Government Donates GH₵1 Million to Kantamanto Market Fire Victims
The government has fulfilled its pledge to support victims of the devastating Kantamanto Market fire, donating one million cedis to aid in their recovery. Apexnewsgh reports The fire, which occurred on January 2, 2025, ravaged over 7,000 shops, affecting more than 30,000 traders. President John Dramani Mahama had promised to provide assistance when the Kantamanto Traders Association, comprising 13 different groups, paid a courtesy call on him a week after he assumed office. True to his word, the government, through the Chief of Staff and senior officials, presented the compensation to the traders. But that’s not all – the government has also expressed its commitment to rebuilding the market into a modern, multi-purpose facility. This will not only enhance the businesses of used clothes dealers and other traders but also provide a safer and more secure environment. The Chief of Staff emphasized the need for dialogue on redesigning the market’s layout to prevent similar incidents in the future. Rev. Opoku Afreh, Chairman of the Kantamanto Traders Association, expressed gratitude for the government’s support and revealed ongoing negotiations with ACCESS Bank to secure a $100 million loan for the construction of a modern market. However, Afreh also called on the government to intervene in a dispute over the affected land, highlighting the need for a swift resolution to ensure the market’s redevelopment can move forward. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Finance Minister Dr. Ato Forson Rallies Team to Achieve Economic Stability
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Ghana’s newly appointed Finance Minister, has urged his team to join forces in driving the country towards economic stability. Apexnewsgh reports During his inaugural meeting with top management at the Ministry of Finance on January 23, 2025, Dr. Ato Forson emphasized the importance of collective support in achieving this goal. Accompanied by Fifi Kwetey, a former Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr. Ato Forson expressed his enthusiasm for the role, describing his return to the Ministry as a great privilege and opportunity to serve the people of Ghana. He underscored the team’s shared responsibility to improve the lives of Ghanaians, stating, “We are here to work together to better the lot of the people of Ghana.” Dr. Ato Forson outlined his key priorities, which include: Job Creation: Generating employment opportunities to boost economic growth Prudent Fiscal Management: Ensuring responsible management of public finances Exchange Rate Stability: Maintaining a stable exchange rate to support economic development Reduced Inflation: Implementing measures to curb inflation and promote economic stability These goals, Dr. Ato Forson emphasized, demonstrate his commitment to addressing Ghana’s economic challenges. With his team’s support, he aims to drive meaningful change and improve the lives of Ghanaians. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Reconsider and apologize, 60 ministers will not help your political cause– Afenyo-Markin to Mahama
Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, has cautioned President John Mahama against fulfilling his campaign promise to appoint only 60 ministers. Apexnewsgh reports Speaking on the floor of Parliament on January 23, 2025, Afenyo-Markin expressed concerns that the political class is succumbing to pressure from civil society organizations (CSOs) and their arguments against a perceived “big government.” Afenyo-Markin, a lawyer and lawmaker, emphasized the need for the political class to take ownership of the political narrative and not be swayed by uninformed arguments. He stated, “60 ministers will not help your political cause,” and advised President Mahama to consider apologizing to Ghanaians and engaging more ministers. Citing the example of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy, Afenyo-Markin highlighted the complexities of governance and the need for adequate representation. He urged the President to rethink his decision, saying, “We cannot allow this.” As a seasoned politician and legal expert, Afenyo-Markin’s concerns underscore the importance of careful consideration in governance. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Trump tells Putin to end ‘ridiculous war’ in Ukraine or face new sanctions
