Some experts to speak at the event

Today is the Day 2 of the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) Downstream Dialogue being held at the Fiesta Royale Hotel.

The event has brought together key industry stakeholders, policymakers, and experts to discuss pressing issues in Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector.

The high-level event is serving as a platform for critical discussions on fuel pricing, regulatory frameworks, supply chain efficiency, taxation policies, and the future of energy transition in the industry.

Officials from the Ministry of Energy including the sector minister Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, CEO of COMAC, Dr. Riverson Oppong among other industry experts will outline upcoming regulatory measures aimed at stabilizing fuel prices and improving market transparency.

These industry experts will also provide insights into recent global oil price fluctuations and their impact on Ghana’s petroleum sector.

Discussions will focus on sustainability and energy transition, with panelists exploring opportunities for alternative fuels, clean energy solutions, and investment in renewable energy projects to future-proof Ghana’s petroleum industry.

Watch the livestream below:

SA/MA

Ace broadcaster Collins Atta Poku has disclosed that concerns about his safety contributed to his decision to resign from Wontumi FM.

He explained that his mother had a dream about a funeral and cautioned him to be wary of what he consumed at work.

The sports journalist stated that his mother gave him a directive to give money to a colleague who was allegedly envious of his success at the radio station, which he did.

Atta Poku indicated that after fulfilling the directive, he felt the need to leave Wontumi FM and join another media outlet for his peace of mind.

“My mother called me and cautioned me to be careful with what I eat and drink because she had a dream that she was at a funeral. She gave me a directive to put money in my pocket in a white handkerchief and give it to the first person I met at work. She told me that the person was grieving at work because I was overshadowing him.

“So, I saw Kanta at the gate first and gave it to him, saying he had lost his dad, and I had too. My time was up, so let’s not make an issue out of it,” he said in Twi on Wontumi FM.

The broadcaster further clarified that he did not leave due to a grudge with Wontumi FM’s owner, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, well-known as Chairman Wontumi, as alleged by some individuals.

“There was no problem with Chairman [Wontumi]. If the work environment is toxic, you have to leave,” he added.

Afterwards, Chairman Wontumi implored the sports journalist to return to his radio station to strengthen the team.

“He [Atta Poku] should come back from wherever he is at the moment,” he said in Twi.

Watch Atta Poku’s remarks in the video below:

Meanwhile watch this explainer on the dismissal of the No. 12 corruption case after Anas refused to testify without mask

SB/EK

By Linda Naa Deide Aryeetey

Accra, Feb 19, GNA – Ghana has recorded one case of Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV).

This is the first case detected since the country begun testing for human metapneumovirus hMPV in January 2025.

Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health, announced this on Tuesday in a brief to Parliament on ongoing disease outbreaks in the county.

He said the testing commenced in response to recent increases in respiratory cases in China and some temperate countries in December last year and a case was detected from an elderly person.

“So far, a total of ninety (90) samples have been selected for testing, and only one positive case has been detected for hMPV,” he said.

The Minister assured the public that the risk of HMPV in Ghana remains low, stating that the county has a robust surveillance systems in place to monitor for respiratory viruses, including HMPV.

“The systems have been strengthened in recent years, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic,we assure the country that any case of HMPV will be quickly identified and managed to prevent spread,” he said.

Mr Akandoh said the Ministry of Health is fully committed to working with its partners to control the ongoing outbreaks and to protect the health of all Ghanaians.

He said Ghana had strengthened her surveillance to detect and track cases and will continue to raise public awareness about prevention and control measures.

The Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a respiratory virus that can cause a range of respiratory illnesses, from mild cold-like symptoms to severe pneumonia.

While it can affect people of all ages, it is most commonly seen in young children, older adults, and those with weak immune systems.

The World Health Organisation says the virus spreads like other common cold viruses do, through infectious respiratory particles that spread through the air from a sick person to others.

This means a person can catch the virus when they are close to a sick person or sharing a closed space with them. It can also enter the body by touching contaminated surfaces like doorknobs or handles and then touching the eyes, nose or mouth.

According to the WHO , hMPV infections can be prevented by wearing a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces.

It said the public can improve ventilation where possible by opening a window for air flow. 

The WHO says the virus can be prevented by cleaning hands regularly and thoroughly, with either soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.

It advised the public to avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth without cleaning hands first.

“Having a strong immune system can also help fend off infections, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and sleeping properly helps,” it said.

