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Along the west-ern coast of theAfrican conti-nent, the na-tion of Ghana

has been exemplar y toother countries in the re-gion, by boasting an ef-fective and stabledemocracy, recent record-breaking economicgrowth, and thriving in-dustries such as energy,agriculture and mining.

As a result of such pros-perity, Ghana has attractedforeign investors from allover the world including theUnited States – which planson investing $1.2 billion –and China, helping the coun-try achieve a 13.4% increasein GDP and expected sus-tained growth over the nextfive years.

This influx of capital inGhana pushes the once poorcountry into the realm of amiddle-income economy,enjoying the resources to in-vest in a more modern in-frastructure for industry andagriculture, finding renew-able energy sources for sus-tainability, and providingbetter medicine and betterquality of life for its citizens.

“Ghana has succeeded dueto the vision of the leadershipof the country, who believethat we need to have a peace-ful, stable society to create astable foundation to supportour sustainable develop-ment, to uplift the peoplefrom the quagmire of pover-ty and achieve a goodlifestyle,” remarks AlhajiMuhammad Mumuni,Ghana’s Minister of ForeignAffairs and Regional Inte-gration, adding that since thepromulgation of the FourthRepublican Constitution in1992 the countr y hasachieved transparency andgood governance.

This political stability hasgone hand in hand with thecountry’s industry. After be-coming the first Sub-Saha-ran African country to gainits independence in 1957, thegroundwork was quickly andefficiently laid for the eco-nomic success the countryis now achieving.

“We had a visionary leaderwho put together a very ro-bust infrastructure for thetimes, in terms of energy, ac-

cess to ports, and road in-frastructure, and put us onthis path very early on,” ex-plains Joseph Samuel Annan,Deputy Minister for Tradeand Industry in Ghana. Hehighlights this as a key fac-tor for the country becomingthe choice for many foreigndirect investments (FDI).

Further FDI was attractedto the country with the land-mark discovery of the JubileeOil Field in 2007 in the At-lantic Ocean just 37 miles offGhana’s west coast. Energyrevenues accounted for 5-6%of the GDP growth in 2011,after large quantities of oilwere extracted in 2010.

Although the oil and gasindustry has accounted forsignificant economic growth,the government is strivingfor a diversified economy,emphasizing renewable en-ergy sources and using localmaterials to ensure long-term sustainability. Two ofGhana’s main energy com-

panies, Volta River Author-ity and GRIDCo, are leadingthe way in solar and windpower in line with the gov-

ernment’s initiative callingfor 10% of the energy supplyto be derived from renew-able sources by 2020.

The mining sector also re-mains one of the most im-portant industries in thecountry with Ghana being

the second-largest produc-er of gold oil in Africa and theseventh largest in the world.Whereas mining activitiesaccount for 42% of Ghana’sforeign exports they alsobring in 28% of its internalrevenue.

Furthermore, agricultureis seen as a main driving eco-nomic force, employing 55%of the workforce. In 2011Ghana produced over 1 mil-lion tons of cocoa for the firsttime ever, increasing its out-put by 50% over the previ-ous year.

“The cocoa industry is thelifeblood of the country. Ikeep telling people that oilwill run out one day but co-coa trees can survive for 50years or more,” says SherryAyittey, Minister of Envi-ronment, Science and Tech-nology, noting theimportance of maintaininga stable environment foragriculture, one of the keyinitiatives for her depart-ment.

In addition to ensuringsustainable agriculture, thegovernment is also imple-menting an initiative to uselocal building materials to-ward infrastructure andhousing construction, whichcould save the country $200million and provide em-ployment for much of the lo-cal workforce.

“I think that the opportu-nities within real estate andhousing are immense. Thereis a housing deficit of 1.5 mil-lion,” says Enoch T. Mensah,Minister of Water, Resources,Works and Housing.

Aside from closing thehousing gap, Mr. Mensah al-so explains that his ministryis committed to expandingthe water treatment facili-ties in the country, to keep upwith the needs of a growingpopulation, with a goal ofreaching 10 million gallons ofwater per day.

Ensuring clean, potablewater for the entire popula-tion is one component of thegovernment’s investment inthe health of the citizens aswell as continuing to reducethe rate of HIV, malaria andtuberculosis. Ghana is alsocurrently attracting bothmedical tourism to the coun-try, and investors in its phar-maceutical industry.

Ghana has seen vast im-provements in almost everysector, greatly improving thelives of its citizens and posi-tioning it at the forefront ofinternational business andinvestments.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Our World

GHANABeacon of democracy

John Dramani Mahama, who hasserved as a member of the Pan

African Parliament, was sworn inas new President, following the

death of John Atta Mills on July 24, 2012

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This supplement to USA TODAY was produced by United World Ltd., Suite 179, 34 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0RH – Tel: +44 20 7409 3106 – [email protected] – www.unitedworld-usa.com

President of Ghana H.E. ProfJohn Atta Mills, known for help-ing his country flourish eco-nomically thanks to the oilreserves found two years be-fore he took office in 2009,passed away on the 24th of July.

Elected to office with amargin of less than 1%, Millsdefeated his opponent, Nana

Akufo-Addo, making him thethird president of the 4th Re-public of Ghana, institutedin 1992.