Donald Trump has warned he will impose high tariffs and further sanctions on Russia if Vladimir Putin fails to end the war in Ukraine. Writing on his social media platform Truth Social, he said that by pushing to settle the war he was doing Russia and its president a “The big favor”. Trump had previously said he would negotiate a settlement to Russia’s full-scale invasion launched in February 2022, in a single day. Russia has not yet responded to the remarks. Still, senior officials have said in recent days that there is a small window of opportunity for Moscow to deal with the new US administration. Putin has said repeatedly that he is prepared to negotiate an end to the war, which first began in 2014, but that Ukraine would have to accept the reality of Russian territorial gains, which are currently about 20% of its land. He also refuses to allow Ukraine to join NATO, the military alliance of Western countries. Kyiv does not want to give up its territory, although President Volodymyr Zelensky has conceded he may have to cede some currently occupied land temporarily. On Tuesday, Trump told a news conference he would be talking to Putin “very soon” and it “sounds likely” that he would apply more sanctions if the Russian leader did not come to the table. But in his Truth Social post the next day, he went further: “I’m going to do Russia, whose Economy is failing, and President Putin, a huge FAVOR,” he wrote. “Settle now, and STOP this ridiculous War! IT’S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE. If we don’t make a ‘deal’, and soon, I have no other choice but to put high levels of Taxes, Tariffs, and Sanctions on anything being sold by Russia to the United States, and various other participating countries.” Continuing, he wrote: “Let’s get this war, which never would have started if I were President, over with! We can do it the easy way, or the hard way – and the easy way is always better. It’s time to ‘MAKE A DEAL’.” Trump’s former special representative for Ukraine, Kurt Volker, said Trump’s threat of more serious sanctions on Russia “gives a signal to Vladimir Putin this is going to get worse, not better”. Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today program, he added: “We should incentivize Putin to say, ‘OK, it’s time actually to have a ceasefire.’” Russia’s deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy earlier told Reuters news agency that the Kremlin would need to know what Trump wanted in a deal to stop the war before the country moves forward. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the World Economic Forum on Tuesday that at least 200,000 peacekeepers would be needed under any agreement. And he told Bloomberg that any peacekeeping force for his country would have to include US troops to pose a realistic deterrent to Russia. “It can’t be without the United States… Even if some European friends think it can be, no, it will not be,” he said, adding that no one else would risk such a move without the US. While Ukraine’s leaders might appreciate this tougher-talking Trump – they have always said Putin only understands strength – the initial reaction in Kyiv to the US president’s comments suggests that it is actions people are waiting for, not words. Trump has not specified where more economic penalties might be aimed, or when. Russian imports to the US have plummeted since 2022 and there are all sorts of heavy restrictions already in place. Currently, the main Russian exports to the US are phosphate-based fertilizers and platinum. Speaking to the BBC, Volker said the Russian economy could take “substantial” damage if Trump chose to preserve or strengthen the toughest US sanctions so far, which he said were only levied as Trump’s predecessor Joe Biden left office. “Russia really didn’t feel as much pressure as they could,” he commented. Source: BBC
15 Years of MobileMoney: MTN Ghana Rewards Dedicated Partners and Agents
MobileMoney LTD, (MML) as part of activities to crown its 15th anniversary celebrations organized awards event across the country to honour its high-performing Partners, Agents and Merchants who have been instrumental to the growth of MTN MoMo in Ghana. Speaking at the National Awards night held in Accra, the Chief Executive Officer of MobileMoney LTD, Shaibu Haruna, expressed his appreciation to the Bank of Ghana and its various partners for trusting and choosing to work with MobileMoney LTD to drive financial inclusion over the past 15 years. He said, “After 15 years, we are happy to say that we have co-created and contributed significantly to Ghana’s FinTech industry through direct and indirect employment of Ghanaians. We continue to contribute significantly to government revenue, facilitate business growth and create digital entrepreneurs. Above all, the platform has brought dignity to many Ghanaians through the transformative power of financial inclusion.” Highlighting the prospects for MoMo, Mr. Haruna said, “We continue to see significant opportunities in digital payments, cross-border payments, insurance, investment and e-commerce. These are opportunities that we can co-create and develop in the future. Our ambition for the next decade is to provide ‘financial freedom’ for every Ghanaian and this we hope to achieve through partnerships”, he concluded. MobileMoney