GRi BEF News Ghana 20 - 12 - 2000
Trade Ministry reviews gateway project
Glencar says
discovers gold prospect in Ghana
Irish Times (Ireland) 20 December
2000
Glencar Mining said today it has
discovered another high-grade gold prospect in Ghana within a short distance of
an earlier discovery and its existing mining operations.
The Ireland based mining company
said exploration drilling on a new area of the Wassa Mining Lease has
intersected high-grade gold mineralisation at Ballyebo, a new prospect two
kilometres to the southwest of the existing Wassa mine and one and a half
kilometres to the southeast of the previously reported prospect at Bawdia
Bosso. Results of the first phase of exploration drilling at Bawdia Bosso
indicate the presence of ore-grade gold mineralisation at shallow depths, it
said.
Drilling on its Kildare zinc/lead
prospect is continuing, it said, adding that the company expects to reach the
target zone in January 2001.
GRi…/
Accra (Greater Accra) 20 December 2000
Mr Dan Abodakpi, Minister of Trade and Industry, on Tuesday reviewed steps taken by the Ghana Trade and Investment Gateway Programme and said significant strides have been made towards achieving set targets.
The first phase of the programme is to help realise Ghana's Vision 2020. Its objective is to attract a critical mass of export-oriented firms to accelerate export-led growth, facilitate trade and create the environment to encourage private sector investment and reduce the cost of doing business in Ghana.
Mr Abodakpi said the project is being implemented by six front-line agencies - Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Ghana Free Zones Board (GFZB), Ghana Investment Promotions Centre (GIPC), Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS).
Mr. Abodakpi said CEPS has replaced pre-shipment inspection with destination inspection that will facilitate the fast clearance of goods at the ports and ensure that appropriate duties are paid on imported goods.
Additionally, the use of mobile x-ray scanning equipment was introduced in June at Tema. "With the installation of the fixed scanner, we are now able to put to use the mobile scanner at the Port of Takoradi. This is the first fixed x-ray equipment operating in sub-Sahara Africa," Mr Abodakpi said.
He said the EPA has set up an office at the Tema port to monitor both liquid and solid waste management and air quality at the free zone enclave and other existing free zone areas of the municipality.
With the GCAA, Mr Abodakpi said the liberalised skies policy is being pursued within the context of the gateway project with the aim of making the Kotoka Airport the hub in the sub-region.
The minister said Messrs Louis Berger of the USA has been engaged and has already started work to develop a holistic aviation sector policy.
Mr. Abodakpi said the GCAA is undertaking extension and expansion works at the airport while radar and aviation equipment are being upgraded.
He said Boeing, aircraft manufacturers, have been attracted to Ghana, which will serve as its headquarters for its African operations.
A new Immigration Act has also been enacted to replace the Old Aliens Act 160 of 1963 and outline new regulations to provide required legal supportive base for the emerging initiatives.
"In order to facilitate and make the work of GIS much more easier for travellers and residents under the Project, the GIS operational processes and procedures are being computerised," Mr Abodakpi said.
GRi…/
Accra (Greater Accra) 20 December 2000
The following are the average inter bank exchange rates of the cedi equivalent to the dollar and derived rates for other major foreign currency:
Currency Buying Selling
US Dollar 6,777.91 6,977.45
Pound Sterling 9,977.76 10,274.30
French Franc 925.86 952.84
Swiss Franc 4,038.60 4,154.59
Deutsche Mark 3,104.85 3,196.13
Canadian Dollar 4,442.46 4,571.43
Japanese Yen 60.58 62.33
Dutch Guilder 2,755.98 2,836.24
S/African Rand 882.72 907.65
Euro 6,073.63 6,248.81
CFA Franc 9.26 9.53
Naira 67.21 69.19
Ecowas/WAUA 8,725.09 ---------
GRi…/