TIG Post

Tag: Abu Jinapor

  • Akufo Addo has no favorite among NPP flagbearer candidates – Abu Jinapor

    Akufo Addo has no favorite among NPP flagbearer candidates – Abu Jinapor

    The Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has adopted former President John Agyekum Kufuor by refusing to hail one NPP flagbearer over the other.

    According to him, this calculated approach is meant to preserve the former President’s moral authority to reach out to all sides of the party and foster unity after what is expected to be a closely fought contest.

    Speaking on The Pulse on Thursday, January 15, Mr Jinapor explained on JoyNews that “we have the luck and fortune of having two former presidents in the party, and we must make maximum political use of that,” he said, adding that their neutrality places them in a strong position to help reconcile and bring the party together after the contest.

    Mr Jinapor said it is a good and smart move that the two respected party elders have not openly supported any candidate. According to him, staying neutral allows them to step in and bring people together if the party needs unity later on.

    He downplayed the importance of their personal choices, saying those views do not represent the President’s position and do not affect his neutrality in the race.

    While admitting that the competition is tough, Mr Jinapor said he is confident about the final result and believes Dr Mahamudu Bawumia will win the contest.

    The latest National Tracking Poll by Global InfoAnalytics has disclosed that 56 per cent of voters and 72 per cent of committed delegates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) wants former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as their flagbearer for the 2028 general elections.

    According to the poll, 28 per cent voters are rooting for former Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, with 6 per cent for Dr Bryan Acheampong and Dr Yaw Osei-Adutwum and 4 percent supporting Kwabena Agyapong.

    19 per cent of NPP delegates want Kennedy Agyapong while Dr Bryan Acheampong records 4 per cent, Dr Osei-Adutwum 3 per cent, and Kwabena Agyapong 1 per cent.

    The poll was conducted between December 1 and December 21, this year across all 16 regions of the country. Methods used include, a combination of web-based, telephone and face-to-face interviews.

    In October 2025, the Pan-African civil society organisation, Sanity Africa, which predicted the victory of Bernard Baidoo of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the tightly contested Akwatia by-election, released its Phase Two survey on the NPP presidential primaries.

    According to the organisation’s survey, there has been a shift in the landscape as the party gears up towards the January 2026 primaries.

    The abridged October report suggests that Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, popularly known as Ken, has strengthened his lead among NPP delegates, commanding 53.1% of voting intentions, which represents a 1.7 % point increase from the Phase One survey conducted in July.

    Dr Mahamudu Bawumia (DMB), trails with 39.0%, indicating a 3.2-point drop. Behind them are Dr Bryan Acheampong at 5.0% (up 1.9 points), Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum at 2.0% (down 1.0 point), and Ing. Kwabena A. Agyepong at 0.9% (rising from 0.3%).

    The results of the survey carried out between July and October 2025 came from a sample of 15,000 delegates from an estimated 218,000 in the expanded voter album across all 276 constituencies.

    It boasts a 99% confidence level with a ±5% margin of error. At the regional level, Ken Agyapong sits atop as a leading candidate in ten regions out of Ghana’s 16, including strongholds such as Ashanti (54.8%), Central (69.0%), and Eastern (54.8%).

    His biggest contender, Dr Bawumia, on the other hand, still holds his lead in the Northern sector, thus with an advantage in the rest of the six regions. He leads in the North East (70.0%) and Upper West (60.2%). Competitive races are unfolding in Bono East, Savannah, and Upper East, where margins remain slim.

    Notable shifts include Dr Bawumia widening his lead in the North East Region from 51.6% to 70.0%, while Ken strengthened his position in Volta (50.8%) and Bono (53.0%).

    Dr Bryan Acheampong registered significant gains in his home region of Eastern, rising to 21.7%. Sanity Africa noted that these shifts reflect evolving delegate sentiments influenced by campaign strategies and regional dynamics.

    The organisation emphasised that while Ken Agyapong currently has the upper hand, the contest remains fluid.

    Endorsements, messaging, and campaign strategies, it said, are expected to play critical roles in shaping the outcome.

    With Phase Three of the survey scheduled for release in January 2026, Sanity Africa concluded that Ken may be the one to beat, but the race is far from over.

    Meanwhile, Global InfoAnalytics tracking poll named former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as the people’s preferred candidate to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) into the 2028 general election against his closest contender, former Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong.

    The poll suggests that 57% of voters prefer Dr Bawumia as the party’s presidential candidate, while 29% picked Kennedy Ohene Agyapong.

    The other contenders, i.e., former Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, secured 6%, Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Bryan Acheampong, polled 5%, while former NPP General Secretary, Kwabena Agyapong, registered 3%.

    In the critical swing regions of Greater Accra, Central, and Western, Dr Bawumia also leads decisively with 57%, followed by Kennedy Agyapong at 32%. Dr Adutwum and Dr Acheampong each secured 4%, while Kwabena Agyapong obtained 3%.

    The survey further indicates that in a potential runoff between Dr Bawumia and Kennedy Agyapong, Dr. Bawumia would extend his lead with 62% against Agyapong’s 38%.

  • Issue of public land management has always been a tough one – Abu Jinapor

    Issue of public land management has always been a tough one – Abu Jinapor

    Former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor has addressed the ongoing discussions about public land transactions, pointing out that land management in Ghana has always been a complicated matter.

    “The issue of land administration has always been a major challenge with deep historical roots,” the former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources explained on Pan African Television,.

    “Unlike East African countries, where most lands belong to the state, Ghana’s lands are largely owned by stools, skins, clans, and families, with state lands comprising only about 10%.”

    He explained that the complex land ownership system creates challenges in governance.

    “You have families selling the same land multiple times, creating legal disputes, and then there is the challenge of managing public lands effectively,” he noted.

    Responding to claims of land theft, Jinapor highlighted that safeguards have been established to stop unauthorized transactions of state land.

    “We made it clear that no public land should be sold without the express approval of the president, acting through the Minister for Lands. This policy helped curb the dissipation of state lands,” he stated.

  • I didn’t attack Zanetor, I have great respect for Rawlings – Abu Jinapor

    I didn’t attack Zanetor, I have great respect for Rawlings – Abu Jinapor

    Damongo Member of Parliament, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has strongly denied accusations that he was behind the derogatory remarks aimed at Korle-Klottey MP, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, during a parliamentary session on Tuesday.

    The remarks, which included a claim that Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings was the “daughter of a murderer,” have sparked controversy and social media criticism.

    The incident occurred during a heated debate to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Joseph Boakye Danquah’s passing, which quickly escalated into a confrontation between MPs, revealing intense political tensions.

    The clash began when Tamale Central MP Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed criticized the Minority’s tributes to Danquah, leading to verbal exchanges and the Speaker of Parliament, Andrew Asiamah, restricting contributions to parliamentary leadership.

    Despite these restrictions, chaos continued, with Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings rising to contribute but being ignored by the Speaker. This further fueled the disorder as interruptions and a particularly offensive remark from an unidentified voice in the Minority side ensued.

    The comment, “daughter of a murderer,” aimed at Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings, drew significant backlash, with many on social media pointing fingers at Jinapor as the one behind the words.

