MTN Ghana bags Seven awards at the 6th Finance Innovation Awards
MTN Ghana carried the day by winning seven awards at the 6th Africa Finance Innovation Awards held over the weekend, making the organization the highest recipient of the night. MTN received awards in the following categories; Investor Relations Team of the Year Corporate Performance Team of the Year Finance Team of the Year – Telecom Finance and Innovation Award – Telecom In addition to the corporate awards, MTN received three personality awards. The Acting Chief Finance Officer of MTN Ghana, Mr. Kobina Bentsi-Enchill has been adjudged the Most Promising CFO of the Year. MTN Group Chief Financial Officer, Madam Tsholofelo Molefe and the former Chief Finance Officer of MTN Ghana, Mr. Modupe Kadri were named among top 25 CFOs in Africa. The Finance team has also been recognized as the Team of the Year for the fourth consecutive time. For the second consecutive time, MTN was adjudged Investor Relations Team of the Year and Corporate Performance Team of the Year. Receiving the awards, the Acting CFO at MTN Ghana, Mr. Kobina Bentsi-Enchill expressed appreciation to the organizers for the awards. He dedicated the awards to the Finance Team, MTN Customers, Suppliers and Vendors. Commenting on the awards, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN, Selorm Adadevoh commended Kobina for his leadership skills and congratulated him for the Can Do, team spirit and the zeal exhibited in ensuring the Finance team continues to deliver on its mandates in Ghana and beyond. “MTN as a good corporate citizen continues to abide by the laws of Ghana and ensures prompt filing and payment of taxes over the years. This acknowledgment was made by the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo in his address at the launch of MTN’s 25th Anniversary celebration” he added. Selorm thanked Kobina and the Finance team for the sterling performance and congratulated Tsholofelo Molefe and Modupe Kadri for being named among the top 25 CFO’s in Africa. The 6th Africa Finance Innovation Awards recognized corporate institutions that have gone beyond responding and recovering by transforming and rebuilding their organization in the new normal era for a stronger future following the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Africa’s economic development. The Finance Innovation Awards has been rebranded over the years. The awards organized by Instinct Business, from inception named the awards CFO Awards, rebranded to Ghana Finance Innovation Awards and now Africa Finance Innovation Awards. MTN Ghana’s Finance Management and Innovation continue to be recognized over the years. MTN has won 15 awards from 2016 to 2019. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
Twitter ban: Facebook, IG unveil free products for content creators
American media magnate and Chief Executive Officer of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, seems to be on a swift mission to attract more social media users in Nigeria when he announced free products for content creators on all Facebook-owned services including WhatsApp and Instagram. According to Zuckerberg, the free products will enable creators to make more money, adding that the offer will be available till 2023. “To help more creators make a living on our platforms, we’re going to keep paid online events, fan subscriptions, badges, and our upcoming independent news products free for creators until 2023. And when we do introduce a revenue share, it will be less than the 30% that Apple and others take,” he wrote in a Facebook post on Monday. Unlike microblogging site Twitter; Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp cannot be said to have ruffled the feathers of the Nigerian government. In fact, in August 2016, Zuckerberg visited Lagos, Nigeria. The trip was his first to sub-Saharan Africa. “This is my first trip to sub-Saharan Africa,” he had said in a Facebook post. He had met with the Nigerian President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo during his visit. Zuckerberg also met with tech developers and entrepreneurs mostly in the Yaba area of Lagos which has been described as the tech hub of Lagos. “The energy here is amazing and I’m excited to learn as much as I can,” the Facebook chief had said during the trip. But the Chief Executive Officer of Twitter, Jack Dorsey, has not been in the good books of the Nigerian government since last October over an allegation that he was complicit in the promotion of the #EndSARS protests that ended in the destruction of lives and billions of property in Nigeria. Last week, the Buhari regime suspended Twitter, citing the “persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence”. The Federal Government’s action followed a deletion of a controversial civil war post by the President. The Buhari regime has since come under fire for what many termed as a restriction of the right of expression. The international community including the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, amongst others have since knocked the Buhari regime for the action but the Federal Government has been unyielding in its stance insisting that the sovereignty of the West African nation must be respected by the San Francisco tech giant. Millions of content creators in Nigeria, who earn their living from the microblogging site, have been affected as they are forbidden from using Twitter. Some of them have since embarked on a journey of diversification while exploring other social media platforms. Nigeria, with over 200 million people, had about 33 million active social media users as of January 2021. WhatsApp is the most popular platform used in the country, with over 90 million users according to Statista. Also according to Statista, about 61.4 per cent of Nigerian social media users use Twitter, 86.2 per cent use Facebook, 81.6 per cent use YouTube, 73.1 per cent use Instagram, and 67.2 per cent use Facebook Messenger. Punch Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
UER (VIDEO): Truck Pushers cries out loud, say the hardship is affecting their daily income.
