  chama cha waandishi wa habarai za mazingira  (JET), alisema  kampuni ,serikali za nchi husika zinapaswa kuhakikisha makampuni ya uchimbaji wa madini yanazingatia  taratibu za kimataifa za utunzaji wa mazingira.

Alisema serikali kupitia taasisi za kusimamia mazingira kwa nchi husika zinapaswa  kupitia upya sera zao pamoja na kufanya tathmini ya athari za mazingira kwa jamii.

Aidha  alizikosoa  serikali ambazo nchi zao zimebarikiwa  kuwa  na rasirimali nyingi  lakini zimeshindwa kuwa na mipango imara ya kuhifadhi mazingira kabla na baada ya shughuli za uchimbaji .

Mfugale  alisema  serikali hizo zinatakiwa kuweka sera mahususi zitakazo bana makampuni ya madini kabla ya kutoa leseni ya uchimbaji ili kulinda mazingira pamoja na madhara yoyote yanayoweza kusababishwa na shughuli za uchimbaji.

Mwisho.

Journalist train on Oil gas and mining in Accra Ghana

 By Taibot Marko

Twenty four journalist from three countries of Uganda Tanzania and Ghana are undergoing training in oil, gas and mining in the capital of Ghana Accra. The training is organized by the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) in collaboration with local implementing partners – African Centre for Media Excellence in Uganda, Penplusbytes in Ghana, and Journalists’ Environmental Association of Tanzania. According to George Lugalambi, the media capacity development officer for natural resource governance institute the goal of the training is to introduce journalists who cover the extractive industry to the critical issues surrounding the exploitation, management, and utilization of oil, gas, and mineral resources in their countries, enriched with a global perspective.

The journalist are expected to acquire basic knowledge needed to understand what is important in oil, gas, and mining. And become proficient in spotting lines of inquiry they can develop into reports capable of increasing citizens’ understanding and triggering public debate on extractive issues.   

Some of the journalist have are attending the training shared experience Justice Lee Adoboe a Ghanaian writing for a Chinese based media Xinhua news agency said, as a watch dog and being the mouth piece for the voiceless, the training will enhance his knowledge and skills in report effectively about oil and gas in Ghana as it is difficult to report about a subject matter that journalist do not understand.

Ignatius Bahizi a BBC reporter based in Kamapala Uganda remarked that, the training has come time especially for his country Uganda where extraction has not yet started because this will make him understand the terminologies in the extractive industry. Many citizens even do not understand this sector and sanitizing the journalist will have impact. 

Bahizi comments Natural resource governance institute for building the capacity of journalist in this industry.

Silvia Mwehori Tanzanian journalist working for Mlimani media of Dar-es-salam university said she has learnt a lot from the training especially legal fram work gorverning the extractive industry many Tanzania journalist including her do not understand the sector well but now she is empowered to report better at home.

After the training in Accra Ghana, another follow up training will be done at the various countries.

WANA MTWARA JIFUNZENI KUTOKA MJI WA TAKORADI

Leah Mushi

Wananchi wa mkoa wa MTWARA wameshauriwa kutumia fursa zilizopo kutokana na rasilimali ya gesi iliyopo mkoani kwao ili kujiletea maendeleo badala ya kutegemea kuletewa maendeleo na serikali peke yake.

Hayo yamesemwa na Dokta AMOS ANYIMADU ambaye ni mtaalamu wa sayansi ya siasa pamoja na masuala ya mafuta na gesi barani Afrika.

Dokta ANYIMADU amesema wananchi wa MTWARA wanatakiwa kujifunza yaliyotokea katika mji ya TAKORADI ulioko Mkoa wa MAGHARIBI mwa GHANA ambao ulianza uchimbaji wa mafuta mwaka 2010 lakini matarajio ya wananchi ya kukuwa kwa mji huo hayajafikiwa na badala yake wananchi wamekuwa wakilalamikia hali ngumu ya maisha.

“Gesi peke yake haiwezi kubadilisha maisha ya watu, zipo fursa nyingi katika mikoa yenye mafuta na gesi ambazo ni pamoja na kuanzisha kwa mashamba yatakayo zalisha chakula kitakacho uzwa kwenye makampuni ya kigeni , kuanzishwa kwa maduka ya kufua nguo, kutoa huduma mbalimbali zikiwemo Bar na Hoteli”.