    In response, Jinapor rejected the accusations, urging the public to disregard the claims. He posted on social media, saying, “For the record, the said allegation is absolutely false.” He further emphasized his respect for both former President Jerry John Rawlings and his family, particularly Dr. Zanetor Rawlings.

    “While he was alive, President Rawlings was someone who took a great likening and interest in me as a young politician and I had great respect for him as a Ghanaian Statesman. I have and will not denigrate the Rawlings’s in any form or shape and any Ghanaian for that matter,” Jinapor stated.

    The Damongo MP reiterated, “That is not in my nature. I have always believed in decent debates and intellectual discourse in Ghanaian public life and Parliament especially, devoid of insults and character assassination!”

  • Abu Jinapor was truthful on status of Ghana’s forest reserves – Lands Ministry dimisses reports

    Abu Jinapor was truthful on status of Ghana’s forest reserves – Lands Ministry dimisses reports

    The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has strongly refuted allegations that sector Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor provided misleading information to Parliament concerning the state of Ghana’s forest reserves.

    In a statement released on Friday, September 13, 2024, the Ministry described the claims circulating in some media outlets as false and urged the public to disregard them. The reports suggest that Minister Jinapor had given inaccurate details during a recent parliamentary session, particularly about activities within the country’s forest reserves.

    However, the Ministry dismissed these accusations, asserting that the Minister has consistently presented accurate and transparent updates based on verified data and ongoing assessments of Ghana’s forest cover.

    “All updates given by the Minister are based on verified data and ongoing assessments of the nation’s forest cover,” the statement said, emphasizing that the Ministry remains committed to the protection and sustainable management of the country’s natural resources.

    In addressing the concerns raised, the Ministry stressed that it is actively tackling issues like deforestation and illegal mining within forest reserves. It further reassured the public of its dedication to delivering on its mandate of preserving Ghana’s forests through responsible management practices.

    The Ministry also responded directly to the media report in question, which was published by The Fourth Estate, calling it misleading.

    “The attention of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has been drawn to a publication by The Fourth Estate with the above headline in respect of an answer given by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, to a question posed to him in Parliament. The said publication contains a lot of falsehoods and misinformation.”

    The statement further noted the seriousness of the allegations, especially given the respect the Minister, who is also a Member of Parliament, holds for the institution. “Given the respect and the high regard the Hon. Minister, who is, also, a Member of Parliament, has for the august House of Parliament, the Ministry finds the allegations that the Hon. Minister was not being truthful to Parliament as very serious and rather unfortunate,” it added.

    The Ministry concluded by calling on Ghanaians to trust the processes in place and to disregard any efforts to undermine the work of the Ministry and its leadership.

  • Abu Jinapor files nomination forms for Damongo seat; calls for unity

    Abu Jinapor files nomination forms for Damongo seat; calls for unity

    Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has officially submitted his nomination forms to run for reelection in the upcoming 2024 general election.

    Representing the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Jinapor aims to secure his position as the parliamentary candidate for Damongo in the Savanna Region.

    Following the presentation of his nomination forms at the Electoral Commission’s office in Damongo, Jinapor who is the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources emphasized the importance of unity within the party. He expressed confidence that a united NPP would lead to victory in the December elections.

    Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor

    In his address, Jinapor outlined plans for significant infrastructural improvements in the constituency, including the upcoming District Roads Improvement Project (DRIP) which will bring essential road transformation equipment to Damongo.

    He highlighted the party’s achievements in areas such as agriculture, job creation, and infrastructure development, asserting that these contributions have prepared the constituency to support his reelection and contribute to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s presidential campaign.

    For the second consecutive election cycle, Jinapor has been confirmed as the NPP’s parliamentary candidate for Damongo without opposition. The Damongo constituency, one of the seven in the Savannah Region, has traditionally been held by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) since 1993.

    In the 2020 elections, Jinapor contested against Adam Mutawakilu, the then-incumbent MP who had served since 2013. Mutawakilu is expected to be Jinapor’s opponent once again in the December polls.

  • I am bona fide Gonja Prince but I have no interest in Damongo chieftaincy – Abu Jinapor to ban

    I am bona fide Gonja Prince but I have no interest in Damongo chieftaincy – Abu Jinapor to ban

    Samuel Abu Jinapor, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Damongo, has firmly stated his respect for the chieftaincy institution and specifically for the Overlord of Gonjaland, Yagbonwura Bi-kunuto Jewu Soale. He categorically denies any involvement in the chieftaincy affairs of Damongo or Gonjaland.

    In a statement, Jinapor addressed recent media reports claiming his interference in chieftaincy matters.

    He said, “My attention has been drawn to media publications, both mainstream and social, to the effect that I am interfering or meddling in Gonja Chieftaincy matters in general and Damongo in particular. For the records, these allegations are totally false.

    “As I have stated time and again, I do not have any interest in the Damongo chieftaincy affairs whatsoever. As a bona fide Gonja Prince, I continue to have high regard for the revered chieftaincy institution, the Overlord of Gonjaland, Yagbonwura Bi-kunuto Jewu Soale, and all other chiefs for that matter. My role and overarching interest, both as Member of Parliament and Minister of the Republic, is to contribute my modest quota to the development of Ghana, and my beloved constituency of Damongo. I entreat all and sundry to disregard these allegations as same are untrue.

    “I am and will forever remain a humble servant of the Damongo people and Ghanaians as a whole.”

    Jinapor’s remarks follow a recent decree barring him from visiting any palace in Gonjaland.

    The Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Soale Jewu Soale, the King of the Gonja kingdom, issued this ban, labeling Jinapor as a destabilizing influence on the region’s peace and unity.

    The ban was announced at the Jakpa Palace, where the King addressed concerns raised by a demonstration held by Gonjaland’s youth against the MP.

    “Let me state this authoritatively that from today, no Chief in Gonjaland should allow Abu Jinapor to come by himself or lead or accompany any government official or politician to any palace in Gonjaland. Any Chief who disobeys this order will have himself to blame,” he said.

    The King, via his interpreter, outlined several reasons for imposing the ban.

    “It is not a secret that Abu Jinapor uses the powers of government to circumvent the traditional authority and orders of the Yagbonwura in an attempt to evade accountability and to counter the orders so given by the Yagbonwura. This is mostly done deliberately in order to get the Yagbonwura feel worthless, powerless and of no value in the eye of the public,” he explained.

    He declared that any chief who hosts the Damongo lawmaker in their palace will face consequences.

    “Enough of his arrogance and disrespect. I will deal with any Chief who will entertain him or in the company of any government official to his palace,” the Yagbonwura stressed.

    Speaking on behalf of the youth of Gonjaland, Chief Jantonwura Peter Awusi Yakubu of Sakpala reiterated the ban.

    “We wish to echo the voice of the Yagbonwura as was said at the Jakpa Palace, and on the basis of the above-listed instances of disrespect and insubordination, championed and led by Hon Abu Jinapor, that, the King would never grant audience to any Government delegation, political party or any person who pays him a visit, once it includes Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor.

  • Abu Jinapor banished from entering Gonja kingdom over breach of tradition

    Abu Jinapor banished from entering Gonja kingdom over breach of tradition

    The Minister for Lands and National Resources, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, has been prohibited from entering any palace within the Gonja kingdom.

    The Paramount Chief of Gonjaland, Yagbonwura Building-Kunuto Soale Jewu, made this announcement on Sunday, July 22, 2024.