Truck Pushers in the Bolgatanga Municipal Ayia Market of the Upper East Region have said life in recent times, is becoming too hard on them. The truck pushers made the confession during an engagement with Apexnewsgh-Tv a newly growing online platform in the Upper East Region. One of the veteran truck pushers in the Bolgatanga market who introduced himself as Sampson Abane said, he must be sincere and frank to say that the system is becoming so terrible on them. “The market is not good at all because no money in the system. So, the market women will not get money to go and buy the goods and come and sell, to enable we the truck pushers get something for ourselves. The system is affecting many people”. He said Meanwhile, another truck pusher who expressed his dissatisfaction with the current situation said because of the hardship in the system, after carrying the heavy load for the market women they will not receive an immediate payment will only be told ‘go and come later’ “Some of the women, we will work for them and they will be saying today, tomorrow or tomorrow next before they will pay and some of them too, say go and come and we don’t like it like that. Because if you worked finish, you have to collect your money”. He lamented Indeed, the contribution of truck pushers in our various markets are hugely overlooked, even though they played a very wonderful and important role to our mothers and fathers in the market. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
Prices of Millet, maize, rice and others in the Upper East Region increasing massively- Apexnewsgh-Tv reports (WATCH VIDEO)
For some time now, Bolgatanga Municipal as a regional capital of the Upper East Region has become a place of unbearable increment of goods and services. This trending development is gradually becoming a huge canker that cannot be controlled if care is not taken by those mandated and paid with the taxpayer’s money to control such irregularities. Unfortunately, the two main local political party communicators in the region NDC and NPP have started playing politics with such terrible development in the name of ‘I SPEAK FOR MY PARTY’ without considering the majority of the needy and those who cannot afford to meet up with the growing unfortunate development. Very pathetic, isn’t it? From what Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen gathered when Apexnewsgh-Tv visited the popular Bolgatanga Ayia market of the Upper East Region, it appears that millet and maize saw an increment of over (95) percent between the last year 2020 and the month of June 2021. Ironically, the market women themselves were not happy with such development. According to them, the skyrocketing prices of their products are gradually becoming an impediment to them because consumers are no longer forthcoming to patronize them as usual and that is affecting their responsibilities at home as family breadwinners. That’s alarming, isn’t it? Even though Apexnewsgh-Tv crew tried so hard to avoid some political comments during our engagement with some of these traders, they still insist on blaming the government of the day for their predicaments. According to them, during the time of John Dramani Mahama and the NDC, things were better for them and everyone in need of buying their product was able to afford it. Just last year 2020, a bag of maize was sold between Ghc 120.00 to Ghc 150.00 and a bag of millet was sold between Ghc 150.00 to Ghc 200.00. Currently, as at June 5, 2021, the Price of Maize is sold in the Bolgatanga Ayia market between Ghc 230.00 and Ghc 240.00 whiles millet is sold between Ghc 340.00 and Ghc 350.00 A bag of unpolished local rice 100kg bag is sold between Ghc 500.00m and Ghc 530.00 Prices of groundnut and Dawadawa bags isn’t an exception. Watch the video: Indeed, it is gradually becoming a true reflection of a particular popular saying that ‘when two elephants fight, the grass suffers’ May those in control at the top, remember to consider the ordinary people who struggle to eat ones in a day. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
Breaking News: Prez Buhari and his government Suspends Twitter Indefinitely After Social Platform Blocks Its President’s Account
Amidst the growing discontent against Twitter, Nigeria became the first country to suspend the US-based micro-blogging website in the African continent. Accusing Twitter of double standards, the Nigerian government ceased operations of the social media platform after it froze President Muhammadu Buhari’s account. Notably, Twitter had months ago banned former US President Donald Trump for allegedly inciting violence during the unfortunate breach of Capitol Hill. Making the announcement on Friday, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed condemned the ‘persistent use’ of Twitter for activities allegedly capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence. The stern action comes days after Twitter removed a post by Nigeria’s President that threatened punishment for separatists in the country’s southeast region that officials have blamed for frequent attacks on federal property. “Many of those misbehaving today are too young to be aware of the destruction and loss of lives that occurred during the Nigerian Civil War. Those of us in the field for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand,” the Nigerian President had tweeted which was later taken down. Alleging that Buhari’s aforementioned tweet violated the social media platform’s ‘abusive behaviour’ policy, Twitter removed the post and suspended his account for 12 hours. Nigeria accuses Twitter of double