Pia amekumbusha kuwa wananchi wanatakiwa kuhakikisha huduma hizo watakazo toa zinakidhi viwango vya kimataifa na kwa wingi unaotakiwa ili makampuni hayo ya kigeni yaweze kutumia bidhaa hizo.

EVA AKOTO ni mmoja wa wafanyabiashara wa bidhaa za kuogea katika soko la Mzunguko lililoko mjini TAKORADI  amesema baada kugundulika na serikali kuamua kuchimba mafuta walikuwa wanatarajia maisha yatakuwa rahisi na huduma zote zitapatikana kwa urahisi kitu ambacho hakijatokea kwani kwa sasa maisha ya TAKORADI ni ya hali ya juu kuliko mji wowote nchini GHANA.

“Mfano maji ya kunywa ambayo yanauzwa Cedi Moja katika mikoa mingine lakini TAKORADI maji hayo yanauzwa kwa Cedi NNE, hali hii inawafanya wakazi wengi wa mji huu siku za mwisho wa wiki kwenda kununua bidhaa ACCRA “.( umbali wa saa 4 kwa gari ndogo kutoka ACCRA  mpaka TAKORADI)

Akizungumzia hali hiyo naibu waziri wa MKOA WA MAGHARIBI, ALFRED EKOW GYON amesema serikali inaendelea kuanzisha miradi mbalimbali na kushirikisha wananchi ili kuweza kuwainua kiuchumi pamoja na kutoa elimu ya wao kujiendeleza wenyewe kwenye miradi yao.

GYON pia ameeleza kuwa nivigumu kuwahudumia wananchi wote mkoani humo kutokana na watu wengi kutoka mikoa ya KASKAZINI kuhamia mkoani wakiamini watapata maisha bora zaidi.

Tayari taasisi mbalimbali zimeanzishwa ikiwemo WESTERN REGION COASTAL FOUNDATION ili kutoa elimu kwa wananchi kuhusu kujihusisha na masuala mbalimbali ya maendeleo ikiwemo KILIMO na pia taasisi hiyo inachukua jukumu la kuwa mtu wa kati katika kuwasilisha malalamiko ya wananchi na majibu ya serikali kwa wananchi.

Female illegal miners in Ghana seek support for alternative livelihoods

By Nyamiti kayora

Accra, Women who are involving in small scale mining at Prestea area in western Region have requested the government and the Ghanaian-based GoldField Mining Company to help the local community and empower them with entrepreneurship skills to help improve upon their livelihoods.

Through this, the women believe they would help in the upkeep of their families, instead of  depending solely  on their spouses.  

During the interview with a group of journalists from Tanzania, Uganda and Ghana, Queen Mother of Prestea, Nana Akua Ankoma II said that women are unable  to generate their own income due to traditional and social  obstacles.

The Queen Mother however expressed the belief that with adequate entrepreneurship skills from the company the women could be empowered economically, which can bring about a change in the entire community.

She therefore urged the mining firm to use its corporate social responsibility to put in place strategies to empower women to enable them initiate small businesses.  

According to her, shortage of clean water which has been polluted       mining activities is one of the major obstacles in the way of rural women.

“Mining activities conducted by small scale miners have been prohibited by the law, but many local people still engage in it, so empowering them with some entrepreneurial skills can help reduce or eliminate the practice of illegal mining, “ the Queen Mother asserted.  Ends.

MINING, OIL AND GHANA IN GHANA : PICUTRE REPORT

 By Talib Ussi

Visit to Port of Takoradi : Eva Azante, Takoradi Port Public Affair officer  explain to journalists how port of Takoradi is working like the way  as economic growth in Ghana

 The group of journalists who participate  Training of Oil, Gas and Mining in Ghana are on interview  with the people of Takoradi for means of understand how they benefit from oil and Gas innovated   in their  country.

The Journalist who participate the Training of Oil, Gas and Mining which held in Ghana  asking Abdul Kadir Othman from Takoradi city in order to know how he benefit from that productionm

River Tano, color changed due to illegal mining in the Western Region of Ghana



Ignatuius  Bahizi is the one among journalist who participate  training of Oil, Gas and Mining which held in Ghana he interview   Matthew Kweku  Gyan center Manager of Jubilee Technical Training Center from Takoradi at  his office.