Vice President John DramaniMahama was sworn in as thenew president of Ghana and willface reelection in December ofthis year, which Mills sought be-fore his death. He is the only

head of state in the country toever pass away during his term.

Mills had an impressive aca-demic and professional careerstudying at the London Schoolof Economics and Political Sci-ence and later earning a PhD inlaw at the University of Lon-don. This led to a teachingplacement in law at the Uni-versity of Ghana, later servingas a visiting professor at Tem-ple Law School in Philadelphiaand Leiden University in Hol-land. During his academic ca-

reer he wrote in various publi-cations about taxation.

In 1997 Mills became VicePresident of Ghana, alongsideformer President Jerry Rawl-ings, where he served until 2001before deciding to make a bidfor the presidency himself.

Mills presided over Ghanaduring a time of unprecedent-ed economic growth and po-litical stability. Under hisleadership, the country’s GDPgrew by 13.4% in 2011 and isprojected to continue growing

in the upcoming years. His ad-ministration was known fortransparency and political sta-bility.

In July 2009, H.E. Prof. Pres-ident Mills welcomed U.S. Pres-ident Obama to Ghana on thefirst stop of an Africa tour. TheObama administration workedclosely with the Mills’ admin-istration, promising an invest-ment of $1.2 billion gearedtowards further development ofthe economy and social infra-structure.

In memory of H.E. Prof. John Evans Atta MillsThe late Ghanaian President, and former VicePresident, H.E. Prof. John Atta Mills passed away inJuly during his first term as the head of the state,leaving behind a stronger, flourishing nation

Ghana is the region’s example of political stability and economicgrowth, focusing on attracting foreign investors and creating

sustainability through diversification

The Independence Arch,located in Accra,commemorates theindepedence Ghanaattained in 1957 from the United Kingdom

GHANA USAT 6PAGS.qxd 10/9/12 19:05 Page 1

Although much of the finan-cial world is struggling to re-cover in the aftermath of aninternational economic reces-sion, the Sub-Saharan Africancountry of Ghana’s GDP grewby a record-breaking 13.4% lastyear, making it the one of thefastest growing economies inthe world in 2011.

With the monetary policies ofthe Bank of Ghana significant-ly contributing to this growthand stability the country hasreached a single digit inflationrate of only 8.5% and has at-tracted a great deal of foreigndirect investment (FDI).

“The stability, democratic po-tential and policy frameworksthat we have been able to im-plement have led to increasingconfidence on a daily basis inGhana as a destination for FDI,”says Deputy Minister of Trade,Dr. Joseph Samuel Annan,adding that Ghana has been arole model for other countries inthe region being the first to gainindependence as well as put amodern infrastructure in place.“The overall investment climateis such that FDI has increased ex-ponentially. Last year it increasedby approximately 500%.”

Much of the FDI originally

came as a result of the Jubilee OilField discovery, especially fromthe United States, the top in-vestor in the oil sector in Ghana,investing $407.2 million alone inthe first quarter of this year.

“We are building partnershipsbetween the United States andGhana,” says Alhaji MuhammadMumuni, Minister of ForeignAffairs and Regional Integra-tion, who recently visited Wash-ington DC striking a deal ofmore than $1.2 billion dollars offuture investments from theAmerican government inGhana. “That partnershipshould reflect an increase in thevolume, quality and balance oftrade and in FDI, to build a strongand resilient economy capableof producing sustainable jobsfor the people of Ghana.”

Although much of these in-vestments have gone to the en-ergy sector, Ghanaian officialscontinually seek diversificationto ensure a sustainable econo-my. Although 5-6% of the eco-nomic growth of the nearly 14%was due to the oil and gas sec-tor, the remainder can be at-tributed to other integralcomponents of the economy,such as agriculture.

“The Jubilee discovery has

had a much wider impact onthe economy at large, and thatalso attracts investments to oth-er sectors,” explains the CEO ofthe Ghana Chamber of Com-merce and Industry (GCCI),Emmanuel Doni-Kwame, not-ing that investors are attracted

to Ghana in part because the re-turn on investment is quite high.“With this kind of stability, onceyou invest money, it is reallysafe to do business here.”

On a local level, 92% of busi-nesses in Ghana are small andmedium-sized enterprises

(SMEs). The GCCI has just re-leased a five-year plan to en-able SMEs grow by usingmodern entrepreneurial prin-ciples and strategies.

“We want to encourage asmany SMEs who are makingrevenue and having some kind

of impact on the economy toregister. We want to assist inbuilding their capacity and for-malize the way they do things,”explains Mr. Doni-Kwame, cit-ing help with bookkeeping orbenefits from the governmentamong some of the incentivesto get involved with the GCCI’sprogram.

Along with this initiative tohelp SMEs grow, the industryhas been modernizing greatlywith a 10% increase in mobilebanking. Ghanian Minister ofFinance and Economic Plan-ning, Kwabena Duffuor states:“Mobile banking is everywhere.Farmers use cell phones, so thepenetration becomes easier.That is why you are seeing thebanking industry experiencinga boom.”

