President John Dramani Mahama is back in Accra after a one-day working visit to Côte d’Ivoire where he had bilateral talks with his President Alassane Ouattara.

It forms part of his ongoing effort to improve relations with ECOWAS neighbours.

The two leaders discussed issues of regional security, concerns about the Alliance of Sahel States, cocoa production, and combating illegal mining.

President Ouattara commended Mr Mahama for establishing channels of dialogue with the Sahel states, noting that it will facilitate the reconciliation of the three Sahelian countries with ECOWAS.

The two leaders recognised their countries’ significant contribution to the global cocoa market, which accounts for approximately 80% of worldwide production.

They meeting centered on ways to influence global pricing of cocoa as world producing countries and value addition to the product.

Acknowledging that many waterways and tributaries cross both countries, the two Presidents noted the severe consequences galamsey has inflicted on their respective environments.

Chief of Staff Mr Julius Debrah has reiterated government’s commitment to equip the Ghana Armed Forces and other security agencies, to combat emerging terrorist threats

He has also called upon the  leadership of security agencies to promote more capacity building to produce generational and forward looking thinkers ready to promote growth and development

The Chief of Staff was speaking at the Matriculation of the Nation College of Defense Studies (course 2-25 ) at Burma Camp on Wednesday, 5th March,2025.

The NCDS 2-25 brought together participants from Ghana, Gambia, Nigeria and Rwanda.

It is under the theme: Smart Governance for Sustainable Development.

He commended the Ghana Armed Forces for the vision and the opportunity for Senior offices of other security agencies.

Mr. Debrah noted that the college aligns with the global vision of developing problem solvers and that participants must take full advantage of the study.

“I have also taken note of the colleges vision and objectives which aim to imbue leadership, critical thinking and problem solving skills required to address Ghana and Africa’s complex security challenges”

He urged the matriculants to focus on addressing the emerging global security threats and safeguard the peace and security of the country while urging others who qualify to apply to take advantage of the NCDS and improve their lots.

“I want to remind you of contemporary threats posed by terrorists and violent extremist groups in our sub region and beyond. To tackle these security challenges Ghana’s national security strategy emphasizes the crucial role of enhancing regional corporations, intelligence sharing and capacity building ”

About NCDS

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) established the National College of Defence Studies (NCDS) in March 2023 to offer strategic Courses for senior military officers of the rank of colonels or equivalent and relevant national agencies of the same status. The directive on the establishment of the college was pursuant to section 29(1) of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act 2020 (Act 1023).

The College is a Tri-Service Institution that imparts skills in strategic leadership, contemporary management thought, concepts and practices, that lead to effective decision-making, enlightened leadership and efficient
resource management in a knowledge-centric environment to the senior leadership of the Armed Forces and relevant Ministries, Departments and  Agencies (MDAs) as well as international participants at the Conceptual, Directional and Functional levels.

President John Dramani Mahama has today hosted members of the Constitution Review Committee at its maiden stakeholder engagement.

The Committee Chaired by Prof. H. Kwasi Prempeh, engaged the President to seek his thoughts on the review of the constitution and learn about areas he believed required ammendment.

The Committee also took the opportunity of the engagement, to brief the President on their work so far and on areas where they needed additional support.

President Mahama expressed appreciation and satisfaction at the progress of work so far on the review of the constitution and pledged his government’s continued support.

The President highlighted thorny issues such as the election of MMDCEs,the emoluments of Article 71 office holders and the appointment of Ministers from Parliament as areas in need of ammendment to strengthen Ghana’s governance arrangements.

The Minister of Energy and Green Transition yesterday the 25th day of February 2025, withdrew the Unitisation Directives imposed on the 9th April, 2020, 14th October 2020, and 6th November 2020, mandating a compulsory unitisation between Springfield Exploration and Production Limited (Springfield) and Eni Ghana Exploration and Production Limited (ENI) in relation to the Afina-1X Discovery and the Sankofa Cenomanian Oil Field (Unitisation Directives).

The decision of the Minister follows a thorough review of the Arbitral Award referenced SCC Arbitration U2021/114 (ENI & Vitol v. Ghana & GNPC) dated 8th July 2024, and the legal opinion provided by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice.

It also follows consultations and dialogue with relevant stakeholders.

The Ministry acknowledged the Tribunal’s findings that while the issuance of the Directives breached the Petroleum Agreement due to the specific circumstances of their implementation, the concept of unitisation itself was not deemed inherently unlawful.

This provides Ghana with the flexibility to determine the most appropriate course of action in the national interest.

The withdrawal of the Directives is without prejudice to the power of the Minister to issue new directives where necessary for the equitable and efficient development of Ghana’s petroleum resources.

The Government will explore options for coordinated development within and near the WCTP 2 contract area and continue to support Springfield as an Indigenous Ghanaian E&P Operator to commercialize the Afina discovery which has proven to have potential to add to Ghana’s reserves of oil and gas.

It is also note-worthy that the appraisal of the Afina discovery has revealed the potential for substantial gas resources which would enhance Ghana’s energy security and sustainability.

The government will work with Springfield and other Contractors nearby to monetize these gas resources in an expeditious manner.

The government of Ghana reiterates its commitment to maintaining a conducive environment for investments in the upstream petroleum sector while ensuring compliance with the legal and regulatory framework governing the industry.

While Petroleum Comission continues to evaluate the appraisal report of the Afina 1X well, the government believes that the Afina field has the potential for a future unitisation or a development on its own. Government has confidence in Afina’s potential as a future unitised field or a tie back to an existing infrastructure for development.

The government also acknowledges that the Tama field, which is on the springfield block, holds 1.2 TCF of gas and can greatly contribute to the country’s energy security.

Government encourages both ENI & Springfield to keep the door open for negotiations to determine an amicable and commercial solution.

The government remains open to dialogue with its partners aimed at charting the best way forward in the sustainable exploitation of its natural resource endowments.

SIGNED

John Abdulai Jinapor

Minister of Energy and Green Transition