                                     Ignatuius  Bahizi what are you doing in Cote D'Ivoire ?

Experts ask Ghanaian to slow down their expectations regarding oil industry

BY GEORGE MUZOORA

Business experts have cautioned Ghanaian citizens to reduce their expectations regarding the new oil industry but rather focus on developing other industries.

Ghana started producing and exporting crude oil in 2010 and the citizens were expecting much from the ‘black gold.’

To their disappointment, members of community around Takoradi oil city are disappointed that oil industry has instead turned out to be a burden to them. Franciscan Kubulemu is one of the affected business persons here in Takoradi.

Cue in: “I am not getting anything………….

Cue out: ……cost of production is going up”

Justice Lee Adoboe, an economic journalist based in Accra says that in order to overcome a challenge of high production costs, African countries must stop importation of good and promote local industries.


Cue in: “the political economy of………

Cue out: ………for the long term gain”

However, Prof. Amos Anyimadu advised the community around Takoradi not to expect much from oil.

Cue in: “Actually what Ghana………..

Cue out: ………….Average insurance”

Development pillars for Ghana’s Western Region need strengthening

By Justice Lee Adoboe

   TAKORADI, Oct. 8 (NRGI)-- Although the Western Region is the hen that lays Ghana’s golden egg in many respects, pillars for development in that region need strengthening, stakeholders have consented.

   Deputy Regional Minister for the region,  Alfred Ekwow Gyan told a team of journalists under training at Penplusbytes who visited his office  at Sekondi on Thursday that a lot of resources are needed to  improve the  livelihoods for most of the communities which are affected by the resource extraction I their lands.

   “Western Region is the focal point among all regions in Ghana when it comes to the contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” the deputy minister stated.

   Mining communities such as Tarkwa, Bogoso and Prestea among many mining communities are located in this region. The bulk of the country’s cocoa, timber, and now oil are all from this single region which also plays home to the Aboadze Thermal plant and other thermal plants which support electricity generation in the country.

   However, infrastructure in this same region has been old, outmoded needing  modernization to befit its growing status as Ghana’s economic backbone.

   Due to the nascent oil industry, with the investment opportunities in associated industries, government has been working at improving upon road infrastructure and rail networks especially.

   According to Gyan,   road networks including the Akumanyin Junction to Elubo, with  by-pass to Atuabo where the Ghana Gas Processing Plant is located have been bituminized, while cocoa roads in the region are also receiving the necessary attention, with the port at Takoradi   also seeing expansion to take care of oil and other industry related marine business.

   He however underscored the need to improve the livelihoods of coastal dwellers especially whose livelihoods-mostly fishing are impacted negatively by oil exploration and production.

   According to him, the Western Region Coastal Foundation (WRCF) had been launched to seek resources which would be used in helping to improve the livelihoods of the people.

   A political Scientist, Prof. Amos Anyimadu also supported the call for a more comprehensive look at Western Region’s development.

   He lamented the unrealistic expectations of the people from the oil production, which he believes cannot be met.

   “It is not uncharitable to say that what Ghana has now is an oil field, not an oil industry,” he pointed out, urging that the country adopts a systems approach towards the oil and gas industry.

   Since Takoradi, the Western Regional for instance is going to play a key role in the future development of the country as a whole, Prof. Anyimad, also a development Consultant  said a state sponsored social research needs to be carried out to determine the socio-economic needs of such a city. 

   He underscored the need for the high expectations of the people which has led most young people to seek education in specialized oil and gas areas to be tamed.   End.

