APA – Accra (Ghana)
The assertion by the Deputy Minister of Energy, Herbert Krapa that the implementation of the National Energy Transition Policy Framework, which seeks to provide the vision and guidance for Ghana’s energy transition journey, will lead to lower electricity generation tariffs is one of the leading stories in the Ghanaian press on Thursday.
The Graphic reports that the implementation of the National Energy Transition Policy Framework, which seeks to provide the vision and guidance for Ghana’s energy transition journey, will lead to lower electricity generation tariffs, according to the Deputy Minister of Energy, Herbert Krapa.
He said it was projected that the implementation of the framework would lead to a reduction of electricity tariffs to below 4.5 cents per kilowatt hour.
In a speech read on his behalf at an Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) dialogue organised by Auditing and Tax firm, EY Ghana, Mr Krapa said the reduction in tariff would accelerate the socio-economic development of the country.
As a signatory to the Paris Agreement, Ghana is committed to its National Determined Contribution (NDC) targets to address the adverse impact of climate change and increase access to energy for the socio-economic development of the country.
The energy sector has been identified as the leading sector in terms of greenhouse emissions in Ghana and for that matter, the sector has to go through reforms to reduce the emission levels and support the government’s efforts in driving a low-carbon economic development.
In 2022, as part of ongoing reforms in the energy sector, a committee was formed to develop a National Energy Transition Policy Framework to guide a net zero transition.
Mr Krapa said after extensive consultations across the country, the committee has developed a national framework that provides the optimal and sustainable pathway for fuel supply security, diversified energy mix and cost-efficient electricity generation for the country.
The newspaper says that the stakeholders in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector have emphasised the importance of harmonised policies and regulations across African countries to transform the continent into a single digital market.
The move would not only address the concerns of investors regarding the lack of proper regulations but also enable African citizens to take advantage of the collective economic potential of the continent.
The stakeholders are the Ministry of Communication and Digitalisation, the Parliamentary select committee on communications, Smart Africa, Smart Africa Digital Academy (SADA), and the National Information Technology Agency (NITA).
They believe that streamlining digital governance and standardising regulations will unlock vast opportunities for African citizens, and facilitate smoother cross-border transactions.
It will also foster innovation, enhance access to digital services and infrastructure for all citizens, thereby contributing to economic growth and socio-economic development on a pan-African scale.
In a speech read on his behalf at a National Data Centre and Cloud Computing Regulatory Framework Validation workshop organised in Accra on Tuesday, the Director General of NITA, Richard Okyere-Fosu, said over the years, Ghana has made significant strides in its digitalisation journey, and recognises the need for a robust regulatory framework to ensure secure, efficient and innovative data management.
The Ghanaian Times reports that the government is con¬sidering the purchase of new aircraft for the Ghana Armed Forces to boost their capa¬bilities to handle insurgencies.
The A-29 Super Tucano Aircraft, tailored to counter-insurgency, was therefore put on display at the Air Force Base in Accra to enable security experts acquaint themselves with its operations.
The aircraft is the gold standard for light attack, combat, reconnaissance aircraft and built in the U.S by Sierra Nevada Corporation, and Embraer Defense and Security.
With its close air support and aerial reconnaissance missions in low threat environments, the Aircraft presents new opportunities to augment the country’s capabilities in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism efforts.
The Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, said there was the need to prioritise airpower in counter-terrorism and asymmetric warfare efforts.
“The prevailing security landscape in our sub-region underscores the imperative for nations, including Ghana, to prioritise efforts in counter-terrorism and various forms of asymmetric warfare,” he said.
Mr Nitiwul expressed optimism about the potential of the A-29 Super Tucano to augment Ghana’s capabilities in combating insurgency and terrorism.
Acknowledging the critical role of ground infrastructure in maintaining aircraft operational readiness, he stressed the need for an organised ground organisation and logistical support.
The newspaper says that the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) is yet to recover over GH¢291. 5 million disbursed as loans to small and mi¬cro businesses over the past 12 years.
The amount is part of the GH¢304,345,925 advanced to the beneficiary businesses from the peri¬od 2008 to 2020.
Of the amount, GH¢206,464,960.74 was given out as cash loans; GH¢27,033.51 went into a Poultry Project; GH¢74,206,593.01 was invested in vehicles; tractor acquisition took GH¢2,308,970.00; GH¢20,909,282.17 was loaned out for the purchase of tricycles while the PINCO Project took about GH¢429,085.16.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MASLOC, Paul Sarbeng, appearing before the PAC in Ac¬cra yesterday, said, the outstanding loan had become a legacy debts which MASLOC was determined to retrieve.
In this regard, he noted that, the management was implementing a programme of action which was aimed at recovering the funds from the borrowers.
“Mr Chairman, this outstanding loans stem from 2008 to 2020. It’s an amount the centre is determined to collect and we are working on it.
“We developed a programme of action that resulted in the initial collection of GH¢11.4 million. We further made recovery amounting to GH¢1.4 million. The programme is yielding results and we hope to do more in the coming weeks,” he stated.
Currently, Mr Sarbeng noted that, MASLOC had about 55 per cent loans recovery rate adding that the outbreak of COVID impacted negatively on businesses, hence their inability to pay back loans borrowed.
Unimpressed by the slow rate in recovery, the members of PAC ex¬pressed worry about the inability of MASLOC to recover the outstanding loans and the use of their funds.
GIK/APA
Ghana: Press focuses on how energy transition will reduce electricity tariffs, others