    This decision was taken due to what the Yagbonwura described as a breach of tradition and respect.

    The announcement follows accusations from traditional leaders in West Gonja, who claim the minister has been interfering in local traditional matters.

    They assert that the MP’s persistent interference in issues that should be resolved within traditional frameworks has been causing widespread dissatisfaction and discontent among the people.

    During a press conference, the Yagbonwura’s interpreters stressed the seriousness of the situation, warning that any chief who allows Mr. Jinapor into their palace would face severe repercussions.

    “The king will never grant audience to any government delegation, political party, or any person who pays him a visit once it includes Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor until he learns his tradition as a royal and learns how to respect the authority of the Yagbonwura. This statement is final and binding on all paramount chiefs within the Gonja kingdom,” he said.

    The decree must be strictly adhered to by chiefs and local leaders to uphold the Yagbonwura’s authority.

    Some of the angry youth hoisted the inscriptions “Abu Jinapor, enough of your selfishness and arrogance’ and ‘No more undermining of traditional authority’ among others.

  • Claims of govt selling State Lands to cronies false – Abu Jinapor

    Claims of govt selling State Lands to cronies false – Abu Jinapor

    The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has refuted allegations of selling or leasing state lands to associates of the Akufo-Addo administration.

    MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa’s concerns about land sales, including properties like the Dubois Center, Park and Gardens, and others, were dismissed by the Ministry as baseless and inaccurate.

    According to the Ministry, the land allocations under scrutiny, such as the Roman Ridge Prison Service land, were executed in 2005, predating the current administration.

    Regarding the Dubois Center, the Ministry clarified that the land was acquired in 1897 for government purposes and currently remains in government possession without any pending applications for transfer.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the lease and/or sale of the land at Roman Ridge, allocated to the Prison Service, the subject matter of the Member of Parliament’s allegation, was made in the year 2005, and certainly not under the current administration.

    “The allegations that the said land has been granted by the current administration to cronies in what has been described as state capture are, therefore, false.”

    “The land occupied by the Du Bois Centre was acquired in 1897 by a Certificate of Title, dated 20th December 1897 for Government purposes.

    “The site is currently being occupied by the Du Bois Centre, and the Lands Commission and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has no pending application for the grant of this parcel of land to any third party.”

  • Abu Jinapor tried convincing Yagbonwura to stand up to greet Akufo-Addo – Tweep claim

    Abu Jinapor tried convincing Yagbonwura to stand up to greet Akufo-Addo – Tweep claim

    The Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has been accused of being an accomplice to President Akufo-Addo’s gross disrespect towards the Yagbonwura Bi-kunuto Jewu Soale, the Overlord of the Gonja Traditional Area.

    President Akufo-Addo, in a video circulating on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, was said to have demanded that the Yagbonwura Bi-kunuto Jewu Soale, the Overlord of the Gonja Traditional Area, rise to greet him during a courtesy visit.

    Per the video, President Akufo-Addo gave the order and stood still, waiting for the Yagbonwura to get up from his throne to greet him. However, the Yagbonwura did no such thing in the presence of his subjects.

    It is reported that Mr Jinapor reached out to the Yagbonwura and requested that he stand up and descend from his skin to exchange handshakes with the President.

    The Yagbonwura didn’t pay heed to this. Then, the NPP regional Chairman, Mr. Kalamonia equally followed up with the King and also placed the same request, which the Yagbonwura turned a deaf ear to.

    The issue has not been taken lightly by netizens on social media who believe the president’s posture exudes arrogance.

    “It is high time the arrogance stop,” a user wrote.

    Less than a week ago, President Akufo-Addo received harsh criticism after a video showed the president ordering traditional authorities present at the funeral ceremony of the late Alhaji Rashid Bawa on Saturday, April 20, at Kadjebi in the Oti Region, to rise from their seats and greet him.

  • “Power sector is collapsing”; release ‘dumsor’ timetable – Jinapor

    “Power sector is collapsing”; release ‘dumsor’ timetable – Jinapor

    Member of Parliament for Yapei-Kusawgu constituency, John Jinapor has urged the authorities responsible for the power sector to release a schedule for power outages so that Ghanaians can plan accordingly.

    He attributed the current power cuts in the country to fuel shortages and the inefficiency of thermal power plants.

    Speaking in an interview, Mr Jinapor said, “The minority side has been monitoring the power situation for the past month, and it appears, based on the information available to us, that the power sector is collapsing.

    “Since February 2, there has been persistent and consistent load shedding by the generation companies; indeed, the load shedding is worsening by the day. The day the president was delivering SONA and boasting, there was some load-shedding happening.”

    “Today at 12 pm, load shedding will commence again; our investigation indicates that some of our thermal plants are down, and there is a lack of fuel causing the load shedding. The handlers of the power sector should do the honourable thing by informing the people of Ghana so they can plan ahead of time.”

    Deputy Energy Minister-designate Collins Adomako-Mensah has promised that the current power outages, popularly known as ‘dumsor’, will be resolved within the next two weeks.

    “I admit that for the past two or three weeks, there have been some power outages, but it is interesting that the two-week power outages are causing the Minority to have a press conference. I am yet to fully settle into the [Energy] Ministry, but the little interaction I have had with the officers in the Ministry before my vetting is that this should be taken care of in the next two weeks,” Collins Adomako-Mensah said in the interview.

  • NPP Primaries: Samuel Jinapor to contest Damongo seat unopposed

    NPP Primaries: Samuel Jinapor to contest Damongo seat unopposed

    For the second consecutive time, Samuel A. Jinapor, the Member of Parliament for the Damongo Constituency and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, is set to run unopposed as the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate in the Damongo Constituency.

    The nomination period closed on Monday, January 25, 2023, and Mr. Jinapor, the incumbent Member of Parliament, was the sole candidate to file his nomination in the constituency.

    Traditionally held by the National Democratic Congress since the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1993, the Damongo Constituency is one of the seven constituencies in the Savannah Region.

    In the 2020 elections, Mr. Jinapor contested for the first time against the incumbent Member of Parliament, Adam Mutawakilu, who had held the seat since 2013. In a surprising turn of events, Mr. Jinapor secured victory, winning over fifty-four percent (54%) of the valid votes cast. This marked the first time an NPP candidate became the Member of Parliament for the constituency in the Fourth Republic.

    Following his election, President Akufo-Addo appointed him as the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, a position he has held till date. 

    On Wednesday, 20th December, 2023, the NPP opened nominations for Constituencies with sitting Members of Parliament. Across the country, several people have filed nominations to contest incumbent Members of Parliament, with some traditional leaders and other stakeholders coming out to call for the protection of certain MPs.

    In the case of Mr. Jinapor, however, he did not need traditional leaders and party stalwarts to call for his protection. At the close of nomination on Monday, 25th December, 2023, Mr. Jinapor was the only candidate that filed to contest as the Parliamentary Candidate for the New Patriotic Party. This is a sign of confidence the NPP in the Damongo Constituency have in Mr. Jinapor to retain the seat for the NPP, despite the seat being traditionally held by the NDC.