LACK OF NATIONAL VISIONARY :A REDFLAG FOR THE GRADUAL DEPLETION OF GHANA’S NATURAL RESOURCES- DR.STEVE MANTEAW

BY MARIILYN BADOO

Although Ghana has long started oil and gas extractions in the country since its  discovered the “black gold” in 2007 ,the country still lacks a National Visionary that will guide and protect  the sustenance of its   natural resources for future generations. The welfare of Ghanaians and their generations to come largely depends on what measures government puts in place to ensure the sustenance of its natural resource  wealth. Revenues generated from natural resources  no matter how scanty they are skewed in the various sectors of the economy ,will continue to be one of the major contributing factors to the country’s GDP. The need therefore, for the nation to develop a good  governance framework for maximizing the benefits of natural resource extraction ,its protection ,management and the   sustenance is crucial. The Co-Chair of Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative(GHEITI) Dr.Manteaw called for a collective participation and consensus both from Government and civil society organizations. This, the Campaigns Coordinator for ISODEC ,cautioned at the 6^th edition of the annual media training on oil, gas and mining, organized by the Natural Resource Institute Governance  ,in collaboration with the International Institute for ICT Journalism (Penplusbyte) ,with support from the  African  Centre for Media Excellence in Uganda, and journalists Environmental Association of Tanzania.

The two-week training programme currently underway in Ghana brought together twenty-four  journalists both from the Print, Radio and Television . The objective is to have a knowledgeable and active media which is critical to having an informed and engaged public, civil society and Parliament that can hold government to account. The training programme also aims at increasing the quantity and quality of coverage of extractive-related issues in the media while equipping trainees with improved understanding of legal and policy documents on oil and gas in Ghana and better working relationships with civil society organizations. Participants were drawn from Ghana, Tanzania and

 Uganda.

NEW MEDIA HUB,PENPLUSBYTES….EXPERTS IN SHAPENING JOURNALISTS SKILLS IN NATURAL RESOURCE REPORTING

BY MARIILYN BADOO

He has an energyfield that holds all and sundry spellbound especially when he is in his “elements” training his mentees on the  subject he so well exhibit with flair, eloquence, dexterity and style,well, I prefer to it call it a swag…because that’s what he has.. Natural Resource(oil  and gas ), is indeed his strong passion as a professional journalist. His witty style of presentation gives one no option but to stay glued and listen with rapt attention.

Until 2011 when by his Grace I was appreciated through an award as the Best Journalist for Natural Resource and Environmental Governance (TV Category) organized by KASA Ghana and Care International  after I did a mini documentary on the tidal wiping off an entire village called TOTOPE in Ada, Ghana,I never found the topic “oil, gas and mining an interesting  subject as a budding journalist then. Well,it could be the workshops I mostly attended on the subject matter, were presented in a much boring way, or perphaps I was so “dumb” to understand those long winding “technical terms”. Talk of “field” and I was lost, talk of “Sweet and Light”, and I will whisper”what the hell are these people talking about”. The mention of Domestic Foundations for Resource Governanace, Decision and Value Chain” were enough to send me to the restroom for at least a five minutes breather .But he made it so easy,so interesting ,interactive and so engaging when he took his turn to his educate his mentees on “OIL AND GAS”.The spotlight is on you today Kwami. I doff my China Hat to you . Tomorrow ,the ‘stage” will be set for the rest of the equally AMAZING Resource persons, George ,with his DECISION CHAIN and Legal Framework,Fred and Kofi with their  “COMPELLING STORY PITCHES,Deo  and Bernard with “Local Content and Environmental Impacts” ,..watch this space …Its all about the  6^th edition of the annual media training on oil, gas and mining, organized by the Natural Resource Institute Governance  ,in collaboration with the International Institute for ICT Journalism (Penplusbyte) ,with support from the  African  Centre for Media Excellence in Uganda, and journalists Environmental Association of Tanzania which is  underway and I’m so excited and privileged to be part of this exciting training programme.

Maximize benefits of the natural resources; Government urges

By Frank Aman, Accra
African countries have been challenged to come up with new strategies that would enable their governments maximize benefits of the natural resources found in their areas, in a bid to ensure that local communities surrounding the area are directly benefitted.

This was said on Thursday by the Obuasi Municipal Chief Executive, Richard Ofori-Agyeman Boadi during field trip for journalists from Tanzania, Ghana and Uganda who were in Ghana attending the 6th Regional Media Training on Oil, Gas and Mining.

During a field trip to Abuasi municipal organized by the  Ghanaian-based Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) together with PenPlusBytes, Boadi said in a bid to ensure local communities have directly benefitted from the natural resources there is a need for the local governments to put in place new local content policies.

He cited an example of mining activities taking place in Ashanti region saying that despite a century of mining operation at the area, only 1 percent of the company profits are channelled to the Community Trust Fund for development activities.