standards Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed called Twitter’s mission in Nigeria “suspicious” and added that the US technology company has an agenda. “We have a country to rule, and we will do so to the best of our ability. Twitter’s mission in Nigeria is very suspect, they have an agenda. The mission of Twitter in Nigeria is very suspicious,” Mohammed had said on May 2, as per ANI. Further, the Nigerian minister said that the social media firm had overlooked the tweets of leading secessionists in the nation. He went on to say that when people were burning police stations and killing policemen in Nigeria during ‘End SARS’, a decentralised social movement, then for Twitter it was about the right to protest. “But when a similar thing happened in the US, it became insurrection,” Mohammed said. Twitter faces backlash in India The significant development comes at a time when the California-based social media platform is facing backlash in India as well. While the new IT rules for social media platforms came into effect on May 25 this year, Twitter is yet to comply with the guidelines despite stating that it ‘strives’ to do so. The Government of India in a stern communication had objected against its non-compliance and issued a warning to the firm. The matter has reached the courts with the Delhi High Court adjourning the matter until July 6. Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
PRESIDENT NANA ADDO DANKWA AKUFO-ADDO APPLAUDS MTN GHANA, ASKS COMPANIES TO EMULATE THE COMPANY’S ACHIEVEMENTS
The President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has applauded MTN Ghana’s successes within the past two and a half decades. The President said MTN Ghana deserves commendation for the achievements it has attained over the past 25 years. The President said this during the official launch of MTN Ghana’s 25th anniversary at an impressive ceremony held in Accra on June 2, 2021. The ceremony which was attended by the Minister of Communications and Digitalization Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful saw the unveiling of the 25th anniversary logo and a host of activities outlined for the anniversary period. The ceremony was also attended by other Regulators, Partners, Suppliers and the media. MTN Ghana Board Chairman Dr. Ishmael Yamson and the MTN Foundation Board Chairman Prof Franklin Manu along with the members of both boards and Executives of MTN were present at the event. Speaking at the event, President Akufo-Addo said, “Your slogan ‘Everywhere You Go’ says it all. My heartfelt congratulations go to all staff of the organization, policymakers, regulators, service providers and MTN subscribers past and present. Government appreciates your hard work and continuous contributions to the telecommunications sector and the country as a whole”. He added, “We are confident that many more organisations will be inspired by your 25-year journey and successfully emulate your achievements.” The anniversary launch was an opportunity to recount the immense contributions of MTN Ghana to the growth of Ghana’s telecommunications and ICT sector. The CEO of MTN Ghana, Selorm Adadevoh, used the occasion to express his appreciation to all those who have contributed to the success of the business. He said, “We are deeply humbled and recognize that this achievement has only been possible with the support and contributions of so many before us, who have toiled and built the foundations upon which we stand today. He said, “I will also like to recognize the role the people of Ghana have played in MTN’s business successes. Firstly, for giving us the opportunity to serve you and secondly, for your patronage, feedback and loyalty over the past 25 years”. Whilst recounting the achievements of the company, the CEO said, “we have impacted the lives of Ghanaians in many ways including our social interventions in communities around the country through the MTN Ghana Foundation and our financial inclusion efforts. Selorm Adadevoh also used the opportunity to share the future focus of the business. Some of the dignitaries at the event included the South African High Commissioner Madam Grace Jeanette Mason, the Former Deputy Minister of Communications and a former Executive of MTN Ghana, Hon George Andah, Director General of the NCA Mr Joe Anokye, CEO of Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications Dr. Ken Ashigbey and the CEO of the Ghana South Africa Business Chamber Grant Webber. The CEO of Ghana Investment Promotion Center Mr. Yoofi Grant as well as the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Communications Hon Cynthia Mamle Morrison and some members of the committee were also present. The Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission Rev Daniel Ogbamey Tetteh, MD of the Ghana Stock Exchange Mr Ekow Afedzie, the Director General of NITA Richard Ofosu Kyere, GIFEC Administrator Mr Kofi Asante all attended the event. The Head of Payment Systems of the Bank of Ghana Dr Setor Amediku, Head of Innovation and Fintec Head of the Bank of Ghana Kwame Oppong, the President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Affail Monney and the CEO of the Consumer Protection Agency, Mr Kofi Kapito, CEO of Huawei Technologies Tommy Zhou graced the occasion with their presence. Customers of MTN Ghana were also informed of a number of promotions designed to reward them for their loyalty to the brand over the past 25 years. The promotions include the ‘Good Day promo’, ‘National Promo’, and ‘Top 2500 customers’ promo’. Prizes to be won include, cars, phones, electronic devices, data and airtime. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
