MP Urges Government to Enforce Tax Compliance on Multinational Social Media Companies
Davis Ansah Opoku, Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, has sounded the alarm on the need for tax compliance among multinational social media companies operating in Ghana. Apexnewsgh reports Speaking in Parliament, Opoku expressed concern over the Ghana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) struggles to collect taxes from these digital giants, despite their significant financial activities in the country. Opoku emphasized that while Ghana embraces digitalization to boost revenue collection, it’s essential to ensure the country reaps financial benefits from digital transactions. “If social media platforms generate revenue within our economy, they must meet their tax obligations,” he stated. Opoku’s remarks came during a discussion on the need for stronger regulations in Ghana’s digital economy, initiated by Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, MP for Klottey Korle, and Kennedy Osei Nyarko, MP for Akim Swedru. Samuel Nartey George, Minister for Communication, also contributed to the discussion. Opoku stressed that the revenues generated from taxing these multinational companies could fund critical national development projects, such as road infrastructure in his constituency and across the country. He called for a structured approach to prevent Ghana from losing out on these essential financial inflows. Ghana’s tax challenges are not new, with concerns over low tax compliance and suboptimal revenue generation persisting over the years. The country’s corporate tax gap is significant, and addressing tax avoidance and evasion is crucial to boosting revenue. By enforcing tax compliance on multinational social media companies, Ghana can ensure a more equitable distribution of wealth and fund critical development projects. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
My Only Job is as MP, Not Minister” — Isaac Adongo Assures Constituents
Bolgatanga Central Member of Parliament, Isaac Adongo, has called for calm among his constituents following his exclusion from the recently announced deputy ministerial list. Apexnewsgh reports Adongo acknowledged the disappointment felt by many, particularly the youth, but urged them to trust in President John Dramani Mahama’s judgment. “We have a country to run for four years, and he needs our support to succeed,” Adongo said, emphasizing the need for unity and support for the president’s administration. He reiterated his commitment to serving the people of Bolgatanga Central, stressing that his primary responsibility is to represent and advocate for his constituents in Parliament. Adongo expressed confidence in the competence of those appointed, urging his supporters to respect the president’s decision. He also cautioned against actions that could disrupt the peace of the constituency, emphasizing that his efforts to help return Mahama to power were not meant to be a source of division or embarrassment. In a statement, Adongo assured his constituents, “My only job you gave me is as an MP and not a minister, and I will do my best to give off my best. It’s well. Our time will come.” He also warned against disturbing the peace of the constituency in his name, saying, “I didn’t work to get JM to return to power just for you to embarrass him”. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Protest Erupts in Akosombo Over Exorbitant Electricity Bills
Residents of six communities in the Asuogyaman District of the Eastern Region took to the streets of Akosombo on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, to protest against the Volta River Authority (VRA) over what they describe as exorbitant and accumulated electricity bills. Apexnewsgh report The affected communities—Combine, Tusker, Mangoase Afabeng, Osukwao, and Mataheko—are demanding urgent intervention from the VRA, claiming they have been burdened with accumulated bills ranging from a thousand to over ten thousand cedis. Many residents who are unable to pay have had their power supply disconnected, affecting both homes and businesses. According to Mr. Michael Worlanyo, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, the disputes over electricity tariffs between the VRA and consumers in the area have persisted for the past eight years. The issue began after the replacement of analogue meters with credit 300 meters, which residents claim have led to unexpectedly high electricity costs, resulting in widespread defaults and mounting arrears. “The bills are simply too high, and many of us cannot afford them,” Mr. Worlanyo stated. “We are not refusing to pay, but we need a flexible payment plan.” Another resident, Isaac Dagadu, echoed similar concerns, warning that if the VRA fails to address their grievances, they will stage a large-scale demonstration in the coming days to demand a resolution. The residents are calling on the VRA to engage with them and introduce a structured payment plan that would enable them to settle their debts without further hardship. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Supreme Court Grants Substituted Service Application in NDC Parliamentary Case
Supreme Court has granted an application for substituted service filed by lawyers of NDC Parliamentary candidates for Techiman South, Okaikwei Central, Tema Central, and Ablekuma North constituencies. Apexnewsgh reports This move comes after the party’s earlier application to quash the High Court decision ordering the Electoral Commission (EC) to collate and declare results of the four constituencies. According to Seth Nyaaba, lead lawyer for the NDC parliamentary candidates, efforts to serve court documents on the NPP candidates had been unsuccessful, necessitating the substituted service application. The court was informed that multiple attempts to serve the documents personally had proven futile, and further attempts might be “practically impossible”. Justice Henry Kwofie, presiding over the case, granted the application, directing that the service be done by posting copies of the relevant documents on the Supreme Court’s notice board, the defendants’ residences, the Office of Parliament’s legal department, and via WhatsApp. This development is the latest in the ongoing dispute over the 2024 parliamentary election results. The Supreme Court had earlier quashed the results in the re-collation of votes in the same four constituencies, citing the trial judge’s violation of the NDC Parliamentary Candidates’ right to a hearing. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Minister of Education Directs University of Ghana to Reduce Residential Fees
In a move aimed at alleviating the financial burden on students, Minister of Education Haruna Iddrisu has directed the Management of the University of Ghana to reduce residential facility fees by 25%. Apexnewsgh reports The directive, which was issued on February 6, will see fees drop from GHC3,000 to GHC2,500 across the board for both fresh and continuing students. During a meeting with the University’s Management, including Vice Chancellor Prof. Nana Aba Amfoh and the Students Representative Council, Mr. Iddrisu emphasized the need for student engagement in future fee announcements. Prof. Amfoh assured the Minister that the University will comply with the directive, ensuring that students are involved in fee discussions moving forward. While students have welcomed the reduction, some are calling for a refund of fees already paid. Maradona Adjei Yeboah, President of the Students Representative Council, requested a refund for students who have already paid the full fee, citing the reduced burden on parents as a positive step. With 80% of students having already paid residential facility user fees, the University’s Management will need to consider the refund request as they implement the fee reduction. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
NPP Members support NDC to chase CEOs out of office
In a surprising show of unity, members from both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) are calling for Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) appointed by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to vacate their offices. Apexnewsgh reports This comes after the change of government, with President John Dramani Mahama’s administration seeking to install new leaders who share their vision and ideas. Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, former CEO of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme, expressed his support for the NDC’s efforts to force out CEOs who are refusing to leave office. “The office is a public office which can be occupied by others,” he emphasized.¹ Ofosu Nkansah argued that if NDC appointees had not stepped down, others would not have had the opportunity to serve. Kofi Tonto, a member of the NPP’s communications team, echoed similar sentiments. He stated that CEOs who campaigned against President Mahama’s vision and ideas should not expect to remain in their positions. “Step down for those who believe in his ideas and vision. It’s that simple!” he wrote on Facebook. The comments from Ofosu Nkansah and Kofi Tonto highlight the need for a smooth transition of power and the importance of installing new leaders who align with the current administration’s goals. As Ghana continues to navigate its post-election landscape, this united call for CEOs to step down may mark a new era of cooperation between the NDC and NPP. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
See BTU Lecturer Who Predicted 2024 Election Accurately Ahead of Mussa Dankwah but Not Known Because….