Due to that, the Chief Executive said that Obuasi municipal is in the process to maximize local content element in mining activities especially in the forthcoming initiative to develop AngloGold Ashanti gold mine.

Understanding Extractive Sector Interview

The Natural resource Governance Institute is training another batch of Journalists from Uganda, Tanzania and Ghana on how to report about the extraction of Natural resources in their countries, One of them Ignatius Bahizi from Uganda sought to understand why the Institute is interested in this sector and talked to one of it's Officials George Lugarambi and fellow Journalists about the training in the attached Audio.

Extractive companies must invest to protect the environment

Accra, Oct.7,(Godwill Arthur-Mensah)—Extractive companies operating in parts of the world have been tasked to allocate funds towards protecting and rehabilitating the environment.

The move has become necessary because all the process of mining natural resources including, exploration, development, production and decommissioning often damage the environment.

The key pillars of the environment such as the land, water and air are often affected negatively by operations of extractive companies.

Mr. Deodatus Mfugale, the Director of Training Programmes of Journalists Environmental Association of Tanzania, made these observations at a capacity-building workshop for journalists drawn from Tanzania, Uganda and Ghana, in Accra, on Wednesday.

The other components of the environment that are affected by the operations of extractive companies include human beings, marine life, livestock and vegetation that depended on the environment for survival, he pointed out.

Mr. Mfugale charged journalists to always verify whether extractive firms are complying with international environmental best practices and terms of reference in the environmental and socio-economic impact assessment.

He entreated governments in countries that have natural resources to put in place the necessary legal framework before granting licenses to investors to exploit those resources, in order to safeguard the safety of the people.

Mr. Frederick Avornyo, a Communication Consultant at Penplusbytes and a resource person at the training workshop, tasked journalists to write on issues that are relevant to their audiences and concerned their welfare.

Mr. Sylvester Domasa Lugutu, a journalist with the Guardian newspaper in Tanzania and a participant at the training workshop, indicated that extractive companies must exercise maximum precaution in their operations so as to protect the environment from further damage.

He stressed the need for extractive firms to ensure full participation of the people during the environmental impact assessment (EIA) public hearings, in order to solicit their inputs into the EIA.

In addition, he said, the contributions from civil society organizations, experts, regulators and other relevant institutions should be factored into the EIA to ensure a holistic document.

“An independent agency must monitor the extractive industries to ascertain whether they are implementing and complying with the EIA document”, he opined.

The training programme was organized by the Natural Resource Governance Institute in partnership with African Centre for Media Excellence, aimed at enhancing the knowledge and understanding of journalists in the three countries on the extractive sector.

                                                                      END

ISODEC ‘chief’ joins oil oversight committee

Sylivester Lugutu

Accra October 6, 2015: The Intergrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC) director Dr Steve Manteaw will be joining a 13—man Public Interest and Accountability Committee to help the team improve transparency and accountability in petroleum revenues in Ghana.

The Chairman of the PIAC, Prof Paul Kingslay, disclosed today during an ongoing training on strengthening media oversight of the extractive sector for Tanzanians, Ghanians and Ugandan journalists.

According to the chairman Dr Manteaw will be taking over from this November, representing Ghana Journalists Association, the position currently held by Mr Yav Owusu—Addo.

However the chairman was cautious that in order to forestall arbitrariness as well as deepen accountability and responsiveness in the management of petroleum revenues, “parliament should make it a mandatory that the reconciliation report submitted by the Finance Minister every first quarter of the year includes a report detailing the outcome of Annual Budget Funding Amount spending for the proceeding year.”

Prof Kingslay said while there has been positive development activities in the Tweneboa Enyenra—Ntomme (TEN) fields at 46.1percent below 47.7 percent target first oil and gas is likely to be discharged in the third quarter of 2016 and 2017 respectively.

“Its our expectations also we will improve our quality of work this year,” he noted.

Delivering a keynote presentation at the workshop Dr Manteaw simply said natural resources have the potential for generating economic growth but as a state, involvement of citizens, opposition parties and CSOs is extremely vital in the management of the resources.