Distributed by USA TODAYGHANAThursday, September 20, 201222

Ghana’s banking sector hasbeen the driving force behindthe recent financial stabilityand economic growth in thecountry. The privately owneduniBank in particular hasmade significant strides inlending to small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs), whichaccount for 92% of the locallyowned businesses in Ghana.As well as working with com-panies on an international lev-el, it is putting a significantportion of its revenues to im-prove the community.

Although the banking sec-tor in Ghana is relativelycrowded with 28 banks, uni-Bank has a reputation as thetop lender for SMEs, provid-ing not only financial supportbut also advice.

“We are able to provide cred-it without insisting on signifi-cant collateral, which is one ofthe key obstacles in this area,”says Felix Nyarko-Pong, CEOof uniBank Ghana Limited,who elaborates that while thepolicies for helping SMEs toflourish are already in place,people still need easier accessto credit. “With a better un-derstanding of these SME busi-nesses, we have made it veryprofitable for both the busi-nesses and ourselves and have

provided the capacity devel-opment required in this area.”

UniBank also offers freeconsultancy aimed at thegrowth and development ofSMEs. Last year, the bank wonan award for exemplary advi-sory services.

In particular, uniBank pro-vides exemplary services forSMEs in the oil industry.

“We have established anenergy desk to focus on theoil industry as a whole andthe participation of SMEswithin the oil industry,” ex-plains Mr. Nyarko-Pong, not-ing that although Ghana isnow a middle-income econ-omy, further developmentwill be driven by the SMEs,

creating further opportuni-ties within the nation.

UniBank is also striving tomodernize the banking sec-tor by implementing its ownmobile banking program, Uni-mobile. Mr. Nyarko-Pongpoints out that considering al-most every adult has a cellphone the product allowsGhanaians to use banking ser-vices without having to bephysically present. Afterlaunching a campaign to cre-ate awareness for the Uni-mo-bile product, more than 500people signed only two days.

UniBank’s modern productsand easy access to loans con-tribute to the Ghanaian econ-omy, but the company is alsocommitted to Corporate So-cial Responsibility (CSR).

“For us in uniBank, CSR isnot a project, but rather a car-ing and supportive commu-nity partnering activity,” saysMr. Nyarko-Pong, highlight-ing health and education asthe principal issues tackled byuniBank. One of its biggesthealth initiatives organizesmedical missions where uni-Bank pays for doctors andmedicines and provided forareas of the country where thecitizens do not have access toproper medical care.

UniBank is a driving force forGhana’s SMEsSmall and medium size enterprises, especially those in the energy sector, thrive withthe support from this privately owned bank

“THE STABLEPOLITICALENVIRONMENT,GOODGOVERNANCE, ANDSKILLED SYSTEM HAVECONTRIBUTED TOWHAT YOU ARESEEING IN GHANATODAY. THEECONOMY ISBOOMING.”

KWABENA DUFFUOR,Minister of Finance

“FOR THE PAST FIVEYEARS, THE CENTRALBANK HAS BEENINSTRUMENTAL INENGINEERINGSTABILITY IN THEECONOMY.”

MILLISON NARH,Second Deputy Governor of theBank of Ghana

“GHANA HAS ATIME–TESTED,ROBUSTDEMOCRATICSTRUCTURE WHICHHAS BEENFASHIONED AROUNDTHE GHANAIANCULTURE, ETHOSAND BEHAVIORS.”

FELIX NYARKO-PONG,CEO of uniBank Ghana Ltd.

Ghana experienced record-breaking growth, whileattracting foreign direct investments, principally fromthe United States

At Ghana’s Ministry of Health (MOH), we know that

you cannot achieve real national development without

a healthy population. That’s why we are passionate

about the wellbeing of the Ghanaian people - our greatest

resource as a nation!

In order to actualize this vision, we have over the years

carefully crafted a harmonious working partnership with

the private sector in areas such as hospital infrastructure,

equipment and human resources development.

We very warmly welcome private sector players to partner

with us as we grow and improve Ghana’s health sector.

Building healthy partnerships for a better Ghana

Contact: +233 302 684 222, [email protected], www.ghana.gov.gh

Public Private Partnership Engagements for a Healthier and Better Ghana

uniBank opened its doors to customers in January, 2001

The second fastest-growingeconomy in the world in 2011

With 66% of Ghanaian adults still unbanked, Ghana’s retail banking sector represents a huge untapped market

“THE OVERALLINVESTMENTCLIMATE IS SUCHTHAT FDI HASINCREASEDEXPONENTIALLY.LAST YEAR ITINCREASED BYAPPROXIMATELY500%.”

DR. JOSEPH SAMUEL ANNAN,Deputy Minister of Trade

“WE ARE ABLE TOPROVIDE CREDITWITHOUTINSISTING ONSIGNIFICANTCOLLATERAL,WHICH IS ONE OFTHE KEYOBSTACLES INTHIS AREA.”

FELIX NYARKO-PONG,CEO of uniBank Ghana Ltd.




One of the key initiatives with the continuing improvementof medical care in Ghana under the Ministry of Health isreproductive and child health.

In Sub-Saharan Africa the maternal mortality rate hasdecreased by 26% since 1990 throughout the region, althoughwomen have a one in 31 chance of dying during pregnan-cy or childbirth, and this totals 570 deaths a day.

