Fighting phone theft: Sim cards to be registered with their devices – Ursula Owusu
Communications and Digitalisation Minister-designate Madam Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has outlined measures which when confirmed, her ministry will enforce to curb the incidence of theft of communication devices in the country. Taking her turn at the vetting by members of the Appointments Committee of Parliament, Madam Owusu-Ekuful intimated that the issue of SIM card registration will be visited, this time, however, to capture the devices in which they operate as well. She noted with concern that one of the highest criminal activity Ghanaians are grappling with, is the incidence of mobile phone theft. The former Communications Minister asserted that they will soon embark on SIM re-registration as part of efforts to properly secure citizenry and to combat criminal use of technology. “We have taken a decision to revisit the SIM registration regime, to do it and do it properly. One of the major concerns that have plagued SIM registration in the past has been the lack of an effective ID to verify the identity of whoever was registering the SIM. “Nowhere in the world can you just acquire a SIM card without registration? And looking at the uses to which we are putting our mobile devices, it is not just a mobile phone for talking now, it is your bank, it is your office, it is your entertainment device and it is storing very confidential information of yours. “…Not only the SIM will be registered but the device on which the SIM is used as well. And we hope that by that we will cut down the theft and resale of devices. That’s one of the commonest petty crimes occurring in our country currently… “if the device is also registered, once it is reported stolen it can be blocked and it cannot be unlocked,” Madam Ursula Owusu Ekuful told the Committee. In October 2019, owners of SIM cards were asked to undergo a re-registration exercise between January 2020 to June 2020. At the time, the directive from government formed part of moves to fight sim card misuse and mobile money fraud. She explained that Ghanaians would be required to register with a national ID card. Ghanaweb Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: +233555568093
Cal Bank Drives Market while MTN Dominates Trading Activity
Cal Bank (+2.67) advanced the benchmark index by 1.20 points to close today’s session at 2,028.32 with a year-to-date return of 4.47% while the market capitalisation inched up by 0.02% to settle at GH¢55.35 billion. Consequently, the GSE Financial Index was up 2.18 points (+0.12%) to close at 1,863.63 with a year-to-date return of 4.54% while the SAS Manufacturing Index remained flat at 1,619.23 with a year-to-date return of -4.83%. Trading activity waned as 19,736 shares valued at GH¢14,937 changed hands from 144,405 shares valued at GH¢98,696 in the previous session. MTN Ghana dominated trades by both volume and value, accounting for 99.24% and 98.76% of the total volume and value traded, respectively. We anticipate activity levels to increase. Ecobank Nigeria secures N50 billion 10-Year Subordinated Loan Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (GSE: ETI) ETI, the parent company of the Ecobank Group, has announced that one of its significant subsidiaries, Ecobank Nigeria, has secured N50 billion, 10-Year bilateral subordinated loan. SasGhana Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093
MTN Ghana Drives Benchmark Index Higher
The benchmark index advanced by 11.74 points (+0.60%) to close at 1,967.52 with a 1.34% year-to-date return as a result of an upward price movement in MTN Ghana (+1.56%) while the market capitalization increased by 0.22 % to settle at GH¢54.67 billion. The GSE Financial Index recorded no gains or losses, closing at yesterday’s level of 1,787.20 with a year-to-date return of 0.25% while the SAS Manufacturing Index remained unchanged at 1,701.33 with a 0.00% year-to-date return. Trading activity increased as 20,043,692 shares valued at GH¢13,237,531 changed hands from 55,480 shares valued at GH¢47,879 in the previous session. MTN Ghana dominated trades by volume and value, accounting for 99.90% of the total volume traded and 99.83% of the total value traded. We anticipate activity levels to increase. Anglogold Ashanti Completes Sale of Entire Interests in the Sadiola Mine AngloGold Ashanti Limited (GSE: AGA) AngloGold Ashanti Limited (AGA) is pleased to announce, together with its joint venture partner IAMGOLD Corporation (IMG), the complete sale of their entire interests in Société d’Exploitation des Mines d’Or de Sadiola S.A. (“SEMOS”) to Allied Gold Corp (the “Transaction”). SEMOS’ principal asset is the Sadiola Mine located in the Kayes region of Western Mali. Prior to the completion of the Transaction, AGA and IMG each held a 41% interest in SEMOS with the remaining 18% interest held by the Republic of Mali. AGA is currently trading at GH¢37 per share on the Ghana Stock Exchange. sasghana Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.