Ends…

THE PEPPER, THE SWEET CRUDE AND THE WOES OF PIAC

By Francis Whajah

FW/06/10/15/GH

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Day two of the 6^th Regional Media Training on Oil and Gas and Mining being held in Ghana has been eventful. As expected new knowledge has been gained, skills sharpened and experience strengthened

As I sat through the presentations on day two, I picked up some additional knowledge which I wish to share as my wrap up of day two

The joy and the expectations that often follow the discovery of oil is huge but should we as a people start to lower or manage expectations as there is more beyond the discovery of oil?

As my facilitator for the Day, Kwami Ahiabenu puts it, the value of a country’s crude will determine the price. The sweeter and lighter the crude, the higher the price and the heavier and sour it is, the lower the price. This is because sweet and light crude is easier to use and refine

Another high point for me on the day was the Public Interest and Accountability Committee, PIAC. PIAC is a public oversight committee created under section 51 of the Petroleum Revenue Management Act of Ghana to ensure that the collection and management of petroleum revenues in Ghana are consistent with the provisions of the Petroleum Revenue and Management ACT, ACT 815. The revelation however that the finance ministry has failed to release monies due them for several months is worrying. It raises the question as to whether Government is willing to empower PIAC to play its role as a ‘watchman’ in the extractive sector or not?. Chairman of PIAC, Professor Paul K. Buah-Bassuah did not mince words with that when he took turn to enlighten participants on the role of PIAC in the extractive sector

My wrap- up of day two will not be complete without stating that my Tanzanian and Ugandan brothers and sisters really enjoyed their lunch because their call for pepper in the meals to be minimized was heeded to. The smiles on the faces of Nyamiti, Sylivester and Rehema spoke dozens. “We like today’s meal. Less pepper” they emphasized. I must state though that it was normal and business as always for the Ghanaians

I can only hope for the rest of the days to be better as we move along the decision chain

Penplusbytes, NRGI holds 6th Regional Media Training on Extractives

On Monday 5th October to Saturday, 17th October, 2015 at the New Media Hub in Accra, Penplusbytes is partnering Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) to hold a twelve (12) day training on the extractives sector for a group of Twenty-four (24) journalists from Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania.

The capacity building training program which falls under the “Strengthening Media Oversight of the Extractive Sectors” project will help to promote effective and consistent media oversight of oil, gas and mining activities as a pathway to increasing the number and quality of stories about extractives across all media platforms.

The training programme meant for early-to mid-career reporters will offer a wide range of benefits including providing holistic and comprehensive support to journalists through specialized knowledge and skills modules; professional mentoring; experiential learning; access to sources and vital information. It will also provide access to data as well encourage interaction with peers, experts, policy makers, and oversight actors.

Bringing on board experts from the extractives industry, participants will be taken through workshop sessions to discuss varied topics that include the Role of the Journalist, Natural Resource Decision Chain, Legal Frameworks and Checklist for Strong and Compelling Stories. Other lessons will be on the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI), and Revenue Management.

Penplusbytes’ Executive Director, Kwami Ahiabenu, II, believes that good governance of oil, gas and mining resources and the revenues they generate requires effective oversight. An effective oversight however hinges on an informed, responsive and dynamic media to provide necessary and accurate information to the public about critical governance issues. “Here lies an opportunity for journalists to develop more insight and skills on the sector in Africa in ways that that are self-sustaining,” he added.

As part of the training, participants will also take trips to Golden Star Resources in Prestea and Goldfields Mining Company in Tarkwa to experience at first hand, their operations as a means to broadening their scope and knowledge base about mining activities.

On his expectations, Godwill Arthur-Mensah of the Ghana News Agency (GNA) and a participant of the training program said “the extractive sector remains one of the most critical areas of our economy and as a journalist, it behooves me to contribute to ensuring proper management of its revenue. This training is a chance to broaden my knowledge on the sector.”



ABOUT

Penplusbytes is a not-for-profit organization driving change through innovations in three key areas: using new digital technologies to enable good governance and accountability, new media and innovations, and driving oversight for effective utilisation of mining, oil and gas revenue and resources.


The Natural Resource Governance Institute is a non-profit policy institute and grantmaking organization that promotes effective, transparent and accountable management of oil, gas and mineral resources for the public good. Through capacity building, technical assistance, research and advocacy, the NRGI help countries to realize the development benefits of their natural resource wealth.