The investment of $4.4 billion by Tullow Oil Ghana in its oilfields in Ghana over a 10-year period and the justification of the new taxes introduced by the government at a time Ghanaians are coping with the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic by Minister designate for Finance are some of the trending stories in the Ghanaian press on Friday.
The Graphic reports that Tullow Oil Ghana has announced a $4.4-billion investment in the country’s oilfields over a 10-year period.
The investment will be channelled into drilling of more than 50 new oil wells and the installation of additional subsea infrastructure on the Jubilee and Tweneboa, Enyira and Ntomme (TEN) oilfields.
It forms part of Tullow’s comprehensive plan to deliver maximum value for the country and stakeholders — Ghana Value Maximisation Plan.
The Managing Director of Tullow Oil Ghana, Mr. Wissam Al-Monthiry, disclosed this when the Minister of Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, paid a working visit to the ‘Oil City’ of Takoradi, the Western Regional capital last Wednesday.
The company briefed the minister about its operations and strategic direction in the country for 2021 and beyond.
The meeting also discussed some outstanding issues between Tullow and the government.
Dr. Prempeh said the government believed in the ability of individuals and corporate entities operating in the country to generate value from their investment.
The newspaper says that the Minister designate for Finance, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, has justified the need to introduce new taxes at a time Ghanaians are coping with the negative impact of the coronavirus disease.
Responding to a question during his vetting on Thursday by the Appointments Committee of Parliament, Mr. Ofori-Atta said it was necessary for Ghanaians to learn to share the burden.
“I think the question of taxes can be an independent question. We have proposed a number of taxes that would affect petroleum which will lead to revenue for the Energy sector.
“We also have a huge sanitation problem and I think that is a health hazard for the days. We are moving forward and there is a battle cry for us to join hands towards growth and transformation.
“We need to create a society that we share the opportunities as we grow and also be able to share the burden,” he said referring to the “ WƆN YA WƆ HIƐƐ ” budget which the government has designed for consolidation, completion and continuation.
In his very first comment on the 2021 budget, he said the budget would propel Ghana into recovery with the new taxes and other programmes outlined to generate funds.
The Graphic also reports that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr James Oppong-Boanuh, has called on religious bodies, especially churches, to hold services within two hours during the Easter festivities.
He noted that during Easter, religious activities across the country were always on the increase and it was, therefore, important to reduce the numbers and strictly observe all the COVID-19 protocols.
“Conventions, crusades, pilgrimages and such large physical gatherings are not allowed,” he stressed in an exclusive interview with the Daily Graphic yesterday.
Outlining measures put in place by the police to ensure peaceful festivities, the IGP said the police would provide enhanced security during the festivities and that would include the deployment of plainclothes and uniformed officers to monitor compliance with COVID-19 protocols and take the necessary actions.
“They will also intensify their vigilance over criminal activities across the country,” he stated.
The IGP indicated that hosting any carnival, festival, beach gathering, street dances, procession, parades and such events was illegal as nightclubs as well as cinemas and movie houses were also banned from opening.
The Daily Guide says that the Ministry of Health has received 165,000 doses of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine from the African Union’s (AU’s) Covid-19 vaccination programme, supported by MTN.
The vaccine, which arrived in the country a few days ago, was through the generous donation of US$25 million by telecom giant MTN to make the Covid-19 vaccine accessible to African countries.
The consignment was received at the Kotoka International Airport by the Chairperson of the Health Commodities Group for Covid-19, Dr. Mathew Kyeremeh, who expressed his gratitude to MTN and said the vaccine was going to be administered to people with underlying health conditions and frontline workers.
The Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, said the government was excited and grateful to be receiving her share of the first one million doses as part of the AU’s accelerated vaccine programme.
He said while they were still in the early stages of the vaccine race, this initial contribution offers some very welcome relief countries are beginning to see the benefit of the dedicated healthcare workers.
GIK/APA