    After filing his nomination, Mr. Jinapor said he was humbled by the confidence reposed in him by the Party in the Constituency. He said the Damongo Constituency is a very strategic seat and crucial to breaking the eight. He pledged his commitment to work with the party and the Constituents to ensure that the NPP retains the seat in Parliament, and deliver victory for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

    Some of the Constituents who spoke to the media said they were highly satisfied with the work of Hon. Jinapor. They said never in the history of the Constituency has the Member of Parliament brought so much development in the Constituency and been that close to the people. They cited examples, such as, the construction of the Office of the Member of Parliament, which gives unfettered access to the MP by the constituents, the construction of astroturf in Damongo, the extension of electricity in various parts of the constituency, and several other infrastructural developments.

    They expressed their confidence in Mr. Jinapor to retain the seat to continue with the developmental agenda of the Constituency. Some constituents who identified as members of the NDC said they were fully behind Mr. Jinapor, despite his political party, as the development he has brough to the Constituency is unprecedented.

    The NPP primaries for the Members of Parliament is scheduled for Saturday, 27th January, 2023. According to the Party’s Constitution, where only one person files to contest at the close of nominations, the person shall be acclaimed on the day of the election. By this, Mr. Jinapor is the undisputed NPP Parliamentary Candidate for the Damongo Constituency, and is set to once again, face Adam Mutawakilu, whom he defeated in the 2020 General Elections.   

  • Abu Jinapor urges urgent climate action and sustainable financing at COP28

    Abu Jinapor urges urgent climate action and sustainable financing at COP28

    Ghana’s Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, urgently emphasizes the need for action against climate change and advocates for sustainable financing to protect the planet.

    Addressing the ongoing Conference of Parties (COP28) in Dubai, hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), he discussed Ghana’s strides towards achieving Net Zero and Zero Energy Poverty in his speech.

    He stated that, “over the past few years, we have had to expend our limited resources on the protection of our forests and the implementation of our aggressive afforestation and reforestation programme, including the flagship Green Ghana Project, under which some forty-two million (42,000,000) trees have been planted over the last three years, and the Ghana Forest Plantation Strategy, under which we have cultivated some six hundred and ninety thousand hectares (690,000 ha) of degraded forest in just five years”.

    He highlighted that through the Ghana Cocoa REDD+ Programme, Ghana successfully reduced emissions by 972,456 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (972,456 tCO2e) during the initial accounting period from June to December 2019.

    This achievement, which has been verified and validated, resulted in a results-based payment of US$4,862,280.

    Emphasizing the critical need for climate finance, particularly for forest and nature conservation, he stressed that it is the most effective tool in reaching the 1.5 degrees Celsius (1.5oC) target outlined in the Paris Agreement.

    Mr. Jinapor urged developed nations to fulfill their climate finance commitments, including the long-standing promise of One Hundred Billion Dollars (US$100 billion) made at COP15 in Copenhagen over a decade ago.

    He also mentioned the importance of the three billion US Dollars ($3 billion) pledged as part of the United States’ President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience (PREPARE) program. He cautioned that until these commitments are met, the global target will remain elusive.

    Mr Jinapor was hopeful in referencing the inspiring words of the United Nations Secretary-General, H.E. Antonio Guterres, that “the climate emergency is a race we are losing, but it is a race we can win.”

  • “It happened in 2015, not 2019” – Lands Minister on time of sale of Parliament clerk’s residence

    “It happened in 2015, not 2019” – Lands Minister on time of sale of Parliament clerk’s residence

    Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, has provided clarification regarding the sale of the official accommodation of a sitting Clerk of Parliament.

    Contrary to information from the Parliamentary Service stating that the property was sold in 2019, Mr. Jinapor stated during the debate on the 2024 Budget that his checks at the Lands Commission revealed the sale occurred in 2015.

    He emphasised that the private developer only took possession of the land in 2019.

    The statement aims to rectify the timeline of the property sale and address discrepancies in the information provided by the Parliamentary Service.

    “Not too long ago, it was said that the accommodation of the clerk of parliament was sold in 2019. Mr. Speaker, I want to submit to this house, the House of Records, that my checks at the Lands Commission suggest that the clerk of parliament’s accommodation or residence was sold in 2015 and not 2019. Mr. Speaker, the then Minister of Works and Housing gave an offer to a private developer in 2015.”

    “A lease was granted to the developer in 2015. These records are unimpeachable.

    It happened in 2015, not 2019. It just so happened that the developer, having bought the land in 2015, hadn’t been given an offer letter in 2015 and took possession in 2019,” Mr. Jinapor said.

  • UK supports Ghana to sanitize small scale mining sector

    UK supports Ghana to sanitize small scale mining sector

    On Monday, 31st July, 2023, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, teamed up with the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, the Rt. Hon. James Cleverly, to launch an innovative program aimed at supporting Ghana’s efforts to combat illegal mining.

    Named the UK-Ghana Gold Mining Programme, this initiative seeks to eradicate illegal activities associated with small-scale mining by enhancing community resilience, advocating for regulatory reforms, and bolstering law enforcement efforts.

    The program’s implementation will focus on the Ashanti, Savannah, and Western Regions of Ghana.

    The Minister expressed the historical bond between Ghana and the United Kingdom, highlighting their collaborative efforts in executing impactful socio-economic policies and initiatives for the benefit of their citizens.

    The gold mining program represents another significant joint endeavor by the two nations to address an important issue.

    Hon. Samuel Jinapor pointed out that this initiative will complement existing government measures in the fight against illegal mining, such as the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme (NAELP), Community Mining Schemes, and various law enforcement strategies.

    Furthermore, he emphasized the strategic importance of the small-scale mining sector in Ghana’s economic development. The government’s interventions aim to address the sector’s challenges and promote sustainable and environmentally-friendly small-scale mining practices.

    “The relationship between Ghana and the UK has been long-standing. The Ghanaian government has taken the issue of illegal mining seriously because apart from the impact o on our economy, its impact on the environment is dire. The government has taken some very bold steps like NALEP, Community Mining Scheme to ensure that we have community miners who adhere to be highest level of operational measures,” he said.

    He commended the UK Government for the initiative, describing it as a ‘huge impetus’ and boost to the fight waged by Government against illegal mining.

    He assured the preparedness of his Ministry to work effectively with the UK team to deliver in the programme.

    The UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs praised the Ghanaian government for its strong actions against illegal mining, recognizing it as a courageous effort to serve the best interests of Ghanaians and protect them from the adverse environmental effects of illegal mining.

    Expressing pride in the association with Ghana’s fight, the UK government pledged its commitment to provide necessary resources and personnel to support the cause.

    Under the newly launched illegal gold-mining program, the UK and Ghanaian governments will collaborate closely to enhance community resilience, advocate for regulatory reforms, and bolster law enforcement efforts.

    Over the course of three years, the UK government will contribute £3.9 million to complement Ghana’s endeavors in curbing illegal gold-mining activities in the Western, Ashanti, and Savannah Regions.

    To ensure the program’s success and effectiveness, experts and officials from the UK government will collaborate with a Technical Team at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. Together, they will work towards achieving the program’s objectives and creating a positive impact on the small-scale mining sector in Ghana.

  • Ghana gained $1.2 bn from small-scale mining in 2022 – Lands Minister

    Ghana gained $1.2 bn from small-scale mining in 2022 – Lands Minister

    Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources has disclosed that the country made a whooping US $1.2 billion from illegal mining last year.

