ghananlpcommunity/ghana-gov-speeches huggingface dataset:
Welcome Address by Jae Hong CHOI, Director of KOICA
Source: ministry_of_finance_ghana
Date: 2011-05-06

Based on the Vision of "Better Ghana", the Government of Ghana has accelerated development efforts continoiusly with abundant natural resources good governance and political stability.Also I believe that the oil and gas prodution,which has been on stream since December 2010,will further consolidate and accelerate the Country's effort for growth. As part of such efforts, I am sure that this project will contribute to the country's development. As you are aware, project work scope will be three.Consultancy service for the development of the proposed Ghana Statistical training center,and information system design of the training center.
Remarks by the Government Statistician
Source: ministry_of_finance_ghana
Date: 2011-05-06

The Ghana Statistical Service , has for several years now with the support of the Government of Ghana and for the national policy framework and the nation's development agenda.These efforts have led to a number of initiatives,the most significant being the launch in November 2008, of the Ghana Statistics Development Plan (GSDP) and the Ghana Statistical Service Corporate Plan (programmed form 2009 to 2013). These strategic plan have offered us the necessary opportunity to address some perennial weaknesses in the statistical system nationwide.Given the changing economic landscape of the country, there is the need to ensure that those who need statistical information such as government,business,investors(both current and prospective),and the public at large,are assured of timely and relevant information.The goal of the strategic plans is therefore to make basic data routinely available,and to respond promptly to new and emerging statistical needs.
Speech by Hon. Dr. Kwabena Duffuor
Source: ministry_of_finance_ghana
Date: 2011-10-20

The pronounced pick-up in Africa’s economic growth in recent years has attracted the world’s attention. Three recent studies using different approaches to identify groups of top performers in the world all reached the same conclusion, namely, significant parts of the African region is making decisive break with the past. In his book, Emerging Africa (2010), Steven Radelet identified 17 non-oil emerging African economies based not only on growth, but other important economic, political, and social factors, including the rise of more democratic and accountable governments and implementation of better economic policies. Recently, the Economist (January 6, 2011) reported that since 2001, sub-Saharan Africa had been home to six of the world’s top ten fastest growing economies, which it dubbed, ‘’Sub-Saharan Africa’s lion kings’’. The gains were attributable not only to global demand for commodities, but also to structural reforms and better economic management.
Keynote Address by; Hon. Seth Terkper, Deputy Minister
Source: ministry_of_finance_ghana
Date: 2011-10-26

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, ensuring good governance,macroeconomic stability and the phenomena of the Dutch Disease are paramount and we will keep working with relevant institutions and stakeholders to achieve that. I must admit that in our quest to achieve these goals there will be challenges. We will have challenges in creating avialable, integrated and diversified oil and gas industry that does not compromises our environment, cultural and social values. We as stakeholders must take a keen interest in processes around us to ensure that we are empowered enough to hold our leaders accountable. The GHEITI Secretariat and the GHEITI NSC have worked hard to narrow the Audit reporting gap which existed at the start of the initiative in 2003.So far, they have managed to produce financial audits reports for 2004,2005,2006,2007,2008 and 2009. All these reports and other very useful information are available on the GHEITI website at After a series of consultations with a majority of the stakeholders in the Oil/Gas Sector we hope to bring on board very soon financial audit reports for the oil/gas sector. We have almost covered the reporting gap for mining and it is our expectation that stakeholders will soon discuss reports relatively recent audit reports for both sectors.
Welcome Address by Franklin Ashiadey National Coordinator, GHEITI
Source: ministry_of_finance_ghana
Date: 2011-10-26

Mr. Chairman, the EITI is a governance tool that seeks to promote the principles of transparency and accountability in the payment and receipts of financial resources from the extractive sector. This is achieved by the regular publication, reconciliation and audit of all material benefits received by government from individual extractive companies in the sector. So in line with EITI principles all EITI implementing countries are to regularly publish reports on extractive sector receipts and payments. Accordingly, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and the Ghana EITI National Steering Committee through a competitive bidding process appointed an Independent Aggregator, Boas and Associates to collect, review and analyze data from the country’s operating mines and revenues to government from the mining companies to ensure that there was transparency in payments made by the mining companies and that payments were made appropriately and on time.
Keynote Address by Mr. Enoch Cobbinah, Chief Director
Source: ministry_of_finance_ghana
Date: 2011-10-26