Ghana’s Minister of Health Alban S.K. Bagbin explainsthat this is an area that the country is investing in to signif-icantly lower this number by 2015, ideally as low as 185deaths for every 100,000 births.

“We need to make sure we eliminate these totally need-less deaths,” says Mr. Bagbin, pointing to education as a keypreventative measure. “We can just do a few critical inter-ventions in the health sector to make sure that we radical-ly reduce the rates that we currently have.”

The Minister highlights using modern technology, suchas online learning disseminated throughout the country,to help the local community better understand their ownsexual health.

Earlier this year, government officials, advocates and re-searchers from the African countries in the Sub-Saharan re-gion met in Uganda to discuss reproductive health andfamily planning.

Distributed by USA TODAY Thursday, September 20, 2012 33GHANA

As the African nation ofGhana grows in GDP, with anincrease of 13.4% last year, itis taking its place as a middleincome country which allowsthe government to continu-ally improve the health of thecitizens and promote policiesthat boost the quality of life.

“Health is the number onepriority of every individualin every society,” says AlbanS.K. Bagbin, Minister ofHealth in the Republic ofGhana, adding that the $1.2billion that the United Stateshas just invested in the coun-try will be crucial for vast im-provements to the healthsector.

“The first critical area issaving lives that are threat-ened by HIV/ AIDS. Sec-ondly, we should look athuman resource develop-ment, which is education.”

However, Mr. Bagbin notesthat the HIV rate is amongstthe lowest in the region at1.8%, down from its peak of4%. It still remains one of thegovernment’s key health ini-tiatives, along with sexuallytransmitted diseases, malar-ia – which accounts for 33%of the deaths in Ghana – tu-berculosis, reproductive andchild health, immunizationsand emergency care.

The Ministry of Health hasannounced its commitment topromoting proactive policies,provisions of universal accessto basic health service and theprovision of quality and af-fordable health care. It has al-so already made significantstrides in emergency care, in-vesting €10 million ($12.5 mil-lion) in 161 Mercedes Benzambulances with plans to pur-chase 200 more next year.

“The target is to get justover 1,000 in the system. Wewant each district to have noless than three ambulancesoperating and each munici-pality to have no less thanfour,” says Mr. Bagbin, elabo-rating the dire need for emer-

gency service vehicles withthe high rate of automobileaccidents in the country.

“We are also further equip-ping hospitals with equip-ment from the United Statesworth $267 million to seam-

lessly work with the ambu-lance service.”

Because of this high level ofcare being established inGhana, the country is experi-encing an influx of medicaltourism. The Minister says thecountry will focus on attract-ing more foreigners, medicallysupporting those from Africancountries in their region andeven from abroad.

Although the moderniza-tion and growth of the med-ical industry in Ghana isallowing the country to pro-vide better services to its cit-izens, currently only 30-35%of the prescription drugs inGhana are produced locally,leaving a huge deficit for po-tential foreign investors.

“We definitely import a lotmore of our drug require-ments, despite the fact thatwe have a number of phar-maceutical companies,” saysMr. Bagbin referring to thenearly 24 local enterprisesproducing prescription drugs.“They are definitely lookingfor partners to try and expandand improve the quality, effi-cacy, and usefulness of theirproducts.”

Whereas foreign invest-ment will be an essential com-ponent to the growth of theGhanaian medical industry,so will the return of many na-tive health workers to theircountry from abroad.

“I can assure you that cur-rently in Ghana health work-er migration, ‘brain drain’ isgoing out of fashion. We areenjoying a lot of ‘brain gain’now because we are gettingthe right things done,” re-marks Mr. Bagbin.

In fact, many professionals,even those practicing medi-

cine in the U.S. are returningto their homeland to set upprivate health practices. Forexample, a renowned Ghana-ian specialist in orthopedics,who previously practiced inthe United States, was com-missioned to set up a new hos-pital in the nation’s capital.

With more highly educat-ed professionals in the coun-try, the Ministry of Healthcan use these national re-sources to improve healtheducation initiatives to dis-seminate critical informationto the population rangingfrom hygiene and sanitationto maternity.

“Health is the number onepriority,” affirms Mr. Bagbin.“I believe the time to invest inthe sector is now and many ofour people are getting toknow and appreciate what ishappening in Ghana.”

Ministry of Healthstrives to improvemedical care for all Foreign investment and rise in GDP has allowed Ghana to invest in quality andaffordable medical services as well as proactive preventative initiatives

“I CAN ASSURE YOUTHAT CURRENTLY INGHANA HEALTHWORKERMIGRATION, ‘BRAINDRAIN’ IS GOINGOUT OF FASHION.WE ARE ENJOYING ALOT OF ‘BRAIN GAIN’NOW BECAUSE WEARE GETTING THERIGHT THINGSDONE.”

ALBAN S.K. BAGBIN,Minister of Health

Women’s medicine andmortality rates

Ghana’s Ministry of Health is investingin drastically lowering maternal andchild mortality by 2015



With increasing modernizationthroughout the West Africannation of Ghana, the Volta Riv-er Authority (VRA) – one ofthe nation’s most significantelectricity enterprises – is quick-ly developing projects to meetthese growing demands for in-dustrial, commercial and do-mestic power, while continuallyfocusing on becoming a leaderin clean energy development.