    He said small-scale mining has been contributing increasingly to the nation’s gold output as the sector produced a total of 712,405 ounces of gold last year.

    He said it brought to the nation almost US$1,200,000,000 in export receipts, adding that all diamonds produced in the country in 2022, which amounted to 82,251.99 carats and generated US$3,900,000 in revenue were from small-scale mining.

    Mr Jinapor made the statement when he was speaking at the opening of a two-day transformational dialogue on artisanal and small-scale mining under the theme, “Sustaining Environmental Security and Human Rights in Small Scale Mining Operations in Ghana” at Fiapre in the Sunyani West Municipality.

    The programme, initiated by the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) aimed at bringing together various stakeholders to deliberate on the issue and jointly make efforts towards a common direction.

    It was attended by politicians, traditional leaders, students, members, and staff of the UENR, artisans and small-scale miners, civil society actors, representatives of large-scale mining companies and the media.

    Mr Jinapor said the small-scale mining sector had been the source of employment for thousands of people and supported the lives and livelihoods of millions of citizens.

    But he added the increasing illegalities associated with the sector and resulting in the destruction of the environment remained a national challenge that required collaborative effort to end the menace.

    Mr Jinapor said the government’s effort to clamp down on galamsey had been met with resistance because of the greedy and unscrupulous nation-wreckers destroying the environment for their personal interests.

    He said the government in addressing the threat of illegal mining had introduced policies and measures under the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme (NAELP) to provide alternative sources of income and livelihood to persons engaged in the menace.

    In that regard several young men and women had been employed in the production of seedlings and reclamation of degraded mined lands in the Ashanti, Eastern and Western North Regions, the Minister added.

    He said the Apprenticeship, Skills Training and Entrepreneurship module of the Programme was expected to be rolled out later this year to provide training for 5,000 youth in agriculture, technical, vocational, industrial, and mining skills.

    Mr Jinapor , therefore, commended the UENR for introducing several novel programmes, including bachelor and graduate programmes in Sustainable Mining, Land Degradation Neutrality and Sustainable Land Management aimed at promoting sustainable mining and environmental protection.

    The effort needed a hands-on-deck approach to promoting sustainable resources extraction practices and transforming mined lands into viable lands for agricultural purposes, he said and called for intensification of education on responsible and sustainable mining practices.

  • Goverment to halt exportation of iron ore, bauxite ‘in their raw state’

    Goverment to halt exportation of iron ore, bauxite ‘in their raw state’

    President Akufo-Addo has announced intentions to cease the exportation of bauxite and iron ore ‘in their raw state’.

    The move, according to him is aimed at protecting the country’s limited natural resources and learning from the mistake of gold exportation.

    Speaking at the opening of a natural resource stakeholders dialogue in Accra, the President said the government will soon initiate laws to ban the wholesale exportation of bauxite and iron.

    “We cannot forget lithium and the other green minerals which have been described as the minerals of the future due to the importance of the green energy transition. Fortunately, we have discovered lithium in commercial quantities in occurrence with cobalt, nickel, copper, lead, and zinc in the country.

    “We should not do with these minerals what we have done with our gold resources over the years. The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources under the leadership of Abu Jinapor is finalizing a policy document for the exploitation and utilization and management of these crucial minerals for the consideration of Cabinet in the next few years.

    “By section 28 of GIDEC law, in section 30 of the GIFTECH law, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources is empowered to make regulations to ensure that no bauxite or iron ore in their raw state is exported out of the country after five years of coming into force of these laws.”

    Ghana accounts for 0.29% of global production, with the other largest producers being Australia (28%), the Republic of Guinea (24%), China (18%), and Brazil (8%).

    Exports of bauxite from Ghana increased by 31% to 61kt in 2022 over 2021. Ghana’s bauxite exports are expected to grow at a CAGR of 1% between 2022 and 2026, to 64kt by 2026.

  • Let’s take use of AfCFTA prospects to boost Africa’s socioeconomic development – Abu Jinapor

    Let’s take use of AfCFTA prospects to boost Africa’s socioeconomic development – Abu Jinapor

    Samuel Abu Jinapor, the acting minister of trade and industry, has urged regional economic leaders and African ministers to collaborate closely with the private sector to create the necessary institutional and logistical frameworks for successful continental trade.

    According to him, the private sector has always served as the engine that drives the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and as such, the success of the continent’s single market depends in great part on enabling the private sector to expand.

    “We have a unique opportunity through AfCFTA, to develop our continent, with 54 countries strategically combining our forces in trade and business, to create a single continental market, Africa is undoubtedly, ready to emerge as a leader in the global trade market,” Mr Jinapor stated.

    Mr Jinapor made the call at the closing ceremony of a two-day Business and Policy Leaders’ Dialogue of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues held at the Safari Valley Resort, Adukrom, Eastern Region on Friday.

    It was organised by the Government of Ghana, through the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), in collaboration with the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, Africa Prosperity Network and Economic Commission for Africa.

    The dialogue was aimed at proffering actionable solutions to boost intra-African trade and ensuring Africa’s prosperity within the context of the Africa Union’s Agenda 2063 for economic transformation.

    It was held on the theme, “AfCFTA-From Ambition to Action: Delivering Prosperity through Continental Trade”.

    Some key stakeholders in attendance include government representatives across the continent, business leaders, policymakers, heads of Africa Investment Promotion Agencies, academia and the diplomatic community as well as key stakeholders in Africa and international partners.

    The Caretaker Trade minister was of the view that through public-private and multi-sectorial engagements, Africa could unblock the bottlenecks that hamper the full realisation of its single market agenda.

    “I, therefore, respectfully, call on all of us, gathered here, Ministers, policymakers, government representatives, and representatives of regional economic communities, to work with the private sector to institute the requisite institutional and logistical frameworks for the private sector to thrive,” he said.

    “There is no gainsaying that the private sector, which has always been the backbone of the African economy, constitutes the primary driver of the AfCFTA, and the success of this single market depends, largely, on how this sector is empowered and resourced to engage in meaningful trade across the continental market,” Mr Jinapor stressed.

    “While targeting the private sector, we must drill down further to address the needs of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in our respective countries, as they contribute more than half of the continent’s gross domestic product (GDP),”he said.

    The International Finance Corporation (IFC) estimates that micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) account for some 90 per cent of all businesses in Africa and provide some 80 percent of jobs across the continent.

    The Caretaker Trade minister, thus, urged the private sector stakeholders to own the AfCFTA, and continue to work with African governments to ensure its full implementation.

    “For not only will the private sector be the driving force of AfCFTA, but it will also be the primary beneficiary of the single market when we achieve the desired levels of trade between ourselves as a people,” Mr Jinapor stated.

    Mr Jinapor noted that the advancement of intra-continental trade would allow private businesses to expand their markets, and venture into new territories which were previously inaccessible to them.

    “Africa can and will unleash prosperity for its peoples. The Europeans did it, at least beginning from the Industrial Revolution of the eighteenth and nineteenth Centuries, with the mining of coal and the use of steam engines through the development of technology, and the creation of a single market for the movement of goods and people,” the Caretaker Minister pointed out.

    “The Asians have done it, with the Asian Miracle of the Four Asian Tigers fuelled by exports and rapid industrialisation”.