Mr. Chairman, Ghana has a long tradition of gold mining with actual gold production in 2010 reaching 104.39 metric tons. The country also accounted for 36% of total world gold output and it is the second largest gold producer in Africa after South Africa. Ghana is also the third-largest African producer of aluminum metal, manganese ore and a significant producer of bauxite and diamond. A number of countries like Australia, Canada, Sweden, the United States of America and South African have depended on the exploration and extraction of minerals for their economic development. In Ghana, the mineral sector has made noteworthy contributions to foreign exchange earnings and Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Currently, Ghana’s mining sector contributes approximately 40% of Gross Foreign Exchange earnings and accounts for approximately 5.2% of GDP. Indeed, mining remains a key industry for the growth and development of the Ghanaian economy.
Opening Remarks by Mr. Enoch H. Cobbinah Chairman of GHEITI NSC, Chief Director MoFEP
Source: ministry_of_finance_ghana
Date: 2012-01-06

I wish to commend you all for your hard work, dedication and commitment to the process in 2011. Your hard work was manifested by the many successes this initiative attained in 2011. I wish at this juncture to recap a few of your impressive achievements. Furthermore, your efforts resulted in the development of draft guidelines for the utilization of mineral royalties by District Assemblies, draft guidelines on corporate social responsibility, and a Draft Natural Resource Bill- 2011. It is my expectation that this year many of these draft documents will be finalized. Having said this, let me also say that the work in the coming years will be more challenging especially with regard to the oil and gas sector. We need to build the required capacity to operate at equal footing with the oil and gas companies. We are already faced with the challenge of getting handle on the various expenditures being admitted as costs by the oil and gas companies which has an enormous implication for their payment of corporate tax. I am however hopeful that our future EITI reports can get to the bottom of all these costs which eventually have to be capitalized.
Speech by Mr. Enoch H. Cobbinah, Chief Director
Source: ministry_of_finance_ghana
Date: 2012-03-28

Your Excellency, this Workshop marks the end of a 2-year technical assistance project on ‘Strengthening M&E Capacity’ under which 70 Ghana Government officials drawn from twelve (12) MDAs have received training in M&E in Japan and elsewhere abroad. I am also informed that the Workshop is to afford a cross-section of the Ghanaian Public Service and the Media directly connected with Monitoring and Evaluation, the opportunity to learn from the M&E experiences of Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam and how Ghana could draw lessons from these countries to improve its own M& E System. Your Excellency, Distinguished, Ladies, and Gentlemen, the Country-Focused training programme in M&E with both theoretical and practical content, is the first of its kind organised by JICA for any African country. It is therefore my fervent hope that JICA, and for that matter the Government of Japan, would support the Government of Ghana to implement successor M&E projects, to broaden as well as deepen M&E knowledge and skills of Government officials, at all levels of governance in the country utilising those already trained by this project.
Key Note Address by H.E John Dramani Mahama at the 2012 CG Annual Meeting on Ghana
Source: ministry_of_finance_ghana
Date: 2012-06-21

I recall that two years ago I stood before this same august gathering which sought to rationalize the role of ODA within the context of Ghana’s imminent transition to a middle income country and the prospects of the emerging oil industry. I believe there was much uncertainty on how and to what extent our development partners would be positioned to continue to support Ghana’s development in view of these pending economic gains. Today, I am privileged to participate in this 17th Consultative Group which has moved beyond the uncertainties to deliberate on the influence our partnership will wield within the changing economic landscape in Ghana. On behalf of the President of the Republic of Ghana, I extend a special warm welcome to you all, recognizing the influential roles you have played and continue to play in shaping the development and transformation of this country. Gathered under the theme “Leveraging Partnership in a transitional middle income economy for sustained economic growth”, I expect that deliberations here will conclude with concrete steps on how we can work together in a spirit of mutual cooperation and respect to deliver on the development priorities necessary to consolidate Ghana’s middle income status and accelerated economic growth. It is always a pleasure to join in a participatory dialogue like this that provides some retrospective account of how far we have come as a country. Such a dialogue also maps the way we will engage in the future to sustain and enhance the development results achieved.
32nd Meeting of the Convergence Council of WAMZ July 26, 2013
Source: ministry_of_finance_ghana
Date: 2012-07-06

