I cannot foresee unutilised gas in Ghana, says Dr Sarpong
Dr Kofi Koduah Sarpong, chief executive officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) says if all stakeholders in the energy sector coordinated well on the use of gas, he does not foresee unutilized gas in the country. Speaking on Energy 101 on Asaase Radio with Emmanuel Aboagye-Wiafe, Dr Sarpong said, “I cannot foresee unutilized gas. You see I have defended this, if we coordinate very well; our sector Ministry will coordinate with VRA, the Energy Commission, GNPC and other users for this product, I cannot foresee any unutilized gas.” He was speaking on the need for the country to have the LNG project which he said was going to be very beneficial in the coming years. Dr Sarpong added, “I foresee a gas deficit in the next two, three years and the only way to fill it, is this LNG project which we have scaled it up that we can process 600 million standard cubic feet.” Some industry players have criticised the decision by the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) to partner with Shell to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification facility in the country. Misplaced and Wasteful The Institute for Energy Security (IES) in a recent statement said the LNG facility is a misplaced priority. “With ample proof that there is sufficient supply from domestic sources to meet the country’s gas needs, the contracting of a regasification facility at this moment is a misplaced priority and wasteful. “It is wasteful in the sense that it is going to worsen the excess supply situation, resulting in more cost to the country, in the face of the take-or-pay clause embedded in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) import contract,” the IES said. IES added that “the decision to build an LNG regasification facility in the country for purposes of importation is hasty and needless. There is absolutely no linkage to the short-term and long-term needs of the country. The decision to procure the facility at this moment will only contribute to the excesses and come at a cost to the country. The country is better off prioritizing investment into gas liquefaction than regasification. “Presently, the issue of supply of gas has well been addressed by domestic production. What is left to be solved in the demand-supply equation is the demand factor,” it said. But Dr Sarpong said, “people say there will be too much gas on the market. I can tell you that over the last three years, gas off-take from our fold increased significantly. In 2019, it was about 211 million standard cubic feet per day usage. Last year, it was about 296 million standard cubic feet per day on average…if we have enough gas, then we won’t bring gas from Nigeria. “We’ve been bringing gas from Nigeria via the West African Gas Pipeline into the country to be used by VRA for power generation and that should tell you that we don’t have enough gas locally. Maybe people are saying that, but if you have the Nigerian source why are you bringing in this one?” Fuel security Dr Sarpong said, “Having the LNG in the fuel mix is an advantage, for example sometimes the line from Nigeria is blocked or mutilated and there cannot be any flow from Nigeria to Ghana so supply is cut. Even our own fields; greater part of last year TEN fields was virtually down, Jubilee will produce but sometimes up to a certain level their plant trips… so if you have LNG coming in then when these things happen there will be another source of fuel supply.” He said the LNG product is cheaper and gives the country enough fuel security. “As I speak today, it’s [the LNG] cheaper than Sankofa and it’s cheaper than the gas coming from Nigeria. The only one which is cheaper is Jubilee and TEN which cannot give you the volumes that you need because of the constraints of production as well as constraints on the Ghana Gas plant.” Dr Sarpong added, “But even that is cheaper because the volumes we are pumping now together with what we call substitution agreement if we can’t get from Jubilee we can take from TEN at no price then it makes it cheaper for everybody. When that is finished there will be a price for those ones. “So in a way, we think that this LNG issue is an important thing. It’s going to give us fuel security and it’s going to be cheaper. People who are honest will do the analysis and say it as it is. We are producing from Sankofa we all know it’s expensive. You can’t do otherwise. It’s very expensive,” he added. The LNG facility The Tema LNG terminal is made up of a dedicated floating regasification unit (FRU), built by Jiangnan Shipbuilding, and a separate floating LNG storage (FSU). It can receive, re-gasify, store, and deliver around 1.7 million tonnes of LNG a year, about 30% of Ghana’s general capacity. The long-term supply deal between Royal Dutch Shell and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation will see Spanish LNG terminal operator Reganosa, run and maintain the terminal and the associated 6-km gas pipeline for 12 years and then transfer operatorship to the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation. The Tema LNG, backed by Helios Investment Partners and Africa Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM), is the first offshore LNG receiving terminal in sub-Saharan Africa. The terminal will employ the innovative combination of the FRU twinned with an existing LNG carrier to receive, store and regasify LNG. This system provides Ghana with all the functionality of a large-scale FRU-terminal, but with added flexibility, allowing it to respond to rapidly increasing domestic gas demand with a cleaner and more affordable energy solution. The Tema LNG terminal aims to meet Ghana’s growing energy demand through an innovative yet cost-efficient, reliable supply. Asaase Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093
Opera and MTN Extend Their Partnership in Ghana Bringing Millions Of Users Online With New Free Browsing Program