MTN Ghana Foundation empowers youth in mobile phone repairs
MTN Ghana Foundation has commissioned the Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Project (YEEP) at Nsawam which saw 50 beneficiaries graduate with certificates in mobile phone repairs. The project which was a partnership between the MTN Ghana Foundation and Plan International aimed at empowering young people with employable skills needed to help reduce youth employment rates in the Nsawam area. Experts in mobile phone repairs were engaged to train the youth in introduction to mobile phone technology, basic customer service, front end repairs, repair and rectification of faults of mobile phones. They were also trained on how to maintain a safe and secure work environment. At the end of the training programme, the beneficiaries comprising 36 young men and 14 women were each provided with equipment and kiosks to start their own mobile phone repair ventures within Nsawam and its environs. Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, a board member of the MTN Ghana Foundation Mrs. Nabilla Williams said “Despite the good intentions of government and the private sector, youth unemployment is a major source of concern. This is why, this project is really important and timely. The training and equipping of these youth to engage in mobile phone repairs is certainly a fantastic project which we all have to embrace. A Group Picture Of The Dignitaries And Beneficiaries After The Commissioning She said “Based on this, the MTN Ghana Foundation has committed GHc445,000 to support the training of 100 young women and men in Nsawam and Suhum. The first 50 beneficiaries are passing out today with skills in mobile phone repairs.” On her part, the IT Manager of Plan International, Madam Maud Tsagli, expressed her gratitude to MTN Ghana Foundation for accepting to partner them to implement the project. She said “equipping the youth with entrepreneurial skills and employment aims at fulfilling the SDG goal 8.” The Municipal Chief Executive for Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipal Assembly, Hon. Isaac Kwadjo Buabeng who was the special guest of honor thanked MTN Ghana Foundation for coming on board to empower the youth in his municipality. He also encouraged the beneficiaries to put the skills and knowledge acquired to good use by not only seeing it as a source of income avenue but as an avenue to create employment for others in their various communities. Mrs Nabilla Williams Board Member Of Mtn Ghana Foundation Presenting A Certificate To A Beneficiary At The Commissioning The representative who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries expressed their profound gratitude to MTN Ghana Foundation for coming to their aid with such novel training. Since the inception of the MTN Ghana Foundation in 2007, the Foundation has implemented over 154 major projects in areas of health, education and economic empowerment at a total cost of USD 15million. These projects are estimated to have impacted over 4 million people. About the MTN Ghana Foundation: The MTN Ghana Foundation was established in November 2007 as the vehicle to select and implement MTN’s Corporate Social Investments. MTN Ghana Foundation has three areas of focus -Health, Education and Economic Empowerment. From its inception to December 2017, the Foundation had undertaken 150 major projects across the country. Notable health projects include: construction of a Neonatal Care Center for Tamale Teaching Hospital, refurbishment of the 2nd floor maternity block of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, construction of a maternity block for Ejisu Government Hospital, and construction of an Emergency Center for Atua Government Hospital. Education projects undertaken include: construction of a boys dormitory for Akropong School for the Blind, construction of a six-unit classroom block for Kodjonya Millennium School, establishment of 10 MTN ICT Learning Centers in each of Ghana’s 10 regions and the institution of an Innovation Hub at KNUST to promote Telecoms Engineering and Research. Key projects undertaken in Economic Empowerment include: the construction Palm Oil Processing Center at Juaso, shea butter processing centers, provision of seed capital and skill training for Women of Tizaa Dini Association of Yendi and the Sung Suma Women Association of Wa Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.
Enrolment doubles at Nhyiaeso D/A Basic School as new MTN Ghana Foundation-sponsored classrooms opens
Enrolment at the Nhyiaeso D/A Basic School has more than doubled following the completion and handing over of a new classroom block. Following a JoyNews Agenda report, MTN Ghana Foundation handed over a fully furnished six-unit classroom block and a teachers’ bungalow to the school. The Nhyiaeso D/A Basic School has become the choice of students in adjoining communities even in the Sekyere Afram Plains district. That modern edifice does not only make teaching conducive but provides the right learning environment. “It is really captivating to see students in an environment like this. They don’t even want to go home and they are really enjoying what MTN has given to us,” Municipal Director of Education for Asante Akim, Mildred Ama Kwakye Agyapong said. Teacher supervise students of Nhyiaeso D/A Basic School The student population has increased from 256 in 2019 to the current 673. Primary school accounts for 458, with the rest at kindergarten and JHS. Nasidu Amidu is one of 45 junior high students who have so far changed their schools from Dagomba in the Sekyere Afram Plains District to Nhyiaeso. “My classroom at Dagomba used to leak badly. Fortunately for me, there is a new classroom for me here. I am elated to be in this new classroom. I am always happy to come to school because of the new classroom,” said Amidu. Amidu with four of his friends who until now trekked several kilometres to attend school at Dagomba in Sekyere Afram Plains District. “I didn’t come to Nhyiaeso D/A Basic School alone. I came with some of my friends. The new classrooms are very conducive to learning. The feeling is different here,” he said. Education authorities are happy with the intervention of the MTN Ghana Foundation. The District Director of Education said, “Just yesterday when we did the ‘My First Day at School’, we had about 45 new entrants. Apart from those coming from Nhyiaeso village, others came from the environs so you can imagine. By the close of this week, we are expecting more.” The education directorate is grateful to MTN Ghana Foundation and The Multimedia Group for the support as Municipal Director of Education, Mrs. Agyepong predicts increasing enrolment figures. “I believe it’s going to increase by the time we get to the second or third week in Nhyiaeso. A lot of students are ready to come to the school in Nhyiaeso. “Now we have trained teachers in the school and above all, the building itself is attracting them [students] to get enrolment here. It’s really comfortable,” Mrs Agyepong said. Myjoyonline Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.