When someone is sick, they can avoid making others sick by staying at home if they feel ill and covering nose and mouth with a tissue or bent elbow when coughing or sneezing.

The WHO says there is currently no vaccine licensed for use against hMPV, but research is ongoing.

GNA

Africa must take decisive action to strengthen tax systems and curb illicit financial flows (IFFs) to close the continent’s significant financing gap, President John Dramani Mahama has stated.

Speaking at a high-level side event on ‘Africa at the Forefront: Mobilizing African Investment and Financing for Implementing Agenda 2063’, at the African Union Commission Headquarters, he emphasised that domestic resource mobilisation is key to achieving the ambitious goals of Agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

However, with financing still a challenge, he stressed: “To address the financing gap, we must take a multifaceted approach. Domestic resource mobilisation is crucial. By improving tax administration, combatting illicit financial flows and fostering a culture of tax compliance, we can significantly increase our revenues.”

The financing gap for Africa’s development is estimated at approximately US$402billion annually until 2030.

This gap represents critical investments in infrastructure, education, technology and healthcare, which are necessary for the continent’s transformation.

“To achieve sustainable development, we envision that strategic investments in health, education, energy, technology and infrastructure are essential.

However, the financing gap for these investments is substantial – estimated at approximately US$402billion annually until 2030 in order to achieve the ambitious targets of Agenda 2063 and meet the (SDGs).

“This financing gap is not merely a statistic – it represents the unrealised potential of millions of Africans whose dreams for a better life depend on our ability to invest wisely,” President Mahama noted.

He added: “Our challenge, therefore, is to mobilise domestic and African resources effectively, reducing our dependency on traditional external financing and charting a path toward self-reliance and sustainable growth”.

He lauded the African Union Commission’s ongoing efforts to build capacity among member-states and advocate for fair and equitable international tax rules.

Economic outlook and challenges

Despite economic resilience, Africa’s real gross domestic product (GDP) growth slowed to 3.1percent in 2023 from 4.1percent in 2022. However, projections indicate a rebound, with growth expectedly rising to 3.7 percent in 2024 and 4.3 percent in 2025.

“This optimistic outlook highlights the inherent strength of our economies and effectiveness of our policy interventions,” Mr. Mahama said.

He noted that Africa continues to grapple with structural challenges, with many economies remaining dependent on low-productivity sectors while geopolitical tensions, climate issues and pandemics disrupt growth.

As such, he stressed that without strategic investments in key sectors, economic growth would not translate into significant per capita income improvements.

He highlighted the need to improve tax systems and increase the median tax-to-GDP ratio by 13.2 percentage points to 27.2 percent of GDP by 2030.

He also welcomed ongoing global efforts such as the United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation, aimed at eliminating the base erosion and profit shifting which undermine Africa’s tax revenues.

However, he cautioned that domestic efforts alone would not suffice and called for global financial architecture reforms to ensure equitable resource distribution.

Multilateral financial institutions

President Mahama underscored the role of African Multilateral Financial Institutions in financing sustainable development, saying: “These institutions are uniquely positioned to address significant trade, investment and development gaps across the continent”.

Establishing the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI), also known as the Africa Club, was highlighted as a critical initiative to strengthen Africa’s financial sovereignty.

“This initiative enhances the capacity of these institutions to advocate for homegrown solutions to our continent’s challenges,” he stated.

He also highlighted the African Virtual Investment Platform (AVIP) launch by the African Union Commission to foster sustainable investment.

“By aggregating comprehensive data on investments and related policies, this platform will provide the evidence-based foundation for informed policymaking,” he said.

He further stressed the urgency of accelerating implementation of African Union Financial Institutions, including the African Central Bank, African Investment Bank, African Monetary Fund and Pan-African Stock Exchange.

“By mobilising resources, facilitating trade and financing infrastructure projects, these institutions will help reduce dependency on external aid and foster a self-sustaining African economic ecosystem,” he stated.

Political will and strategic partnerships

President Mahama urged governments, private sector players, civil society and development partners to renew their commitment to mobilising resources for Africa’s development.

“Strong political will and effective policy coordination are crucial for the successful implementation and impact of our financial institutions,” he said.

Ghana, he added, remains committed to advocating for the expedited establishment of these institutions, recognising their significance in advancing Africa’s economic transformation.

Watch the latest edition of BizTech below:

Click here to follow the GhanaWeb Business WhatsApp channel