On behalf of the Convergence Council and myself, I will like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Government and People of the Republic of Ghana for hosting the meetings of the West African Monetary Zone(WAMZ). It need not be over emphasized that over the years, we have expended so much resources and time into the WAMZ project. A lot has been achieved but a lot more still need to be done. If there is any message that needs to be re-echoed in this august meeting, it should be that we have an abiding faith in the WAMZ project. Fellow Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen, in spite of the benefits of a single currency, the challenges of creating a monetary union are daunting.Let me therefore emphasize that in order for our monetary union to be successfully launched, it is of utmost importance that a high degree of consistent macroeconomic convergence, complemented by financial sector integration, trade integration, as well as the modernization of payments system infrastructure be attained by member countries. In the area of convergence, a key challenge facing the zone is the attainment of sustained compliance with the macroeconomic convergence criteria, specifically with respect to the inflation and fiscal deficit targets.Although performance has improved over the years, they both remain a challenge. This constitute a genuine cause for concern, especially, as observed in the Euro Zone, unsustainable fiscal position in one country may have negative repercussions on the other members of the union. This highlights the need for closer fiscal and monetary policy co-ordination towards the growth and stability objectives
Keynote Address by Hon. Dr. Kwabena Duffuor at the Ghana EITI Breakfast Meeting on the Ghana EITI Draft Bill
Source: ministry_of_finance_ghana
Date: 2012-07-13

I recall, during my inauguration of the expanded Ghana EITI National Steering Committee in September 2010 when the initiative was being extended to the oil and gas sector, that I mentioned that the value EITI can add to the governance of our natural resources sector can be enhanced if its fundamental role of publishin However, I have been reliably informed that earlier EITI Audit Reports have suffered from lack of cooperation from some of the extractive companies and some national revenue management institutions to disclose information for the preparation of the EITI reports. This constitutes one of the most critical barriers to the EITI implementation in the country. To address this challenge stakeholders have called for legal backing of the Ghana EITI to ensure that government institutions and all companies in the extractive industry disclose their payments and receipts periodically. g or putting accurate information in the public domain is done regularly and timely. In fact we expect timely and accurate information to enable us address systemic problems on time. The regular publication of timely, reliable and easily accessible financial information disclosed by governments and companies and subject to third-party verification is at the core of the EITI model of improving natural resources governance. Honorable Members, it is the opinion of EITI stakeholders that while the EITI can deliver many benefits as a stand-alone initiative, it is likely to work particularly better when there is a long term strategy for mainstreaming it to improve governance of extractive industries. This mainstreaming can be achieved through a well thought out law backing the initiative and addresses some of the implementation challenges. So far countries like Nigeria, Liberia and Azerbaijan have legislated the EITI in order to remove all the legal obstacles to the implementation of EITI in their countries whilst other countries are in the process of doing so. Ghana has gone through a series of consultative processes including a legal review of some of the country’s laws that promote transparency and accountability. The EITI legislation has, therefore, begun in earnest.
Budget Speech for the 2012 Financial Year
Source: ministry_of_finance_ghana
Date: 2012-12-31

There has been a significant growth in real GDP from 4.0 per cent in 2009, to 7.7 per cent in 2010 and 13.6 per cent in 2011 on provisional basis, making Ghana one of the fastest growing economies in the world in 2011. Since the NDC came to power, I have had the singular honour and privilege to present three Budget Statements and Economic Policies on behalf of His Excellency Prof. John Evans Atta Mills to this august House. The implementation of all these budgets has significantly improved the standard of living of Ghanaians. There has been a significant growth in real GDP from 4.0 per cent in 2009, to 7.7 per cent in 2010 and 13.6 per cent in 2011 on provisional basis, making Ghana one of the fastest growing economies in the world in 2011. Under the able leadership of His Excellency, Prof John Evans Atta Mills, coupled with the hard work of our cocoa farmers and other stakeholders, Ghana has now attained the 1.0 million metric tonnes of cocoa production for the first time in our history ahead of the 2012 schedule.
35th Meeting of the Technical Committee of WAMZ, 22-23 July 2013
Source: ministry_of_finance_ghana
Date: 2013-07-22

Distinguished Delegates ,Ghana remains committed to the WAMZ programme,in spite of the current fiscal challenges we are faced with.Having first attained a lower middle for improved socio-economic infrastructure for a successful consolidation if that status.We are also committed to seeing to it that all bottlenecks in the growth and development process are speedily removed in order to free the economy for rapid expansion,sustainable job creation and enhanced food security for citizens. Ladies and Gentlemen,the report on Member States indicate that the Zone sustained its performance on the convergence criteria with a score of 66.7 percent.However,no country satisfied all the four primary criteria during the last assessment period.Four member states coplied with three criteria each,while two countries attained two criteria each.
Speech Delivered by Hon. Seth Terkper at the SSPP National Forum
Source: ministry_of_finance_ghana
Date: 2013-08-06