MTN Ghana fetes and awards journalists in Kumasi
MTN Ghana has applauded journalists, especially those in Kumasi, for their continuous support in the dissemination of the company’s news and projects to the general public. Madam Georgina Fiagbenu, Corporate Communications Senior Manager, MTN Ghana, said the media had helped in the company’s development agenda. Speaking at the end of year press soiree for journalists in Kumasi, she said though the past year was turbulent due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company strived to shape the lives of many people, especially the vulnerable in society. The occasion was also used to award some four journalists for outstanding performances in the past year. They included Ms Patricia Bonsu of Fox FM for the most innovative journalist, Mr Michael Ofosu Afriyie, the Ghanaian Observer, most supportive journalist. Mr Bernard Buachie of Raw Gist was awarded the fastest reporter while the most proactive reporter award went to Mr Richmond Frimpong of Oyerepa FM. Madam Fiagbenu advised Ghanaians to transact MTN businesses with people they trust to reduce the rate of fraudulent acts. On COVID-19, she advised Ghanaians to continue observing all the protocols to further minimize its spread. Mr Kingsley Hope, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), lauded MTN Ghana for the initiative and requested that it was sustained to boost the morale of journalists to work hand-in-hand for a common goal. GNA Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications
MTN rewards best MoMo agent in Northern Ghana with a car
Mr Haruna Mohammed, a retail agent for MTN in the Savannah Region, has received a mini Toyota Rush from MTN Ghana, as a reward for being the best Mobile Money (MoMo) agent of the Company’s Northern Business District. The ultimate award was presented to him at the annual awards for MoMo agents and merchants in Tamale in recognition of his hard work and commitment. Other awardees in the categories of Mobile Agents, External Mobile Agents, Merchants and Area Account Developers received digital televisions, mobile phones and tablets as prizes. The Best Area Account Developer and the second-best MoMo agent received motorbike each as special awards of the year. Mr Simon Amoh, the Senior Manager for North General Trade of MTN Ghana, said Agents, Merchants and Distributors have been the lifeline to the growth of MoMo services and MTN’s businesses. He said selection for the award winners was based on the volume and value of transactions and the adherence to laid down rules and regulations. He urged the awardees and staff to keep up the good work to ensure delivery of best services to customers, adding that the company would continue to motivate its trading partners for business growth. Mr Amoh cautioned partners and customers not to disclose their MoMo pin, allow others do transactions on their behalf and avoid discussing wallet details with strangers, because fraudsters keep revising strategies as the company intensifies education and enhance internal security processes. Chief Superintendent, Iddrisu Tanko, Tamale Metropolitan Police Commander, entreated MTN to take both cyber and physical security of customers seriously by installing CCTV cameras to monitor happenings. He advised MoMo agents to call the Police emergency number for protection when they sense danger and ensure they operate within a well-marked location with clear roads, where the police could easily locate them in times of danger. GNA Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.
MTN GHANA DONATES GIFTS TO CHRISTMAS BORN BABIES
Office of the Upper East branch of MTN Ghana, a leading country telecommunication has distributed assorted items which includes, towels, diapers, blankets, toiletries, clothes, soap, and some other baby necessities to mothers of 13 babies delivered on Christmas day at the Nalerigu Baptist Medical Center. According to the Territory Sales Controller for the Upper East Region Mr. Richard Asamane, who spoke to Apexnewsgh.com after making the presentation to mothers of the Christmas born babies, said MTN Ghana believes in humanitarian gestures and as part of their yearly activities, they always visit hospitals every December 26th to put a smile in the faces of nursing mothers and their newborns by way of sharing with them some basic necessities needed to take care of their children. Meanwhile, the Staff Midwife who was at the post on Boxing Day December 26, Madam Josephine Ayamga, expressed satisfaction with such a humanitarian gesture and show of love exhibited by MTN Ghana. She said five males and seven females were delivered and out of the 13 deliveries, six went through normal delivery whiles the other six went through caesarean section. Meanwhile, the Staff Midwife who was at the post on Boxing Day December 26, Madam Josephine Ayamga, expressed satisfaction with such a humanitarian gesture and show of love exhibited by MTN Ghana. She said five males and seven females were delivered and out of the 13 deliveries, six went through normal delivery whiles the other six went through caesarean section. However, Madam Ayamga used the opportunity to ask for more support from the leading telecommunication. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.