    “Africa can and must do it. The fundamental question is, what does it take to do this? We, therefore, must:

    Firstly, promote a free society, anchored on democratic principles and the rule of law, including an independent judiciary, to adjudicate disputes between the state and private citizens as well as among citizens; for without an independent judiciary, investors will have no confidence to invest in our countries”.

    “Secondly, as articulated earlier, we must promote the private sector as the engine of growth. The development of Japan and the Asian Tigers is enough testimony of the centrality of the private sector to unlock prosperity”.

    “Thirdly, we need well-educated, competent and capable citizens. Europe and America’s technological revolution is attributed, largely, to skilled and educated workforce. We must, therefore, invest in the education of our citizens”.

    Mr Jinapor underscored the need for the promotion of a high sense of consciousness amongst the African youth to be actively involved in every aspect of trading and business activities on the continent.

    “Africans are one people. We share a common history and have common values. As early as the eighth century, and, even before then, we traded without borders on the Trans-Saharan corridors,” the Minister recalled.

    “The youth of our continent are awake and palpably determined not to settle for less. Whether in Accra, Addis Ababa, Cairo, Bamako, Ouagadougou, Jubah, Soweto or Kinshasa, the consciousness of our young men and women is at an all-time high,” Mr Jinapor stated.

  • Gov’t has shown negligence in galamsey fight – Inusah Fuseini

    Former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Inusah Fuseini says the government has failed to demonstrate commitment to the fight against illegal small-scale mining in the country.

    His comment comes on the back of the government’s renewed commitment to the fight against illegal mining popularly known as galamsey.

    The Minister of Lands and Natural Resource, Abu Jinapor at a press conference said the government is adopting new strategies in the fight against illegal small-scale mining and enumerated some steps the government will take.

    According to him, over one hundred and eighty people have been jailed and over two hundred are on trial for their involvement in illegal mining adding that the government will also deal with those behind the menace.

    But, the former Lands Minister says the government has never acted on its words on the numerous promises made towards the fight against illegal mining since they came to power.

    According to him, the government lacks the commitment to prosecute people who are engaged in illegality.

    “Does it mean that all along they don’t know those who are financiers and kingpins of the galamsey. What is conspiracy, abetment and facilitating in our laws for? If you know that some people are those facilitating the commission of a crime, are they not guilty of that crime?

    “For them to say that we are changing gear, it looks weird because we have all known and always known most of the young men who are in the galamsey sites are just workers. And because of the capital-intensive nature of the activity people have to sponsor and invest in that activity,” he told Joshua Kodjo Mensah on Starr Today Thursday.

    He continued: “If you are a government and you know those who are the enablers of that activity and you sit and watch them, then you are now saying you are changing gear. If they (government) have admitted that they are now going after those people then they have been negligent or probably have not been committed to the fight against illegal small-scale mining.”

    The former lawmaker also indicated that the government knows those behind the menace but has failed to go after them.

  • I will support Bawumia on the basis of competence if he decides to contest as flagbearer – Abu Jinapor

    Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Abu Jinapor has declared, in no uncertain terms, that he will support the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia when the “time comes, and he decides to run” for the flagbearership of the NPP.

    Speaking in Kpalbe on Sunday, in the Savannah Region, during the visit of the Vice President, as part of his working visit to the North, Abu Jinapor, who is also the Member of Parliament for Damongo, said, in his view, the best person to lead the NPP to the 2024 elections if he decides to contest when the time comes is none, but Dr Bawumia.

    “At this moment, considering many things, including his competence and hard work, there is no other person. When the time comes and His Excellency the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia decides to contest, I will support him fully and work hard together party stakeholders in the Savannah Region for his hard work, and competence.” Abu Jinapor said.

    The Lands and Natural Resources Minister noted further that the 2024 Election won’t be an easy battle and for the NPP to retain power, the party needs someone like Dr. Bawumua, who will be widely accepted and can effectively communicate everything the government and the party have done.

    “Dr Bawumia has served with humility and honour and I can say without a doubt that, he has Savannah, the north and Ghana at heart,” Abu Jinapor noted.

    The Vice President resumed his working tour of the northern regions on Sunday in the Savannah Region.

    As part of his programme, he paid courtesy calls on traditional rulers, and inspected government projects, including the Agenda 111 District Hospital in Kpalbe and the ongoing works on the Fufulso-Bunjai Road, before commissioning a market complex in Salaga.

    Part of the Vice President’s delegation are; Minister of Interior Ambrose Dery, Minister of Defence Dominic Nitiwul, Presidential Advisor on Health Dr. Nsia Asare, and Former Chief Whip Frederick Opare Ansah.

  • Galamsey fight: Deal with Wontumi and his companies – Suhuyini to Lands Minister

    The Tamale North MP has asked the Lands Minister to deal with his party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman.

    Alhassan Suhuyini said Samuel Abu Jinapor must not be selective in dealing with persons involved in the canker.

    As a result, he wants the Damongo MP to apply the laws of the land fully.

    “Deal with Wontumi, his companies and others; that’s how your flowery political rhetoric will reflect indeed.

    The MP also asked Mr Jinapor to adequately resource the Minerals Commission to help deal with the canker.

    “Adequately resource and restructure the Minerals Commission, the Inspectorate Division especially, to professionally recruit and train guards in every mining District, like the Forestry Commission’s Forestry Guards,” he added in a Facebook post on Monday, October 3.

    Meanwhile, Mr Wontumi has denied reports he is involved in illegal mining.

    He insisted that his company, Akonta Mining Limited, has all the required documentation.

    Speaking on Wontumi TV on Monday, October 3, Chairman Wontumi said he is ready to make the document available.

    “I am appealing to them to use the law. They should do their investigations, and we should let the law work.”

    “I have a large scale company which Akonta mining is under… All the required documents I have, I will make all available[sic],” he added.

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • Mahama not responsible for NPP’s economic mess – Minority insists

    The Minority in Parliament has denied accusations that Ghana is seeking a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) due to unreasonable energy sector agreements undertaken by the Mahama government.

    The Minority says media reports attributed to the Country Director of the World Bank that, bad power purchase agreements saddled the country with huge debts in the energy sector are unfounded.

    A statement issued by the Ranking Member on the Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament, John Jinapor, says the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government handed over a vibrant and well-resourced energy sector to the current administration.

    Here is the full statement:

    The attention of the Minority in Parliament has been drawn to a Daily Guide publication with the headline “Mahama Energy Sector Agreements Drowning Ghana-World Bank.

    A careful reading of the story will reveal that at no point did the World Bank country director mention or blame the former President for the current economic mess the country finds itself.

    This deliberate misrepresentation and spin on an otherwise cautious statement from the World Bank can only be the handiwork of an NPP tabloid at the behest of a misguided, confused and clueless government that has lost its way in finding solutions to the current hardship the ordinary Ghanaian is facing.

    On the contrary, the caution from the World Bank only goes to confirm our longstanding warning on the unnecessary political interference, corruption and mismanagement of the Akuffo-Addo/Bawumiah led government in the energy sector since assuming office.

    Not long ago the Vice-President, Mr Bawumia at an official programme stated that his government has paid a whopping GHS17 billion cedis in so-called excess capacity payments, today we are being told the figure has metamorphosed into GHS12 billion cedis.

