The water supply crisis in Ghana is being exploited by all manner of pro-market corporate bodies ranging from the World Bank to Coca-Cola. While the World Bank is licking its wounds from failed private water management initiatives, such as the Aqua Vitens Rand Limited management contract in Ghana, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), its private sector arm, is investing in small-scale private water ventures via WaterHeath International (WHI).
Ghana
Social services
News
World Bank health insurance not delivering in Ghana
In a forthcoming paper, NGO Oxfam will criticise the national health insurance scheme in Ghana, which has received technical assistance from the World Bank, for failing to deliver equitable health care.
Rights
News
Inspection Panel raps World Bank in Ghana
A complaint to the World Bank Inspection Panel by the NGO, Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE), on behalf of the Agyemankata community has resulted in a report confirming violations of Bank policies on forced evictions and environmental hazards related to a planned landfill near Accra, Ghana.
Environment
Commentary
Ghana's off-shore nightmare
The IFC ignored due process requirements mandated by the laws of Ghana in the case of the Jubilee oil field project and should not have considered the loan applications at the board. In so dong the IFC is encouraging the infringement of the basic rules of governance and transparency.
Accountability
News
Ghanaians calls for expulsion of Bank rep
In January, Ghana Web, a daily news and resource site, issued a sharp attack on the World Bank and its country representative in Ghana demanding that the president expel the World Bank country director in Ghana from his post.
Rights
News
Panel investigates Ghana's landfill complaint
In October the board accepted the Inspection Panel's recommendation for a full investigation into a complaint filed by the NGO Centre for Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE)
Accountability
News
Ghana Inspection Panel request
COHRE has filed a complaint to the Inspection Panel.
Infrastructure
News
WAGP: delays, investigation
The construction of the controversial West Africa Gas Pipeline (WAGP) has been delayed by instability in the Niger delta.
Rights
News
The IFC at fifty: All that glitters is too much gold
As the International Finance Corporation (IFC) marks its golden anniversary, the institution claims to serve "as a catalyst for innovative, market-based solutions for reducing poverty and addressing environmental and social challenges". The reality fails to justify such a glittering perspective. Problem gold mine projects in Ghana, Peru and Kyrgyzstan and serious weaknesses in its recent human rights impact assessment programme undermine the future credibility of an institution that is increasin
Accountability
News
Request for inspection of West Africa gas pipeline
In April, the Ifesowapo Host Communities Forum in Nigeria requested the Inspection Panel investigate the West African Gas Pipeline project.
Rights
News
IFC backs controversial Ghana gold mine
On 31 January, the IFC approved a $125 million loan to Newmont Mining Corporation for the development of the Ahafo gold mine project in western Ghana, which NGOs link to human rights and environmental problems.
Land
News
Setbacks to privatisations across Africa
The collapse of a flagship water privatisation in Tanzania, and opposition to both a planned privatisation of the state cotton board and the completed privatisation of the state railway in Mali, highlight the continuing struggle over pressure from the Bretton Woods institutions to privatise in Africa.