With 67% of Ghanaians nowhaving access to electricity, upfrom 15% in 1990, the VRA – inclose collaboration with the oth-er major companies in its field,the Electricity Company ofGhana and Ghana Grid Com-pany (GRIDCo) – will join thegovernment in focusing on rais-ing that number, as well asputting in place the necessary in-frastructure needed to produceincreased electricity for the na-tion and in the future, neigh-boring countries. This will alsocontribute greatly to the nation’soverall wealth, and has ac-counted for 5-6% of the rise inGDP of the 13.4% total.

Ghana currently produces2,000 megawatts of electricity,with the goal of reaching 5,000megawatts within the next threeyears. The VRA will play a sig-nificant role in achieving thisnumber.

“Today the VRA has plans inmotion to put in about 500megawatts in the next threeyears. We also have feasibilitystudies and plans under way todevelop another 900 megawattsin five to seven years,” outlinesKweku Andoh Awotwi, CEOof the VRA since 2009 and pre-viously the President of GhanaChamber of Mines as well asthe former Managing Directorof the Ashanti Goldfields.

Mr. Awotwi highlights theprojects that will allow the VRAto achieve its goal of 900megawatts: first by using Ghanagas from the Jubilee Oil Fieldsand second, by taking part asa major player in a West AfricanPower Pool (WAPP)-spon-sored project, which will notonly bring power to Ghana butalso to other WAPP membercountries.

Aside from the VRA’s com-mitment to enhancing the elec-tricity supply within Ghana, ithas also relentlessly advocat-ed the need for renewable en-

ergy. The VRA primarily useshydro and electric power, butMr. Awotwi sees tremendouspotential for further develop-ment of solar energy as a re-newable source, drawingattention to ongoing projectsto add both wind and solar en-ergy.

“If you look at solar radiationmaps, West Africa receives twiceas much sunlight and radiationas Europe on an annual basis,”explains Mr. Awotwi, mention-ing that although solar has al-ways been an expensive sourceof energy, the recent prolifera-tion within the market hascaused a drop of almost 50% inthe cost. “The VRA has acquired

four land sites to build a mini-mum 10 MW of power. The po-tential is clear and is real.”

These measures are in linewith the Ghanaian govern-ment’s recent legislation, theRenewable Energy Act, whichcalls for 10% of the country’s

energy supply to be from greensources by 2020. Much of the in-vestments for these renewablesources will come from foreigninvestments such as the Unit-ed States and China.

Moreover, last year, the U.S.overtook China as the biggestinvestor in renewable energy inthe West African nation withplans to invest $1.2 billion inthe energy sector. According toMr. Awotwi, who himself hasspent a considerable amount oftime in the States during his uni-versity studies at both Stanfordand Yale University, Americancompanies have been involvedwith the energy sector in Ghanasince the Akosombo Dam andlater went on to help build thefirst thermal plant using Gen-eral Electric machines.

“The United States wants tocollaborate and partner with

Ghana in order to really unleashthat potential,” says Mr. Awotwi.“Number one, the United Statesunderstands the issues; sec-ondly, the companies that haveworked with us in Ghana comefrom the United States; andthirdly, that collaboration wantsto continue.”

Having this foreign direct in-vestment is important for thecontinued infrastructure de-velopment in the country, butthe VRA also sees the tremen-dous importance of corporatesocial responsibility within itshome country. The companyhas developed schools, hospi-tals and social intervention ac-tivities. Mr. Awotwi himself isalso the Chairman of the non-profit PlaySoccer organization,using sports to encourage thedevelopment of underprivi-leged children.

In the West African country ofGhana, 55% of its economy is de-pendent on agriculture, withthe cocoa industry consideredto be a key driving force. Withthe recent worldwide droughts– from which Ghana has notbeen immune – the Ministryof Environment, Science andTechnology has shown visionand commitment to ensure so-lutions to climate-related issues,not only in agriculture, but al-so in housing, water and infra-structure. Additionally, theMinistry is advocating for theuse of local building materialsas well as corporate responsi-bility within local communities.

“The government is now

bringing all of thepolicymakers

together to seehow best we

can come upwith policiesoriented to

support ournational climatechange policies,and develop agreen economywith a low carbonfootprint,” explains

Sherry Ayittey,Ghana’s Minister of

Environment, Sci-ence and Technolo-gy. She adds that alongwith the government’s

renewable energy initiative tohave 10% of its energy con-sumption provided by greensources by 2020, her depart-ment is dedicated to R&D tosupport sustainability in theagricultural sector, trying to de-velop measures such as drought-resistant crops and innovativeirrigation measures to ensuresustainability and food stabili-ty for Ghanaians.

This economic stability is fur-ther enhanced by the ministry’sinitiative to use more local build-ing materials for government in-frastructure projects andhousing. With a current housingdeficit of 1.5 to 2.5 million units,the subsequent building will not

only provide employment forthe local workforce but also savethe country $200 million annu-ally in importing materials.