    It will be recalled that the Minister for Finance, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta appearing before Parliament to answer questions made claims that government has paid a total of $937.50 million to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) as excess capacity charges between 2017 and 2020, and this figures was inclusive of power
    and Gas supplied as well as payment for the mandatory 20% reserve margin.

    These contradictory and inconsistent figures can only come from a very confused and dishonest government.

    For the records, the NDC handed over a vibrant, well resourced and functioning energy sector to the NPP without Dumsor (as corroborated by Dr. Bawumiah himself in a joy fm interview and very recently by the Majority Leader, Hon Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu)

    We also handed over the energy sector levies to the NPP Government which has accrued over GHS24 billion cedis in revenues. The critical question to the NPP Government is what has happened to the promise of scraping ESLA, a levy that has since been increased by over 30% under this administration.

    We also wish to place on record that the OCTP Gas field has been supplying over 210MMscf of gas im recent times which is far above the contractual volume of 170MMscf. Therefore, the narrative that the Government is paying for unutilised gas from the field is therefore false and cannot be substantiated.

    In the Power sector, the Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATCC) losses have risen from 21% under Mahama to over 30% under the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government. Payment for these huge losses by Government does not, and cannot amount to excess capacity payments.

    We wish to state emphatically that Ghana is in this current mess because of mismanagement, corruption and political interference in the energy sector (Example: PDS, Ameri, BOST, TOR, AKER etc scandals) by the Akufo- Addo/Bawumiah led Government.

    Rather than taking pragmatic steps towards solving the economic hardship that the ordinary Ghanaian is experiencing with inflation skyrocketing, the Bawumia-led Economic Management Team has decided to use the little resources at Ghana’s disposal to engage in unnecessary and constant vilification of the former President through their assigns and hirelings.

    President Akufo-Addo must note that the fixation on tarnishing the image of Mr. Mahama will not solve the economic problems of Ghana.

    Government needs to stay focused and work towards the ensuring better lives for Ghanaians.

    Signed
    John Jinapor
    Ranking Member; Mines and Energy Committee

    Source: Citinews

  • Aisha Huang’s case can’t be yardstick for measuring galamsey fight – Lands Minister

    The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor says Aisha Huang’s case can’t be a yardstick for measuring galamsey fight in the country.

    He says the issue has been sensationalised. According to him, Aisha Huang is no different from other foreigners who have flouted the laws of the country.

    Mr. Samuel Abu Jinapor told Umaru Sanda Amadu on Face to Face on Citi TV that it is outrageous to center the government’s effort in fighting illegal mining (galamsey) on “a Chinese woman, who has flouted the rules of the country.”

    “The Aisha Huang case should not be looked at in isolation, but in the context of foreigners being involved in Ghanaian industries and perpetuating criminality and how we deal with it. Yes, it’s unfortunate that she entered the country after she was sent away, but that should not be the focus.”

    “We are making it seem as though the entire effort of the President and government revolves around Aisha Huang. Aisha Huang is just a Chinese woman who flouted the laws of Ghana and cannot be a test stone. She is no different from the foreigners arrested a week ago.”

    Since Aisha Huang was arrested earlier in September, there have been several claims about how she left the country in 2018 and when she re-entered.

    Despite the government providing evidence of a repatriation notice and the Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, saying she was repatriated, the prosecutors in court on Wednesday stated that Aisha Huang sneaked out of Ghana after her arrest in 2017.

    The initial report on the case was that she had been deported in 2018 after filing a nolle prosequi to discontinue an earlier case against her.

    It also emerged that Aisha Huang in the wake of her re-arrest over illegal mining activities in the country despite her deportation was found to be in possession of a Ghana Card bearing the name Huang En.

    Source: Citinewsroom.com

     

  • Land Ministers private residence catches fire

    A portion of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu’s private residence at Adjiringanor has been destroyed by fire.

    The incident happened about 11:30am on Friday, September 2, 2022.

    The timely intervention of the Ghana National Fire Service prevented further spread of the fire.

    Per reports, only one rooms got destroyed. Again, no casualty was recorded.

    Meanwhile, the cause of the fire is unknown.

    Meanwhile, Mr Jinapor is currently attending the largest African-focused mining conference in Perth, Western Australia.

    Fire breaks out at Land Minister's private residence

    Recently, the Ghana National Fire Service has revealed that 20 fire outbreaks were recorded on a daily basis during the first half of the year.

    Fire breaks out at Land Minister's private residence

    In total, 3,678 fire outbreaks have been recorded, representing a 21.38% increase from 3030 fire cases recorded during the same period in 2021.

    Thirty-five lives have been lost so far this year to fire outbreaks.

    According to the Service, the harmattan weather experienced from January to March played a role in the number of fire cases recorded as well as the non-adherence to fire safety precautions.

    Fire breaks out at Land Minister's private residence

    Causes of the fire outbreaks included “electrical faults which stem from circuit overload; arcing: short circuits; inferior cables; compromised or poorly done electrical installations; over-aged wires and earthing problems: Gas leakages; unattended cooking: unattended lit candles; mosquito coils: matches and poorly done hot works from welding and deliberate acts.”

    Fire breaks out at Land Minister's private residence

    Although the Ghana National Fire Service has assured its commitment to protecting the lives of citizens, it has entreated the public to remain cautious when dealing with inflammable objects.

    “The Service notwithstanding this increase in the number of fire and related incidents in the first half year of 2022 is poised with the support of the public to assiduously work to reduce the rate of fires through its continuous and intensified public fire safety education,” the Service said.

  • Abu Jinapor presents motorbikes to West Gonja Municipal Health Directorate

    AS part of efforts to enhance healthcare in the West Gonja Municipality, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Damongo in the Savannah Region, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has presented 10 motorbikes to the health directorate to support its work.

    The motorbikes would enable health personnel to carry out community outreach programmes and attend to the health needs of residents in hard-to-reach communities.

    Presentation

    Presenting the motorbikes to the health directorate for onward distribution to various health facilities, Mr Jinapor reiterated his commitment towards improving healthcare in the constituency.

    He acknowledged the challenges associated with healthcare in the constituency and gave the assurance of doing everything possible within his remit to address some of the challenges.

    “My dream is that when I am done and gone, the bar will be set so high that whoever wants to be MP in the Savannah Region will be held to the highest standards of delivery and responsibility,” he stated.

    According to him, some aspirants sought for votes but often failed to address the needs of the constituents including locating them to seek answers to the challenges of constituents.

    Mr Jinapor, who is the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, urged the health directorate to put the motorbikes to good use and ensure regular maintenance so as to deliver on their mandate to the people.

    Appreciation

    Receiving the motorbikes, the West Gonja Municipal Director of Health Services, Madam Gertrude Yentumi, expressed gratitude to the MP for the donation.

    She said it would go a long way to complement the efforts of the government and the directorate in proving quality healthcare services to the people.

    While pledging to put the machines to good use, she appealed for more motorbikes as transport challenges made it difficult for the directorate to reach out to most of the rural communities to attend to the health needs of residents.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • President will deal with culprits in Apiate explosion – Minister

    Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources has assured that the government is committed to taking action against anyone or institution found culpable in the Apiate explosion.