In Ghana’s 2024 electioneering campaign, three personalities stood out for their widely read election opinion polls. Apexnewsgh reports Ben Ephson of the Daily Dispatch News Paper, Mussa Dankwah of Global InfoAnalytics, and Prof. Smart Sarpong of Research and Innovation at Kumasi Technical University were taken seriously by various political parties for their strong opinions on the delivery of NPP and NDC candidates. However, in the shadows, Hon. Awineyesema Abiire, Assemblyman for Zorko-Gambrongo and Lecturer at the Bolgatanga Technical University, conducted the “Zorkor Politico Polls” which surprisingly proved to be more accurate with his 2024 election polls than the celebrated Mussa Dankwah’s polls. Unfortunately, Abiire’s work went unnoticed, leaving many to wonder what could have been if his predictions had received the same attention as the others. Mussa Dankwah, Executive Director of Global InfoAnalytics, made a bold prediction about the 2024 general elections in Ghana. According to Dankwah, former President John Dramani Mahama was poised to win the presidential election outright, without the need for a runoff. Dankwah also predicts that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will secure a parliamentary majority. However, not everyone agrees with Dankwah’s forecast. Prof. Smart Sarpong, Director of Research and Innovation at Kumasi Technical University, also conducted a poll that suggests the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will retain its parliamentary majority. Prof. Sarpong’s poll further indicates that NPP presidential candidate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia will lead the polls with 49.1% of the votes, compared to Mahama’s 45.8%. Interestingly, Ben Ephson’s 2024 opinion polls also pointed out that, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Candidate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia will lead with 51.2% with Mahama securing 47.1% Dankwah’s own survey paints a different picture, showing Mahama ahead with 51.9% of voter support, while Dr. Bawumia follows with 40.5%. The conflicting forecasts highlight the differing interpretations of the political landscape ahead of the 2024 elections. But then, Dankwah also confidently stated, “No runoff, stressing Mahama wins the first round and NDC will have a majority in parliament. Interestingly, Mussa Dankwah has received widespread acclaim, particularly from the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC). However, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commissioner (EC), Mrs Jean Mensa, said Mr. Mahama won by securing 6,328,397 votes, representing 56.55 per cent, while Dr. Bawumia polled 4,657,304, representing 41.61 per cent. Unfortunately, one personality who is yet to catch the media attention following his extraordinary opinions regarding election forecast is Hon. Awineyesema Abiire, a lecturer at Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU), who conducted the 2024 election polls, which surprisingly aligned closely with the Electoral Commission’s declared 2024 election results. Abiire’s polls predicted that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP presidential candidate, would secure 41% of the total votes, while John Dramani Mahama, the NDC presidential candidate, would garner 54%. Despite Abiire’s impressive forecasting, Mussa Dankwah remained in the spotlight, overshadowing Abiire’s achievements. This raises questions about the factors influencing public perception and recognition in Ghana’s political landscape. Excepts of Hon. Abiire’s 2024 election analysis. The difference between Mussa Dankwah, Ben Ephson, Prof. Sarpong, and Hon. Awineyesema Abiire has to do with their “location” and “media access”. The above-mentioned personalities are all residing in the country’s national capital where they have all the national media platforms whiles, Hon. Awineyesema Abiire is residing in one of the villages in the Upper East Region. However, his polls stand more accurate ahead of his colleagues in Accra. Hon. Awineyesema Abiire is a treasure trove of knowledge and experience, offering a massive opportunity for the media to tap into his expertise. With a wealth of experience in education, he can share valuable insights with the people of Ghana and beyond. As a lecturer at the Bolgatanga Technical University and a researcher with publications in reputable journals, Abiire’s expertise spans various fields, including tax education, revenue mobilization, and financial reporting. His research has focused on topics such as tax compliance in Ghana, revenue mobilization at the local government level, and the impact of computerized accounting systems on financial reports. By reaching out to Hon. Awineyesema Abiire on +233241139933, media outlets can leverage his expertise to educate and inform the public on critical issues affecting Ghana and the world. Source: Apexnewsgh.com