According to Ms. Ayittey,Ghana has three clay deposito-ries that can last for 3,000 yearsand are an integral part of brickproduction.

The country is also rich inminerals and relies heavily onmining. Ms. Ayittey indicatesthat the government monitorsmining companies to ensurethey are positively contributingto their communities. “We wantpeople to know that when amining company enters a com-munity, the community mustbenefit directly.”

Heavily reliant onagriculture, the country’sMinistry of Environment,Science and Technologyventures to addressclimate-related issues anddevelop innovativesolutions

The Volta River Authorityprovides Ghana’s industrial,commercial and domesticpower while looking toharness solar power

VRA leads in multimodal electrification

The Volta River Authority operatesthe Akosombo Dam, which wasbuilt with the help of U.S.investors

“IF YOU LOOK ATSOLAR RADIATIONMAPS, WEST AFRICARECEIVES TWICE ASMUCH SUNLIGHTAND RADIATION ASEUROPE ON ANANNUAL BASIS. THEPOTENTIAL IS REALAND CLEAR.”

KWEKU ANDOH AWOTWI,CEO of the Volta River Authority

Environmentalsustainability is keyinitiative

“THE GOVERNMENT IS [COMING] UPWITH POLICIES ORIENTED TODEVELOPING A GREEN ECONOMYWITH A LOW CARBON FOOTPRINT.”

SHERRY AYITTEY, Minister of Environment Science and Technology


Ghana has chosen the path oflow carbon growth and agreen economy



Distributed by USA TODAY Thursday, September 20, 2012 55GHANA

GRIDCo thrives in present,ensures successful futureThe African energy company is integral in equipping Ghana with quality electricity while preparing the infrastructure for an ever-modernizing country

The Ghana Grid Company(GRIDCo), a public sectorenergy enterprise incorpo-rated in 2006, especiallyprides itself on two things:being the “backbone” to pow-er delivery in Ghana and be-coming the “company of thefuture” within the sector.

With unprecedented eco-nomic growth in the GDP of13.4% last year, makingGhana the second fastestgrowing economy in theworld, GRIDCo, along withother dominant companiesin the energy sector, is con-sidered a substantial factor inthe economic growth of thenation.

“Any energy sector in theworld is always the pinnacleand the backbone of theeconomy. Ghana’s energysector plays the same role,”says GRIDCo’s CEO CharlesDarku, who worked at VoltaRiver Authority (VRA) formore than 27 years afterstudying at Harvard Univer-sity. “We have a power sec-tor that is undoubtedly oneof the best in Africa. The roleof the power sector is to en-sure that there is enough elec-tricity – both in quality andquantity – to drive business.”

Currently in Ghana about68% of people have access toreliable electricity, with theaim to have full coverage by2020. According to Mr.Darku, people are using

higher levels of electricity toconduct more activities thanfive to 10 years ago. He adds,“This is a good sign that theeconomy is moving forwardand the power available todrive Ghana in the right di-rection is doing exactly whatit is supposed to do.”

Although GRIDCo hasdone significant work towardproviding the country withquality electricity, the com-pany emphasizes its effortsbeing put into preparing forthe energy industry a decadefrom now. Much of theirwork is going into bothstrengthening and expand-ing the power grid in Ghana.In a recent €82.2 million($103 million) loan deal withthe European bank SocieteGenerale, GRIDCo will al-locate the money to bothmodernizing substations andexpanding the northern linesof the energy grid.

“The energy sector has tobe ahead of the game in thesense that it should be aheadof demand. There is a grow-ing interest in Ghana, whichcan be seen in the increasinglevels of investment and de-velopment,” explains Mr.Darku. “With oil and gascoming on stream there isgoing to be additional in-vestment, so we have to beahead in terms of infra-structure and the supply.”

The U.S. is the top investorin the energy sector, invest-

ing over $407 million so farthis year. Mr. Darku alsopoints out that the Ghanaianenergy sector was modeledafter the American system,specifically the TennesseeValley Authority hydro sys-tem. Because of the similar-ities with the technologies

used in the systems, Ameri-can engineers would be ableto easily assimilate to a workenvironment in Ghana.

With an ever-growingnumber of foreign investorsand a modernizing culture,Ghana relies on its energysector.

“Society has become evenmore dependent on electric-ity, to the point where we sim-ply cannot fail to emphasizeits importance,” says Mr.Darku.

“The economy is held to-gether by the quality of theenergy sector.”

“WE HAVE A POWERSECTOR THAT ISUNDOUBTEDLY ONEOF THE BEST INAFRICA. THE ROLE OFTHE POWER SECTORIS TO ENSURE THATTHERE IS ENOUGHELECTRICITY – BOTHIN QUALITY ANDQUANTITY – TODRIVE BUSINESS.”

CHARLES DARKU,CEO of GRIDCo

$103millionEuropeandeal A recent loan agreement be-tween the African energycompany Ghana Grid Com-pany (GRIDCo) and the largeEuropean bank Societe Gen-erale, based in Paris, France,for €82.2 million ($103 mil-lion) will significantly helpfinance the development ofthe energy sector in Ghana.

While about €40 million willbe used to modernize the oldsubstations built in the 1960’sthat are currently showingsigns of deterioration, the oth-er half of the financing will gotoward completing a line innorthern Ghana.

