Listed Ghanaian banks posted record profits for the first half despite their loan-loss provisions rising by 17 percent from a year ago. Earnings before tax of the banks – seven in all – jumped by 49 percent to GH¢0.65billion and their profit before tax margin increased slightly to 49 percent. The strong results have underpinned the 20 percent return on financial stocks in 2014. Total banking revenues rose by 35 percent to GH¢1.3billion, boosted by 31 percent growth in net interest income and

The US$323million Accra Eco-Park Project that will transform the Achimota Forest into an up-class commercial eco-tourism destination in West Africa is awaiting the selection of a lead investor/private partner for take-off. This follows the inauguration of a 10-member Project Implementation Committee that has been taskedto provide technical and managerial direction as well as supervise realisation of the project, which is expected to take five years to complete. The Forestry Commission, custodian

“I am disappointed with our approach to solar,” says Dr. Kwabena Donkor, Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Energy and Mines -- and he is not alone in thinking that government’s pursuit of grid-connected solar energy is misplaced. For fear of losing their jobs, they are not saying it openly, but technocrats in the energy sector are equally murmuring disquietly over government’s pursuit of grid-connected solar energy when cheaper forms of energy are needed to take care of base

The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) says the main goal of its Integrated Business Establishment Survey (IBES) is not to expand taxation of the informal sector, but to create a national database of businesses for effective policy- and decision-making. GSS has fixed September this year to commence the nationwide census to capture all non-household establishments in the country. The three-month exercise will see the enumeration of most business outfits irrespective of their status as registered or unregistered

President John Dramani Mahama has asked development partners to provide West Africa with the requisite technical support and training to enable the sub-region to confront emerging security threats. He mentioned the threat posed by terrorists in the North Eastern parts of Nigeria and Mali, and the impending general elections in six African countries with potential related disputes, saying these are threats that could destabilise in the area. A statement signed by the Flagstaff House Communication