Even before the Government of Ghana officially comes out to officially deny or confirm reports that it has engaged the services international political and business consulting firm, Jefferson Waterman International (JWI) to represent its interests in the United States, Peacefmonline.com has stumbled across a copy of the �Political Advocacy Retainer Agreement� between the Government of Ghana and the American lobby firm.
The agreement was signed in April this year.
The term of the agreement is for �a 12month period commencing from the date of the signing of this agreement (30-04-2014) by both parties�.
Per the terms of the agreement - signed by Chief of Staff, Prosper Bani (on behalf of the government of Ghana) and Chief Executive Officer of JWI, Charles Waterman � Ghana will pay JWI �a retainer fee of USD 500,000 for each twelve month term, payable in advance�.
Policy think-tank, IMANI Ghana, which first broached the subject last Sunday claiming the Mahama-led NDC administration had engaged JWI in a strategic promotions contract estimated at 5 million Ghana Cedis (GHc); wondered the sense in �spending millions on American lobbyists,� given the country�s recent economic struggles.
IMANI-Ghana accused the current administration of not being transparent or lack thereof regarding details of the said agreement.
�There was no international competitive bidding. Even if not by advertisement in the international press, a qualified bidding process could have been done by inviting several eligible lobby firms to submit expressions of interest. Instead, we had to learn that Ghana has engaged Jefferson Waterman International (JWI) through compulsory disclosure requirements imposed on American lobby firms by US law,� the policy think-tank said in a statement issued by its founder Franklin Cudjoe.
Interestingly, claims IMANI, the ruling party, when in opposition, stridently criticized the practice of and questioned the value of engaging American lobby firms. The NDC then, believed the maintenance of a full diplomatic mission in the United States (in both New York and Washington DC), was sufficient to represent the full range of the country�s interests in the United States.
Meanwhile, a statement on the US lobby firm�s website confirms it has been representing Ghana since February 24, 2011, a country described as an �Oasis of Stability in West Africa�.
JWI Representing Ghana, Oasis of Stability in West Africa
Jefferson Waterman International is representing the West Africa nation of Ghana, providing services that will help the country meet the challenges of regional turmoil and achieve the full promise of its new oil production industry. JWI political and media representation is bringing the importance of Ghana�s continued stability and its widely recognized good governance to the attention of the American public, the U.S. Government, and the international community. JWI also is providing economic and security consulting support to strengthen Ghanaian infrastructures critical to commercial investment and oil production operations.
�This is an African country that has experienced a peaceful transfer of power in successive democratic elections,� said Charles Waterman, JWI�s CEO. �Ghana is stable, and as a result, economic growth nurtured by the international community, has been outstanding. It is in the interests of the U.S. and the rest of the world to maintain this model of civil institutions, progressive leadership, and economic sanity.�
Avoiding the �Oil Curse�
JWI�s Africa Advisory Board, composed of former U.S. ambassadors to the region, former senior IMF officials, and retired high-ranking U.S. military officials who have served in the region, have seen all too many nations suffer more than prosper from their oil production. Oil can lead to crippling corruption, unwarranted expenditures, and the mortgaging of oil production revenues into the future. Ghana is determined not to let this happen. JWI�s team is helping the government responsibly steer the nation�s evolution into an oil producing nation so that the industry�s success benefits the people of Ghana and forms a strong foundation for decades of commercial growth.
Keeping the Peace at Home and Abroad
As a major contributor to UN Peacekeeping Forces, Ghana plays a pivotal, positive role in nations across Africa and also in Lebanon, Georgia and Kosovo. Yet Ghana faces security challenges itself. New security responses are needed to prevent recent influxes of refugees from troubled neighboring countries from destabilizing the country, and also to make Ghana an even more robust counter-terrorism partner to the U.S. JWI is helping Ghana shape effective security measures, while its political representation is building support for them. Additionally, JWI is helping Ghana strengthen its maritime security infrastructure to safeguard offshore oil wells and personnel.
Turning International Confidence Into Investment
The U.S. Government�s Millennium Challenge Corporation�s recent selection of Ghana for renewal of its earlier MCC Compact reflects Ghana�s earned reputation for good business practices and economic performance. JWI is increasing awareness that Ghana is that rarity among African nations: rich in resources, but with a demonstrated respect for the rule of law, an educated English-speaking workforce, and leadership that supports rather than hinders private enterprise.
Source: Nana Kwadwo Asante/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana with some files from JWI Website
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