    He stressed that the government wouldn’t spare anyone who is deemed to have shirked his or her responsibility in the incident. 

    Mr Jinapor gave the assurance in Accra on Tuesday when a Ministerial Committee set up by him to independently investigate the Appiatse explosion presented its report to him.

    According to the Minister, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had taken a keen interest in the issue and will crack the whip on anyone who breached the regulations leading to the accident that claimed 14 lives and injured more than 170 persons in the January 20 disaster.

    He also promised that the recommendations and findings of the committee would be implemented to forestall future occurrences. 

    “I want to assure the country that the President is fully committed to ensuring that whoever is found culpable and whoever is found to have breached any rule will be made to face the full rigours of the law.

    “Whatever lessons we have to learn, we will do so and do that dispassionately,” he added.

    He said that the work and report of the committee are exclusive of and ‘without prejudice’ to ongoing investigations by the Ghana Police Service and other state agencies. 

    Mr Abu Jinapor stated that the report of the committee would serve as a guide to the government on the measures that ought to be taken to avert such situations and improve safety in the mining sector. 

    The Chairman of the committee, Mr Benjamin Aryee, commended members of the committee for their sacrifice and thanked the Minister for the confidence reposed in them to execute the task.

    “I am convinced beyond equivocation that the comprehensive, dispassionate, and objective work done by the committee will be put to action by the government,” he said.

    The three-member committee Chaired by Mr Benjamin Aryee, also includes; Mr Peter Awuah and Mr Cletus Alengah.

    Source: GNA

  • Lands Ministry to present proposals for reforms in the mining industry

    The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources will soon table proposals before Cabinet to reform the country’s mining industry.

    Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, the sector Minister, who said this at a media briefing in Accra on Wednesday, said the reforms would focus on amending the laws regarding the licensing, issuance of permits, sanctioning and enforcement regimes in the mining sector.

    “In a matter of weeks, we will go before the Cabinet with a set of proposals for amendment and reforms in the mining industry to make the laws more punitive, with the ultimate objective of sanitizing the sector”.

    Mr Jinapor said it had already begun engagement with industry players to enable them to make inputs towards the reforms, adding that, government’s goal was to ensure transparency and integrity in the sector.

    Responding to Mr Kennedy Agyepong, MP for Assin Central’s allegations that, some top government officials were engaging in illegal mining, Mr Jinapor said, he was prepared to talk to Mr Agyepong to disclose their names and deal with it decisively.

    He said the government was battle-ready and prepared to rid the country’s water bodies and forest reserves of persons and logistics involved in illegal mining.

    He said although there had been lots of criticisms and resistance from certain quarters over the military operations on water bodies and forest reserves, the government took that hard decision to protect them from destruction for the sake of the present and future generations.

    The phase three of ‘Operation Halt II’ started from May 14 and ended on May 17, 2021, with the deployment of 561 soldiers of all ranks to the tributaries of River Pra, Birim River, Oda River and River Ofin, which covered Western, Central, Ashanti and Eastern regions.

    The four-day operation, under the command of Brigadier-General Michael Ayisi Amoah, Commanding the Southern Command, led to the destruction of 49 excavators, 228 Changfans(floating platforms), 87 water pumping machines and 76 wooden structures.

    The rest were seven generators, six motorbikes and one hunter’s gun.

    One Chinese national was arrested for engaging in illegal mining and would soon be arraigned before court for prosecution.

    Mr Jinapor said it was the government’s ambition to ensure viable and sustainable mining practices and would work tirelessly towards achieving success in the small-scale mining enterprise.

    Mr Dominic Nitiwul, the Minister of Defence and MP for Bimbila, said the 561 all rank military officers were mandated to protect the water bodies and forest cover by riding off any persons and logistics involved in illegal mining.

    He said the soldiers executed their mandate satisfactorily without targeting anyone based on the person’s political colouration

    The Minister said if the nation did not take immediate action against the galamsey menace, the country may lose the Rivers in the southern belt of the country in the next three to four years.

    He said it was imperative for all Ghanaians to collectively deal with illegal mining once and for all.

    Mr Nitiwul gave the assurance that the military operation would be sustained until the water bodies returned to their natural state and trees planted on the mined areas.

    He said the government would not guarantee the safety of those who may return to the rivers and forest reserves to do illegal mining at night.

    He, therefore, cautioned the citizenry to stay away from all “red zone” areas, saying that Government’s primary goal was to sanitize the environment and ensure viable and sustainable mining practices.

    The Minister said, “no amount of public relations efforts or gimmicks employed by the illegal miners would deter the government from fighting the galamsey menace”.

    Source: GNA

  • Abu Jinapor must be sacked Small-scale miners scribe

    Secretary to the Small Scale Miners Association Michael Kwadwo Preprah has called for the dismissal of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor.

    Speaking to Henry Eliud Nyakey on Asem Yi Dzi Ka, a political programme on Connect FM in Takoradi, the Secretary said the government has failed totally in the fight against illegal mining.

    Burning excavators in non-Red Zones, in rivers and reserved forests, means the minister has failed, he said, adding that there is no way a government can win the fight against galamey using the military.

    “Past governments from the era of President [John] Kufuor through to President [John] Mahama used the military in the fight against galamsey and they failed,” Michael Kwadwo Preprah said.

    He is surprised the current minister is using the same approach and “he has failed and needs to be sacked”.

    Counting the number of mining equipment destroyed so far, the Secretary said about 40 excavators have been destroyed and one operator has been shot dead.

    He hinted of a mega demonstration across the country against government soon.

    Source: 3news.com

  • Enforce the law on galamsey Abu Jinapor to Western Regional Security Council

    Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor has charged the Western Regional Security Council to strictly enforce the laws against illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) and related activities in the region.

    He said the law enforcement is a critical aspect of the steps to deal with the galamsey menace hence the National security and the regional Security Council must ensure that they are enforced.

    The Damongo MP said these during an interaction with the members of the Western Regional Security Council Monday, April 26 in Sekondi, the Minister added that no one is above the law in this matter of small scale mining, stressing that there is no colourization in the fight against Galamsey.

    The Minister also called for increased support to curb the menace and commended the Regional minister for taking a bold step in that direction especially on the recent seizure of 16 excavators in the Region.

    He also assured that there is no mining activity in the Mole National Park.

    The Minerals Commission has dismissed claims that permit has been issued for mining in or near the Mole National Park.

    The Commission said the claims are untrue and should be disregarded.

    A statement issued by the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Mr Martin Ayisi said “ It has come to the attention of the Minerals Commission that certain Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have alleged that Mining Permits have been issued for mining in or near the Mole National Park in the Savannah Region.

    “This allegation and/or assertion is not the case. No such Mining Permit has been issued for this purpose.”

    “The Commission as the repository of records of all Mineral Rights in Ghana, entreats the General Public particularly CSOs, who are partners and have been working closely with the Commission over the years, to seek clarifications from it before going public.”

    Mr Jinapor said “It is a state agency and I believe that the communique that they have released is what we should abide by the fact remains that there will never be a situation where the exploitation of our natural resources will jeopardize our national asset such as the Mole National Park. That will not happen. The Commission has assured the country that there is no such mining or exploitation taking place to jeopardize the Mole National Park.”

    Source: 3 News