1.8.07

Full list of Ministers and Regional Ministers out

The Government on Tuesday released the full list of Ministers and Regional Ministers.A press release signed by Mr Kwadwo Mpiani, Chief of Staff and Minister of Presidential Affairs named them as: Mr. Albert Kan Dapaah, Minister of Defence, Mr Kwamena Bartels, Interior, Professor Dominic Fobi, Education, Science and Sports, Alhaji Abubakar Saddique Boniface, Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mrs. Esther Obeng Dapaah, Lands, Forestry and Mines, Mr. Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, Tourism and Dispora Relations, Mr. Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, and Mr. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Finance and Economic Planning.Others are Mr. Francis Poku, National Security, Major Courage Quashigah (rtd), Health, Mr. Joe Ghartey, Justice and Attorney General, Mr. Ernest Debrah, Food and Agriculture, Mr Joseph Adda, Energy, Mr. Akwasi Osei-Adjei, Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Gladys Asmah, Fisheries, Mr. Abraham Osei Aidooh, Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Joe Baidoo-Ansah, Trade and Industry, Nana Akomea, Manpower, Youth and Employment, Mrs. Oboshie Sai-Cofie, Information and National Orientation, Dr. Benjamin Aggrey-Ntim, Communications, Hajia Alima Mhama, Women and Children's Affairs and Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, Ports, Harbours and Railways.The release mentioned the following as Ministers of State: Dr Anthony Akoto Osei, Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Ambrose Dery, Justice and Attorney General Ministry, Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Culture and Chieftaincy, Ms. Gloria Akuffo, Aviation, Mr Samuel Owusu-Adjei, Public Sector Reform, Ms. Elizabeth Ohene, Education Ministry, Nana Obiri Boahen, Interior, Ms Cecilia Abena Dapaah, Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr. Godfred T. Bonyon, Transportation, Mr. Charles Bintim, Minister of State at the Presidency and Mr. Yaw Barimah, Minister of State, Presidency.The Regional Ministers are Mr. George Hikah Benson, Upper West, Mr. Alhassan Samari, Upper East, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, Northern, Mr. Ignatius Baffour Awuah, Brong-Ahafo, Mr. Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti, Mr. Kwadwo Afram Asiedu, Eastern, Mr. Kofi Dzamesi, Volta, Mr. Evans A. Amoah, Western, Nana Ato Arthur, Central and Sheikh I.C. Quaye, Greater Accra. 31 July 2007
Source:GNA

