Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04ACCRA2213
2004-11-09 12:28:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Accra
Cable title:  

GHANA: FINAL PARLIAMENT ACTION IN 2004

Tags:  EINV EAIR ENRG GH OPIC 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ACCRA 002213 

SIPDIS

STATE PASS OPIC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV EAIR ENRG GH OPIC
SUBJECT: GHANA: FINAL PARLIAMENT ACTION IN 2004

REF: ACCRA 02044

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ACCRA 002213

SIPDIS

STATE PASS OPIC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV EAIR ENRG GH OPIC
SUBJECT: GHANA: FINAL PARLIAMENT ACTION IN 2004

REF: ACCRA 02044


1. This cable highlights significant legislation that passed
Parliament during its October 5 - November 4 session and
follows up on bills of particular US interest, as highlighted
Reftel.


2. In its final session of 2004, Parliament ratified the
OPIC-Ghana Investment Incentives Agreement, passed the
agreement to purchase VALCO from Kaiser Aluminum, and
approved a new civil aviation law and enabling legislation
for the West Africa Gas Pipeline (WAGP). Econoffs pushed
extremely hard for passage of these four items during early
October meetings with Parliamentary leaders (see reftel).
(Note: The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs told the
Ambassador that he appreciated the nudge from the Embassy on
these matters.) Parliament also passed the Venture Capital
and Long Term Savings bills, both priorities for President
Kufuor and his administration.


3. Parliament ratified the OPIC Investment Incentive
Agreement between Ghana and the U.S. on October 19. This
agreement, which was signed in 1999 but never ratified,
replaces the 1967 OPIC-Ghana agreement. The new agreement
will remove the lengthy GoG approval process that currently
delays approval of OPIC projects by months, OPIC will now be
allowed to operate in Ghana's private sector without prior
GoG approval of individual projects.


4. Parliament passed the Civil Aviation Authority Bill on
October 28. This replaces the 1996 civair law and will
ensure Ghana's compliance with obligations under the
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The new
law also strengthens the regulatory powers of the Director
General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). (Note:
Econoffs stressed to leading Members of Parliament that this
bill was critical for Ghana to stand a chance of retaining
Category One status during the FAA safety reassessment later
this year. End Note)


5. Following strong lobbying by Finance Ministry, Attorney
General's office, Kaiser Aluminum officials and Econoffs,
Parliament approved the VALCO Purchase Agreement on October

28. This agreement completes the GoG's purchase of 90
percent of the issued shares of Volta Aluminum Company Ltd
held by Kaiser Aluminum for USD 18.5 million (see septel).
There was some concern that Parliament's minority parties --
mainly the NDC -- would not support the agreement because
the GOG had previously made a payment of USD 5 million to
Kaiser without prior Parliamentary approval. However, the
Attorney General's strong support for the agreement during
several extraordinary meetings with the Finance and Trade and
Industry Committees overcame any opposition. The result was
that the minority parties overwhelmingly supported the
agreement and it passed with 120 votes in favor and only one
vote against.


6. Parliament passed the WAGP Bill on November 3. This bill
incorporates into Ghana's domestic laws the provisions of the
West African Gas Pipeline Treaty between Ghana, Benin,
Nigeria and Togo, which Ghana ratified in June 2004.
Parliament also approved a USD 40 million loan agreement
between Ghana and Nigeria to help Ghana fund its 16.3 percent
equity stake in the West Africa Pipeline Company (WAPCo).
Both actions were critical for WAPCo to achieve final
investment decision for the pipeline by the end of November.


7. Parliament also passed the Long Term Savings Bill on
October 28 and the Venture Capital Bill on November 3.
President Kufuor and Cabinet Ministers publicly stated that
these two bills were their top priorities for this session of
Parliament.


8. The Venture Capital Bill requires the establishment of a
Venture Capital Trust Fund, which will make capital
investments in small and medium scale enterprises and promote
the development of a venture capital industry in Ghana. The
GoG intends to finance the Trust Fund using approximately 20
to 25 percent of National Reconstruction Levy.


9. The Long-term Savings Bill passed allows for the formation
of tax-deductible savings schemes to serve as a supplementary
savings for retirements, home ownership and education.
Employers may also make use of the fund to arrange pension
funds for employees.


10. Comment: Minister of Parliament Owusu-Agyapong told Econ
and Poloffs on October 5 that there was little chance
Parliament would have time to cover its ambitious workplan.
This was an abbreviated, last session before the December 7
elections and Owusu-Agyapong doubted his ability to maintain
a quorum, with most MPs out on the road campaigning. That
Parliament cleared its entire docket is a testament to how
much it has improved as an institution. That Owusu-Agyapong
reoriented the schedule to emphasize the four items of
interest to the U.S. is an indication of the willingness of
Ghanaian government entities to cooperate with the U.S. It
also is an indication of the strong influence in Parliament
wielded by the Executive Branch. End Comment
YATES