As has been mentioned earlier, the SSPP was initiated after several unsuccessful attempts at removing disparities and inequities that characterized the public sector pay administration system. The comprehensive 22-Level Ghana Universal Salary Structure (GUSS) introduced in 1999 failed to achieve its intended objectives partly because sections of the public services were allowed to opt out while its implementing agencies lacked legal backing. Government, therefore, sees the SSPP as a rational response to the challenges that plague the public service pay administration system. Significant progress has been made so far in the implementation of the SSPP. Available statistics indicate that, as of June 2013, over 99 percent of eligible public service workers from 119 public institutions have been migrated onto the SSSS.The policy has resulted in significant increases in the average salaries of public sector employees. We are told that SNNIT data show that the average salary per worker in the country is now higher in the public sector compared to what obtains in the private sector. Though there are some post-migration challenges, which the Fare Wages and Salaries Commission, together with the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, the Ministry of Finance, and the Organised Labour,are working around the clock to resolve, there is absolutely no doubtthat, the policy has positively affected living standards of public servants and their families.
Keynote Address by H.E. John Mahama, at the SSPP National Forum
Source: ministry_of_finance_ghana
Date: 2013-08-06

Four years ago, we begun a journey to rationalize compensation for workers on the principle espoused in our constitution of equal pay for work of equal value. It was a journey fraught with both opportunities and challenges, but we were determined to work together to ensure that this more equitable system for remunerating public sector employees in Ghana became a reality. As with every major exercise or operation embarked upon, we must at a time pause and look back and reflect on how far we have come, what challenges we have faced and ask ourselves “what is the way forward to achieve the objective we set ourselves”. Ladies and gentlemen, we have reached one such point in our quest to achieve an equitable and fair remuneration system. It is therefore my pleasant duty to join you at this august event that gives us the opportunity to pause and reflect on the theme, “Building National Consensus on the Sustainability of the Single Spine Pay Policy (SSPP)”. Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, this is not the first time we have attempted to achieve a universal salary structure that attempts to reward public sector employees equitably and fairly. We all remember the "rice water" that failed to cook and was later abandoned.
Remarks by Hon. Seth Terkper on the Eurobond on the GSE
Source: ministry_of_finance_ghana
Date: 2013-08-28

Over the past two decades, the GSE has provided a platform for companies to raise capital and also the investor community both domestic and foreign to invest in equities and bonds including the three year, five years and the recent seven year bonds issued by Government. The high level of confidence investors have in the exchange is underscored by its accolade as one of the best performing markets in Africa in terms of returns to investors. I applaud the GSE management for their hard work. As many of you may recall, the Ghana Eurobond was officially issued on 7 August 2013. The final Eurobond size was $1 billion issued at a coupon rate of 7.875%. Currently, the bond is trading at 8.17% on the Irish Stock Exchange in Dublin, The Republic of Ireland and today, we will launch the second leg of the Eurobond trading on the Ghana Stock market. This is significant in many ways. Although we already have the Ghana 2017 Eurobond trading in global financial markets, this recent issue for the first time offered local investors the opportunity to purchase the Eurobond. I was particularly happy to observe participation by some Ghanaian institutional investors at the issue and local investors now hold some $16.5 million of the Ghana 2023 Eurobond. With this listing; these investors as well as prospective ones can trade them on the secondary market here in Ghana.
GoG Policy Statement on the Ghanaian Economy
Source: ministry_of_finance_ghana
Date: 2014-04-01

Since my appearance before this august House in November 2013, several developments in the economy-particularly the sharp depreciation of the cedi in the first quarter of 2014, rising interest rates, and the adverse global environment on commodity prices, have posed challenges to the achievement of the 2014 economic programme. However, it is the resolve of Government to strengthen the measures outlined in the 2014 Budget to enable our country confront these essentially short-term challenges and meet our development goals. Following the President's State of the Nation Address, the nation listened attentively to the spirited debates and issues raised by Honorable members of Parliament around the challenges and prospects of our country. Honorable members maintained a nationalistic and informed posture in addressing the major themes of His Excellency’s address to the House. Similarly, business leaders, civil society, social and development partners have raised pertinent issues regarding economic management and implementation of various policies. Mr. Speaker, in managing the economy, we shall be guided by several of these inputs. Mr. Speaker, this particular Statement is dedicated to the consolidation efforts of government and demonstrates cumulative policy consistency of all the measures since 2013 to bring our fiscal situation under control. Several of the measures are structural and address the medium-term prospects of the country. As will be shown, the measures are far-reaching and it is our expectation that they will clarify the commitment of Government and the people of Ghana in bringing the imbalances that have occurred in recent years under control.