LTD presented awards to the following: Partners FinTech Champion of the Decade: Archie Hesse – CEO of Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GhIPSS) for his transformative influence on Ghana’s FinTech Overall Best FinTech Company of the Year and Government Partner of the Year- Hubtel FinTech Partner of the Year (B2B) – Nsano Ltd, for their exceptional business-to-business solutions. Most Innovative FinTech Partner award; – AppsNmobile, for their creative technological solutions that enhanced the MoMo experience. Merchant FinTech Partner of the Year- BluPenguin for their exceptional service to merchants. Bank Partner of the Year (Lending): Letshego, for supporting MoMo’s lending services. Fintech Partner of the Year: Jumo, for their crucial role in enhancing mobile financial services. Remittance Partner of the Year: IT Consortium for their dedication to remittance solutions. Most Innovative Product of the Year– Agent Flex by Tyra and FAB for broadening MoMo’s utility and accessibility. Organizations Supporting MoMo to Drive Financial Inclusion Government Partner of the Year-The Electricity Company of Ghana Corporate Partner of the Year -Keed Ghana Limited MoMo Agents and Merchants Awards South East & National Best Agent – I. K. Bediako Best Merchant – China Mall Ashanti & Bono Ahafo & Bono East Best Agent – Osuani Boakye Best Merchant – China Mall South West (Central/ Western/ Western North) Best Agent – Tahiru Issaka Best Merchant – De Jab Electronics Northern Ghana Best Agent – Abdul Gafaru Banganim Best Merchant – Sparkles Pub and Restaurant Award winners for the Agents and Merchant categories took home various prizes including e- cash and motorbikes. MobileMoney LTD launched its 15th anniversary celebrations under the theme ‘Empowering Communities: Celebrating 15 Years of Progressive Financial and Digital Inclusion’. Other activities undertaken as part of the celebrations included a customer promotion float, a stakeholder forum to discuss the impact of emerging technologies promoting financial inclusion, fraud education and awareness campaigns, digital finance training for SMEs and a cashless market/trade fair. The MoMo@15 awards showcased the partnerships and innovations that have shaped MTN MoMo’s journey, setting the stage for the next decade of growth in the financial sector. Since its inception in 2009, MTN MoMo has transformed the financial services landscape in Ghana, providing millions of people with access to convenient, secure, and affordable mobile money services. The platform has millions of users and continues to be an essential tool for financial transactions. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Coalition of Aggrieved Menzgold Customers Suspends Spokesperson Frederick Forson
The Coalition of Aggrieved Customers of Menzgold (CACM) has suspended its Spokesperson, Frederick Forson, indefinitely, effective immediately. Apexnewsgh reports The decision, announced in a press release on January 21, was made due to multiple violations of the coalition’s principles and policies. The leadership of CACM cited several reasons for Forson’s suspension, including: Unauthorized meetings Unapproved fundraising activities Misuse of CACM’s name Uncooperative behavior Unauthorized creation of WhatsApp groups Despite attempts by pastors and elders within CACM to mediate and restore unity between Forson and the leadership, his refusal to attend meetings and cooperate with the mediation team led to the suspension. As a result, Forson is barred from speaking on behalf of CACM or using the coalition’s name, logo, or letterhead. The leadership emphasized that the decision was made in the best interest of the coalition and its members, reaffirming CACM’s commitment to integrity and protection of its identity. Following Forson’s suspension, Ezekiel Annor Akagbo has been appointed as the acting Spokesperson of the coalition. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Northern Regional Minister-Designate Vows to Tackle Youth Migration
Adolf John Ali, the Northern Regional Minister-designate, has pledged to address the pressing issue of youth migration from the northern region to the southern sector, particularly Accra, in search of better opportunities. Apexnewsgh reports Speaking during his vetting, Mr. Ali acknowledged that the persistent migration of young people is driven by limited job opportunities, lack of resources, and poor living conditions. To tackle this issue, Mr. Ali outlined plans to create employment opportunities and improve living standards in the northern region. His proposed approach includes: Investing in Education and Skills Training: Equipping young people with skills to secure stable livelihoods within their communities. Promoting Entrepreneurship: Supporting local businesses and entrepreneurship initiatives to provide sustainable livelihoods