31.7.07

Godsell Retires as CEO at AngloGold Ashanti

The Chairman of AngloGold Ashanti, Russell Edey, this morning announced that Bobby Godsell would be retiring from the company and the board with effect from 30th September 2007.The board simultaneously announced the appointment of Mark Cutifani as Mr Godsell's successor. Mr Cutifani currently holds the position of Chief Operating Officer at CVRD Inco where he has responsibility for CVRD Inco's global nickel business. He will take up his new position in mid-September.Commenting on the announcement, Russell Edey said, "The board and management of AngloGold Ashanti are very fortunate to have had the benefits of Bobby's inspiration, leadership and innovative flair for the past 12 years. I have no doubt that he will continue to make a contribution to South Africa in whatever course he chooses now to follow. We believe that Mark Cutifani is a person well-suited to meet the challenges which face AngloGold Ashanti and the gold industry at large".Bobby Godsell said today, "It is the right time to change leaders. In Mark Cutifani, a mining engineer with a wide and impressive track record of both operating and executive experience across a range of minerals, including gold, and on several continents, we have a new leader who brings exactly the qualities and experience needed for AngloGold Ashanti's new chapter."For my own part, after 34 years in corporate life I am looking forward to exploring new ways of being a constructive citizen of my country."Additionally, Mr Edey today announced that Roberto Carvalho Silva, after a long and impressive career with this company and its predecessor, spanning more than three decades, has decided to leave AngloGold Ashanti in September. The board and management wish him well in his future pursuits. Neville Nicolau will become the Chief Operating Officer of the company with responsibility for all operations. Mr Carvalho Silva will assist Mr Nicolau in the consolidation of the two operating regions, which will commence as soon as possible.A summarized version of Mr Cutifani's résumé, for information, followsMARK CUTIFANIEducationUniversity of Wollongong, WollongongB.E., Mining Engineering (First Class Honours)Previous Experience2007-date CVRD INCOChief Operating Officer2003-2006 INCO Ltd.Toronto, Ontario2006 Chief Operating Officer2005-2006 President, North America and Europe2004-2005 President, Ontario Operations2003-2004 Vice President, Mines Operations, Canada and UK2000-2002 SONS OF GWALIA LTDWest Perth, AustraliaManaging Director1998-2000 NORMANDY MINING LTDAdelaide, Australia1999-2000 Group Executive, Mining and Development1998-1999 Group Executive, Mining1994-1997 WMC LTD1997 Group Manager, Project Management1994-1996 Manager, Operations - Nickel1993-1994 SAVAGE RESOURCES LTDGeneral Manager, Coal1988-1993 KALGOORLIE CONSOLIDATED GOLD MINES1991-1993 General Manager, Operations, Gold1990-1991 Manager, Business Analysis and Development1989-1990 Manager, Open Cuts Operations1988-1989 Resident Manager, KMA1976 -1988 CRA LTDMelbourne, Australia1986-1988 Manager, Coal, Coalcliff1984-1986 Deputy Manager and Operations Superintendent1982-1984 Engineer, Planning, Coalcliff1976- 1982 Miner/Cadet/TraineePersonal DetailsMark, an Australian, is 49 years old. He and his wife, Luana, have four young children.
Source:John Owusu (GM - Corporate Affairs)

GIA resumes flight operations

Passengers of Ghana International Airline (GIA) who had been stranded for several days are being airlifted to London after the completion of arrangements to clear the backlog.GIA sources told GNA that the Airline encountered some difficulties because the plane, which runs the route, developed a technical fault. Two chartered aircraft brought in two batches of stranded passengers from London on Monday night.Passengers in Accra who were to have departed for London last Friday are expected to leave for London by a chartered aircraft on Tuesday morning, whilst those who should have left on Sunday and Monday are expected to leave for London on another chartered flight on Tuesday afternoon.The sources said the airline expected the situation to return to normal soon.

30.7.07

Parliament rejects President’s nominee, freezes two


Parliament has rejected the nomination of Rev. Dr Akwasi Owusu-Bi as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry, Private Sector Development and PSI.The House has also deferred until further notice the approval of Mr Kenwood Nuworsu as Deputy Minister of Manpower Youth and Employment and Ms. Victoria Bright as Deputy Minister at the office of the President.The House took the decisions after the Chairman of the Appointments Committee of Parliament; Freddie Blay had moved a motion for the approval of the last 14 Ministerial nominees who were vetted by the Appointments Committee of Parliament last week.The other 11 nominees were however approved unanimously by the House making the total number of approved nominees 23.The rejection of Rev. Dr Akwasi Owusu-Bi’s nomination was based on inconsistent answers he provided to some questions which were asked by the Appointments Committee while the deferment of the nominations of Mr Kenwood Nuworsu and Ms Victoria Bright was aimed at giving the Appointments Committee more time to investigate some issues about the nominees. Hon. Freddie Blay, Chairman of the Appointments Committee described the decision of the House as an evidence of deepening democracy in the country.Parliament rises on Tuesday, and so resumed sitting today in a bid to complete the task of approving the President's nominees for ministerial jobs. The Appointments committee is expected to present its report to the House for consideration today. The Committee sat last Saturday to complete vetting of three nominees; Frank Agyekum for deputy Information Minister, Frederick Opare Ansah for deputy Communications Minister and Maxwell Kofi Jumah for deputy Local Government, Rural Development and Environment.

Ghana is back on track with investment opportunities - Veep woos foreign investors

Accra, June 6, GNA-Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia says Ghana's economic opportunities for private sector investors are back on track as...