UK to Repatriate £43m Stolen Money to Nigeria

The British Government has said it will repatriate 43 million pounds siphoned by corrupt Nigerian government officials to offshore accounts. In a release signed by the Independent and Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, the declaration was made by the liaison officer for West Africa of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), Mr Michael Dockree when he visited the ICPC headquarters, Abuja. According to the ICPC statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Mike Sowe, Dockree said he came to ICPC to discuss potential areas of cooperation between the two agencies, particularly in the areas of education, public enlightenment, intelligence gathering and asset tracking. He also emphasised his government`s commitment and assistance to security agencies and anti-corruption Commissions. ICPC Chairman, Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, who was represented by Dr. Uriah Angulu assured Dockree of the Commission`s readiness to partner with stakeholders in the United Kingdom in all aspects of the anti-corruption campaign. Ayoola said the activities of the Commission will be enhanced as soon as the National Assembly amends the Act establishing the Commission which will make it more proactive in dealing with cases of Corruption. Also speaking at the courtesy call, three officials of the ICPC, Sir Simeon Oguntimehin, Dame Julie-Nwariaku and Alhaji Abdullahi Bako thanked Dockree for his visit and commended the British Government for its Commitment in the fight against corruption in Nigeria. Source: Thisdayonline.com

Ghana Investment Forum held in UK

President Mills at Commonwealth Business Council

Professor Atta Mills says if Ghana is to make any meaningful progress, economically then a stronger partnership with business both home and abroad is of the essence. While forging these links, it was also necessary to be open, honest, confident in our own ability, and have the interest of the nation and the people at heart. These were his remarks when he launched the Ghana Investment Forum at Lancaster House in London, organized by Commonwealth Business Council.

This was a meeting of Business minds and they had come from different sectors with one agenda – in search of fertile ground to sow. And as it is with Business people not only must the soil be conducive but secure and free from risk and danger. 

The Chief Executive Officer of Stanchart Ghana, Hemen Shah made it prettier by expressing optimism in Ghana’s story, saying Ghana was an exciting business destination. With a staff strength in Ghana of over 1000 and also one-third of its shares held by Ghanaians, Mr Hemen Shah said Ghana had foundational strengths in doing Business and a strong talent base to grow the Economy and the Private Sector however, this was not without hurdles.

Professor Mills was of the view that there could be no development in an atmosphere of unrest, lawlessness and selective justice. He said Ghana was more than ready to prove to the World that racecourses accrued from investment could be positively used for the benefit of her people. He asked all who had an interest to come to Ghana but cautioned them to comply with the rules, laws and regulations of the country.

The Director – General of the Commonwealth Business Council, Dr.Mohan Kaul suggested the arrangement of a West African Business Forum to promote Ghana as the Gateway to Business in the Sub- region. This idea was supported by Standard Chartered, Ghana International Bank and Chevron.

Conservative Party Leader confers with President Mills

President Mills with David Cameron and others   Leader of the Conservative Party in U.K., David Cameron, has highly praised President John Atta Mills for his matured approach to politics and his open-minded style of governance. Conferring with President Atta Mills as part of his official visit to U.K., Mr. Cameron said that with the world having stayed glued to Ghana's election, the world is still glued to happenings in Ghana and President Mills' style of governance is commendable. According to Mr. Cameron, Ghana has done Herself and the Continent proud and every effort must be made to move forward in the right direction. The Leader of the Conservative Party said further that President Mills disposition as an opposition leader and as President is one that is worth emulating. As regards Ghana/U.K ties, the Conservative Leader said he was pleased that President Mills is making a strong case not only for Government assistance, but also making a case for more British entrepreneurs to make Ghana their preferred investment destination. President Mills thanked Mr. Cameron for his kind comments but said that it is the people of Ghana who must be commended for deepening and entrenching the nation's democracy. According to President Atta Mills, majority of Ghanaians wanted a change and were determined to safeguard their mandate through acceptable channels. "We have invested a lot in peace and democracy and at this point, there is no turning back" President Atta Mills said. His Excellency the President also singled out the Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Kwadwo Afari Djan, for commendation and said that the Commissioner took decisions that were in the best interest of Ghana. "The Commissioner was firm and at the times that he needed to take critical decisions, he did not waver" President Atta Mills said. On the issue of attracting donor support and investments into Ghana, President Atta Mills said that as a government that is anchored to the tenets of social democracy, it is his prime concern to make sure that his government invests heavily in social intervention programmes hence his unrelenting approach to seeking the needed funds to execute his agenda. "At the end of my term, I will be judged by the extent to which my Team has been able to improve the standard of living of the people of Ghana and not by any other yardstick and so I am committed to nothing but building a Better Ghana" President Atta Mills said. "We have been hit by the global financial crisis but we still need to build schools, build hospitals, provide good drinking water, and I am determined to do just that" President Atta Mills added. His Excellency President John Atta Mills congratulated David Cameron for the leadership role he is playing in the politics of Britain.