for the youth. Addressing Root Causes of Migration: Tackling poverty, inequality, and inadequate access to essential services like healthcare and education. Mr. Ali emphasized the importance of implementing initiatives within the native communities rather than in urban areas like Accra. He cited a previous initiative by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to train head porters (Kayayei) in the Greater Accra Region, stressing that such programs should focus on empowering young people within their home regions. By addressing the root causes of migration and providing opportunities for young people in the northern region, Mr. Ali aims to reduce the incentive for migration and create a brighter future for the youth in the region. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Member of Parliament Advocates for E-Levy Restructure to Fund Free SHS
Mr. Isaac Boamah Nyarko, Member of Parliament for Effia Constituency in the Western Region, has advised the government to review and restructure the E-Levy to finance critical programs like the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy. Apexnewsgh reports Speaking to the media, Nyarko emphasized the need for sustainable revenue generation to support key government initiatives. Nyarko noted that cancelling taxes like the E-Levy, introduced to boost domestic revenue, could lead to revenue shortfalls and deficit financing. He argued that this would ultimately force the government to introduce new taxes, putting pressure on citizens. Instead, he suggested restructuring the E-Levy to better serve as a funding tool for critical programs. The MP pointed out that the E-Levy generated over GH¢2 billion in 2024, demonstrating its potential as a significant revenue source for government operations. He urged the government to reconsider the E-Levy’s role in Ghana’s revenue mobilization strategy, warning that scrapping the tax could harm government finances and essential social programs. Nyarko’s proposal highlights the need for careful consideration of the E-Levy’s impact on Ghana’s economy and social programs. As the government navigates revenue generation and taxation, Nyarko’s suggestions may contribute to a more sustainable and effective approach. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
President Mahama Appoints Emmanuel Siisi Quainoo as Acting Commissioner of Gaming Commission
President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Mr. Emmanuel Siisi Quainoo as the acting Commissioner of the Gaming Commission of Ghana. Apexnewsgh reports This appointment, which takes effect from January 22, 2025, is in line with Article 195(1) of the Constitution and Section 67 of the Gaming Act, 2006 (Act 721). As acting Commissioner, Mr. Quainoo will oversee the regulation and monitoring of the gaming industry in Ghana, encompassing casinos, sports betting, and lotteries. The Gaming Commission plays a vital role in ensuring that the industry operates fairly and transparently. Mr. Quainoo’s appointment is temporary, pending the required advice from the governing Board of the Gaming Commission, in consultation with the Public Services Commission. He has been given 14 days to accept or decline the appointment, as stated in the appointment letter signed by the Secretary to the President, Callistus Mahama, Ph.D. The President has conveyed his best wishes to Mr. Quainoo, expressing confidence in his ability to lead the Gaming Commission effectively. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
EPA CEO Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse Vows to Protect Ghana’s Environment
Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), has reaffirmed her commitment to protecting and preserving Ghana’s environment. Apexnewsgh reports In a statement on her X page, Prof. Klutse expressed her dedication to upholding the EPA’s mission, following a meeting with outgoing Executive Director Mr. John Kingsley Krugu on January 22. The meeting aimed to ensure a seamless transition of leadership, with Mr. Krugu providing Prof. Klutse with a comprehensive briefing on the current state of affairs at the EPA. A key highlight of the briefing was the institution’s elevation from an agency to an authority, granting it a broader mandate to protect Ghana’s environment. Prof. Klutse, a renowned climatologist and lecturer at the University of Ghana, has an impressive track record of research and publications focused on climate dynamics, variability, and impacts assessment. Her expertise will undoubtedly be invaluable in driving the EPA’s mission forward. With her commitment to serving the people of Ghana and protecting the environment, Prof. Klutse has set the tone for her tenure as CEO of the EPA. As she embarks on this new chapter, Ghanaians can expect a renewed focus on environmental protection and sustainability. Source: Apexnewsgh.com