MTN Ghana excels at the 2020 project management awards
MTN Ghana has emerged tops at the 2020 edition of the Project Management Awards held in Accra. The awards, currently in its second year, seeks to recognise and award excellence in Project Management. MTN Ghana emerged tops in the following categories; Project Management Company of the Year Economic Impact Project of the Year Innovative Project Award Project Team of the Year Congratulating the MTN team, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Mr Selorm Adadevoh, said “these awards are a testament of MTN’s commitment to executing relevant and impactful projects that delivers value. Pearl Anakwa, Manager, Solutions Design and Support receiving Innovative Project Award on behalf of MTN In his remarks, Mr William Tetteh, General Manager for Capital Projects, thanked the organizers for the awards. He said, “as the person responsible for leading the execution of capital projects in MTN, it is my responsibility to ensure that the projects are well planned and executed within the project management framework. He admonished the team to continue to employ best practices to ensure that projects impact society positively.” MTN’s approach to project management is guided by the Bright Delivery Methodology (BDM) which provides a standardised project-portfolio management approach with a focus on delivery and benefits applicable to all projects across the business. It is this approach that won MTN Ghana, the Project Management Company of the Year award. Jerry Nyamekye, Senior Manager, Transmission Implementation receiving Economic Impact Project of the Year Award The team’s execution of the MTN Ghana Fibre Project which resulted in the laying of fibre to Urban Homes in Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi and Koforidua, covering a total of 33 communities won the Project Management Team of the Year. MTN MoMo Limited’s launch of MAgric in partnership with GSMA to drive digitization in agriculture won the Economic Impact Project. The Innovative Project Award was underpinned by MTN TurboNet project which saw the provision of synchronised communication of all forms anywhere, anytime over the internet, making it possible for homes and business owners to serve their customers better. MTN Team at the Awards Ceremony The Project Management Award recognizes individuals or organisations who pursue best practice in economic development through projects and attained the highest standards of professional conduct and competence within the project management space. The maiden edition was held in 2019 which saw MTN picking five awards. jbklutse.com Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093.
MTN’s Ayoba Messaging Platform Wins Africa Digital Award for Best Mobile Application
Ayoba, MTN’s instant messaging platform and super app has won the 2020 Africa Digital Award for Best Mobile Application in Africa. The award was presented during the event ceremony hosted by Africa Digital Festival to honour Africa’s Digital Champions during the year. According to the company, the award reflects its achievements during the course of the year. Despite the pandemic, the app reportedly witnessed a sharp rise in user especially in the fourth quarter. It explained that the increase was driven by a positive response by users to the many significant updates to the app. Connecting Africa through content Launched in August by MTN, Ayoba is a platform for customers to primarily send and receive messages. The platform has grown into a super app that offers free access to an ecosystem of digital and rich media services which includes channels, micro-apps and payment solutions to its millions of active monthly users. In November 2019, Ayoba hit a milestone of 1 million active users in just 4 Months To make communication easier the app now supports over 22 local languages like Pidgin, Yoruba, isiZulu, isiXhosa, Swahili, Hausa, French and English spoken across the MTN markets. Ayoba is currently operational in Nigeria and several other MTN markets including Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Congo Brazzaville, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Afghanistan and South Africa. Ayoba started the year as an instant messaging app with a small offering of content channels. But it has since grown to over 124 content channels during the course of the year. The channels include news and official COVID-19 updates, music and music news, full gaming offering, lifestyle updates and education across 7 languages. Ayoba has also grown into a super app that offers services like MusicTime, which provides 200 new tracks every week for users; and Gaming which has more than 120 free games. The startup, recently partnered with MTN Mobile Money (MoMo) to allow its users to send and receive money. This is currently available in Cameroon, Ghana and Uganda. Now, the app is adding MicroApps, a feature that allows lightweight web apps developed by third parties to address a specific community need. These apps can be accessed from within the Ayoba app. Like the app itself, MicroApps are zero-rated for MTN customers, which means they can be used even when the user has zero data balance. Speaking on the new feature, Nolan Wolff, Head of Ayoba explained that MicroApps was designed to bring opportunity for African developers. ‘We are so proud to launch MicroApps. One of our key goals for Ayoba is to build a platform that brings opportunity for African developers. MicroApps will allow local developers to create apps that reflect local culture and values and solve local challenges. It’s an incredibly exciting community development platform.’ Nolan Wolff, Head of ayoba In Summary Ayoba’s goal is to bring more people into the digital world by providing them with affordable and simplified digital communication services. The recent award shows that Ayoba has been making considerable progress towards achieving its goal. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. CONTACT:0555568093