Ghana’s daily minimum wage increased from GHC11.82 to GHc12.53
2021 National Daily Minimum Wage has been increased by (6%) six percent to GHc12.53 effective June 4, 2021, from the GHC11.82 that took effect on January 1, 2020. This is in pursuance to the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) section 113 (1) (a), and comes after concluded negotiations by the National Tripartite Committee (NTC) on the determination of the National Daily Minimum Wage. The negotiations also concluded on the 2022 National Daily Minimum Wage. It pegged the 2022 minimum wage which is to take effect on January 1, 2022 at GHc13.53. “In determining the new rates, the NTC took into account the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the national economy, cost of living, sustainability of businesses and desirability of attaining high level of employment,” a communiqué following the negotiations stated. The Committee urged all organizations paying below the minimum wage to ensure that they adjust their wages in accordance with the new wage, warning that organizations that flout the new rate will be duly sanctioned. “All establishments, institutions or organizations whose Daily Minimum Wage is below the 2021 National Daily Minimum Wage should adjust their wages accordingly with effect from 4th June, 2021. Any establishment, institution or organization that flouts the new rate shall be sanctioned in accordance with the law. The NTC further made a recommendation for the National Daily Minimum Wage to be tax-exempt. Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
MTN 25 years anniversary and event picture footages
On Wednesday, 2nd June 2021, President of the Republic of Ghana Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo joined the management and staff of MTN to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the company’s entry into Ghana’s telecommunications market. Speaking at the event, President Akufo-Addo said MTN has been consistent in creating and deploying innovative technologies, products, and services in Ghana over the years, in accordance with global standards and trends, and has helped sustain investment in the country. From being the first to introduce GSM technology in Ghana, to launching commercially 2G, 3G, and 4G LTE mobile generations of technology, Mobile Money, pioneering the use of Mobile Money for IPO subscriptions on the Ghana Stock Exchange, amongst others, MTN has carried its subscribers along with this positive evolution. President Akufo-Addo, also said the operations of the company have transformed the country’s digital transformation journey so far, a situation he believes should be archived in a museum for generations yet unborn to learn about. “I look forward to MTN Ghana collaborating more with the government to develop more innovative solutions to solve problems for our country”, she said. Meanwhile, the Chief Executive of MTN Ghana, Selorm Adadevoh also pointed some key strategies for the company in the future. “We are always delighted to introduce customer care products and services that will greatly benefit the Ghanaian people.” “As we celebrate the past, let’s also look at the next five years ahead of MTN Ghana with enhanced digital solutions to make payment and money transactions easier for all”, he stated. “The MTN Group believes in the use of ICT infrastructure to transform the country’s economy and indeed for the continent. We are committed to delivering on our promises to even make the brand bigger and better” He stressed. However, President Akufo-Addo further entreats the telecom giant MTN Ghana to support the growth of Ghanaian young entrepreneurs in the tech space. SOME PICTURE FOOTAGES AT 25TH ANNIVERSARY Photo credit Presidency Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
GRA moved to cashless
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) effective, today, Tuesday, 1 June 2021, will no longer accept personal cheques for the payment of taxes and levies in any Domestic Tax Revenue Division or Customs Division office. Taxpayers are, therefore, advised to pay all cheques issued in the name of GRA for payment of any tax types at some designated banks. The 22 banks include FBN Bank, Absa Bank, GCB Bank Limited, United Bank for Africa, Agricultural Development Bank, Societe Generale Ghana, Zenith Bank, GT Bank, Fidelity Bank, Universal Merchant Bank and First Atlantic Bank. The others are Republic Bank, Ecobank Ghana, Cal Bank, Universal Merchant Bank, Prudential Bank, Consolidated Bank Ghana, Access Bank, Bank for Africa, Omni Bank, Standard Chartered Bank and Stanbic Bank. “Henceforth, all taxpayers are to file returns and pay taxes using Ghana.gov portal,” a circular noted. Classfm Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
BoG reduces policy rate to 13.5%
The Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of Ghana has reduced its lending rate by a 100 basis point from 14.5 percent to 13.5 percent. What this means is that individuals and businesses will be seeing a drop in the cost of borrowing. This is the first time the Prime rate has been lowered post-coivd-19. According to Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison, their redecision was based on the global financing conditions which remain favorable in the first quarter of this year as well as on the domestic front, underlying inflation which subdued marginal signaling growth in the economy post-covid-19. Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addision announced this to journalists at the 100th MPC Meeting on Monday, 31 May 2021. Classfm Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093