“The northern lines were firstbuilt to serve the needs we had20 years ago, but there has beenso much growth that this is nolonger feasible,” explains GRID-CO’s CEO Charles Darku, re-ferring to the Tumu-Han-Watransmission project. “This newline will ensure that the quali-ty of supply in the north is justas good as in the south.”

Societe Generale indicatedthe bank’s enthusiasm for help-ing the Ghanaian governmentachieve their goal of reaching5,000 megawatts.

Allies in theenergysector Ghana and the United Stateshave always had an exception-ally strong relationship espe-cially within the energy sector.American investments now sur-pass the Chinese with $407.2million in the first quarter of2012 and an expected $1.2 bil-lion to be invested directly intoenergy development.

“I think the relationship ismutually beneficial, which hasgrown by mutual interests, andI think it will develop further inthat direction,” says Ghana GridCorporation’s (GRIDCo) CEOCharles Darku, who explainsthat it is not only the invest-ments but also the cultural tiesthat facilitate the two countriesworking together. “ManyGhanaians have family inAmerica and have been edu-cated or trained there. We havereturned and brought Ameri-can approaches and work eth-ic to our businesses.”

Mr. Darku, who studied pub-lic administration at HarvardUniversity, explains that with asmall time difference, commonapproach to trade, and manysimilarities with the technolo-gies and infrastructure used,Americans and Ghanaians canwork easily together within theirrespective energy sectors.

GRIDCo develops renewable energiesGRIDCo is focusing on further development of solar and wind power, aligning itself with the government’s initiative

With a vision toward the fu-ture of Ghana’s energy sec-tor, Ghana Grid Company(GRIDCo) is especially fo-cused on alternative energysources as an integral partof its future development.

“We are taking renewableenergy very seriously,” ex-plains the CEO of GRIDCo,Charles Darku, citing solar

energy as having high po-tential but not discardingwind as a viable alternative.“We think that renewablesoffer us an opportunity toget power into the hands ofordinary people in a wholenew way, and make powermore readily available.”

The company’s visionparallels the Ghanaian gov-

ernment’s recent legislationcalled the Renewable Ener-gies Act, which aims tohave 10% of energy con-sumption provided by alter-native energy sources by2020.

Ghana’s Minister for En-vironment, Science andTechnology, Sherry Ayittey,notes that the bill guaran-

tees private investment andopens up opportunities forpublic-private partnerships.She highlights that this willguarantee various opportu-nities for harnessing possi-bilities in the country.

“We know that we can geta lot of wind energy, con-verting waste into energyand also solar energy. In-

vestment in solar energy,compared to investment infossil fuels and hydro, ismore environmentallyfriendly,” Ms. Ayittey says.

Apart from governmentlegislation GRIDCo, a pub-lic sector company, is tak-ing the initiative to explorerenewable energies and seehow to integrate them into

the national grids throughorganizing a workshop.

“The discussion was ledby a world renowned expertfrom General Electric,” ex-plains Mr. Darku. “Integrat-ing renewables into powergrids has its own chal-lenges, and that is what weare sensitizing to throughthis two-day workshop.”

CHARLESDARKU,CEO of GRIDCo




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In a country with endlesssunshine, 335 miles ofsandy coastline and richcultural and historical sites,Ghana’s potential for abooming tourism industryis huge, especially duringthis moment of sustainedpolitical stability and eco-nomic boom.

“In Ghana, we are blessedwith a diversity of tourismproducts. If you talk aboutarts and culture, we haveour very own festivals, mu-sic, dances, food and tex-ti les ,” says GhanaianMinister of Tourism, AkuaDansua, praising the varietyof types of tourism in thecountry including eco, ed-ucative and domestic. “Thestability, the environment,the weather and the hos-pitable people are all sig-nificant selling points.”

This appeal is not goingunnoticed worldwide:Ghana was named amongthe top 10 places to visit in2012 by Frommers, citingits history, beaches and cul-ture as unique points of in-terest.

A cultural site of partic-ular note is the Nzulezu vil-lage, a candidate fornomination on the UN-ESCO’s World Heritage list,which is an entire settle-ment built on stilted hous-es over Lake Tadane in thewestern region of Ghana.

Also of great historicalimportance is the city ofCape Coast, the departurepoint for the highest num-

ber of African slaves sentto the New World and oneof the stops on PresidentBarack Obama’s Africa tourin 2009.

The country also enjoysnumerous natural resourcessuch as Mole Park , thelargest national park inGhana where visitors seeherds of elephants grazingnear a waterhole, antelopesrunning through the fields,

or monkeys swinging be-tween the trees. Aside fromother smaller national parksthroughout the countr y,tourists can visit waterfalls,lakes and traditional vil-lages.

With so much naturalrichness, one of the Min-istry of Tourism’s main ob-jectives is to develop a richtourism sector while pro-tecting its environment.

“The link betweentourism and environment iscrucial,” explains Ms. Dan-sua, highlighting the Col-laborative Actions forSustainable Tourism(COAST) project, whichcurrently protects the AdaSea region, which home tosome rare species of turtlesand mangrove farms. “Eco-tourism is a strategy of pro-moting tourism whilemanaging the environment.”

The COAST project alsostrives to train locals as tourguides, providing them withjob opportunities and help-ing the native populationsee the potential their liv-ing environment has for at-tracting tourists.

Ms. Dansua additionallypoints to domestic tourismas a means for national uni-ty and cohesion, highlight-ing the importance forGhanaians to move beyondtheir immediate environ-ment to understand the restof the country.

“At the end of the day asGhanaians we need to un-derstand our country bet-

ter before we can even in-vite somebody else to en-joy it with us ,” she says ,pointing to the Nzulezu vil-lage and Ankasa forest re-serve as potential touristdestinations.

Ghana has experienced arise in domestic tourism inrecent years and expects anincrease of internationalvisitors in the coming ones.

Recognizing the vast pos-sibility for attracting moretourists, the Ministry ofTourism is working to fur-ther develop an environ-ment conducive to handlea future influx, such as ne-gotiating with airlines formore affordable flights tothe country and facilitatingthe tourist visa process us-ing online technology.Working with local busi-nesses, the government isalso prioritizing budget ac-commodation in closeproximity to the maintourist sites, anticipatingfurther growth.

“Tourism plays a key rolein most world economies,”says Adrian Landry, Gen-eral Manager of Ghana’sLabadi Beach Hotel. “Everydollar spent by tourists inthe country is not only go-ing to the hotel directly,but it reaches the govern-ment and personnel whoare being employed. Web el ie ve that tour ism inGhana will grow as infra-structure improves and be-come a major componentof our GDP.”

One of the top 10 placesto visit in 2012Ghana has already grabbed the attention of European, American, and African travellers thanks to its bountiful beauty

“THE LINK BETWEENTOURISM ANDENVIRONMENT ISCRUCIAL.ECOTOURISM IS ASTRATEGY OFPROMOTINGTOURISM WHILEMANAGING THEENVIRONMENT.”

AKUA DANSUA,Minister of Tourism

The Labadi Beach Hotel is lo-cated very near the capital ofAccra. As the center of a coun-try with the second fastestgrowing economy of 2011 interms of GDP, Accra is a bur-geoning market ideal for in-vestors and anyone else lookingto do business in Ghana. It al-so offers ample opportunity toexperience the region’s rich cul-ture and diversity by visitingthe National Museum, seeing aperformance at the NationalTheater, spending the afternoonat the Makola Market, or goingfishing at the port in Jamestown.

Whatever their plans in Ac-cra may be, General ManagerAdrian Landry invites travel-ers to make themselves at homeat the Labadi Beach Hotel,where he and his staff havemanaged to combine the qual-ity and luxury of a world-classresort with their own Ghana-ian history and culture in mind.

More than feeling welcomedand at home in the hotel, Mr.Landry wants every guest toleave with a “positive feelingabout Ghana”. He believes thehotel’s success has resultedfrom each employee “feelingproud of [his] heritage, tradi-tions, and history”, and seeinghimself as “an ambassador forGhana”. This attitude is re-flected in everything, from thedecor to the exceptional servicethe staff provides.

The Labadi Beach Hotel isdesigned to reflect the rich tra-ditional culture and customs ofGhana. Mr. Landry says, “Eachsuite is named after one of theoriginal landowners or chiefsfrom the area.” The traditionaladinkra symbols from theGhanaian Adinkrahene, whichare also incorporated into thehotel design, take the authen-tic feel to a new level.

In addition to impressive aes-thetic designs, the hotel’s loca-tion has allowed for the creationof “a haven and oasis of peaceaway from the city.” The prop-erty contains numerous beau-tiful gardens, palm trees andnatural growth, and is home toa variety of natural wildlife. TheLabadi beach is private and con-

sidered the cleanest in the area.It is serviced by a wait staff, andfree of hagglers for guests’ con-venience. The hotel itself of-fers, among many otheramenities, a fitness center, spa,and meeting facilities, whichare soon to undergo renova-tion. The fitness center will betotally refurbished, the spa willgain international status, andthe conference room will seat400 attendees.

The hotel’s policy of sustain-ability will be improved uponwith the renovations. All of thefurniture will continue to beimported and made of woodfrom renewable forests. Ac-cording to Mr. Landry, at Laba-di Beach Hotel they “strive tohave the lowest possible impact

on the property and the envi-ronment.” This means they al-so make use of chemicals thatare ISO accredited, recycle greywater, and work to conserve en-ergy with heat pumps and LEDlights that all help reduce theircarbon footprint.

In short, for those looking toAfrica for a business venture ornew experience, the LabadiBeach Hotel offers both a gate-way and a getaway.

Despite recent setbacks in the global economy,businessmen and tourists alike are flying to the Ghanaiancoast and landing at the Labadi Beach Hotel, voted thebest hotel in all of West Africa two years running

Labadi BeachHotel, a gatewayand getaway

THE LABADI BEACHHOTEL IS A “HAVENAND OASIS OFPEACE AWAY FROMTHE CITY”.

ADRIAN LANDRY,General Manager of Labadi Beach Hotel

The hotel is set amidst tropical landscaped gardens and overlooks Labadi Beach


Documents

Ghana: USA Today Feature