Today, the Norwegian browser developer Opera and leading telecommunication operator MTN, announced the extension of their partnership in Ghana and celebrated it with the re-launch of a new Free Browsing program. The new free browsing program provides MTN customers in Ghana up to 1.5 GB of monthly free data when they browse with the popular Opera Mini browser. “We are glad to extend our partnership with MTN in Ghana and look forward to bringing more people online in 2021”, said Jørgen Arnesen, EVP of Mobile Browsers at Opera. “At Opera we believe that access to the web should be a universal right, therefore we decided to work with MTN in Ghana under the shared vision of bringing more people online by offering affordable access to the web through the Opera Mini browser”. Customers of MTN who have Opera Mini installed on their mobile devices will be able to start browsing for free. With free browsing, MTN customers can make more online purchases, check on the latest news, or simply find entertainment content they want or are interested in. “As MTN Ghana works to become a Digital Operator, we are conscious of the customer experience we deliver in our digital services. Together with Opera, we enable our customers with access to more online content so they keep engaged with their devices without worrying too much about their data expenses”, Sam Addo, Chief Enterprise Business Officer of MTN Ghana said. “We are excited about this partnership with Opera and we look forward to more offers to delight our customers”, he added. Opera Mini is a small, fast and powerful browser. It comes with unique features such as Data Compression, Offline File Sharing and built-in Ad-blocker. Opera Mini also enables access to free eBooks through the Worldreader speed dial and the music catalogue of the Kenyan music-streaming service-Mdundo allowing users to stream or download music through the Opera Mini browser. Today, Opera Mini is the browser of choice for over a 100million people around the world who choose it over pre-installed browsers on Android mobile devices. To enjoy the benefits of the free browsing package, MTN customers will have to install Opera Mini on their mobile Android devices. MTN customers who are not yet Opera Mini users, can download the app for free on Google Play Store. The free browsing package is capped to 50MB per day and it covers browsing only. Video streaming and file download will attract normal data charges. MTN’s partnership with Opera supports the digital drive of the business to achieve its vision ‘to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world to its customers’. Other digital interventions introduced for individuals and businesses is the Unlimited Business Broadband targeted at Small and Medium Enterprises, (SMEs), Small/Home Offices (SOHOs) as well as other organizations. MTN Business continues to offer solutions that enable individuals and businesses to access telecommunication services. Visit https://broadband.mtn.com.gh/business or by call 100 for more information. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093
SCANCOM PLC (MTN GHANA) ANNOUNCES BOARD CHANGES
MR. KWASI ABEASI AND MR. MODUPE KADRI Scancom Plc. (MTN Ghana) wishes to announce that Mr. Kwasi Abeasi and Mr. Modupe Kadri will step down from the Board of the Company effective March 1, 2021. Mr. Kwasi Abeasi joined the Board of MTN Ghana in 2011, as an Independent Non-Executive Director, bringing a wealth of experience to the Board over his 10-year period of service. Mr. Modupe Kadri joined MTN Ghana as Chief Financial Officer in 2014 and was appointed Executive Director in 2016, a position he held until February 2020 when he became a Non-Executive Director of the Company. The Board of Directors of MTN Ghana and its subsidiaries would like to take this opportunity to express their gratitude to Mr. Abeasi and Mr. Kadri for their sterling service and dedication to the Company, and for their impressive performance on the Board. We wish them every success in all their future endeavors. APPOINTMENT OF FOUR (4) INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS TO SCANCOM PLC. (MTN GHANA) BOARD Scancom Plc. (MTN Ghana), in line with its aim of increasing skills and diversity, is pleased to announce the appointment of the following Independent Non-Executive Directors (INEDs), effective 1 March 2021: Felix Addo NanaAma Botchway Kofi Dadzie Rosie Ebe-Arthur 2.1 Mr. Felix Addo Mr. Felix Addo is a Member of the Ghana Institute of Chartered Accountants with over 30 years’ experience. He served as a Partner at PwC over an 18-year period across a wide range of engagements in both developed and emerging markets, including transactions, insolvencies and turnarounds, financial and forensic audits and various projects in both the private and public sectors. He has since developed a portfolio of board roles in the consumer, financial services and the oil and gas sectors. He currently serves on the boards of various organizations including Guinness Ghana Breweries (Chairman), Ghana Association of Restructuring and Insolvency Advisors (President), as well as various for profit and non-profit organisations. 2.2 Nana Ama Botchway Ms. Nana Ama Botchway is the founder and managing partner of N. Dowuona & Company, a leading corporate and commercial law firm in Ghana. Her main areas of practice are mergers and acquisitions, energy and infrastructure. Ms. Botchway regularly advises local and global companies on cross border mergers, acquisitions, energy and infrastructure projects. She began her career in New York where she worked as a lawyer at two leading global law firms, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Cooley, and as an audit accountant at Deloitte Touche Tomahtsu. Ms. Botchway is a graduate of Princeton University, New York University’s Stern School of Business and Columbia University School of Law. She brings a wealth of experience to MTN Ghana having served as a Non-Executive Director on a number of boards, including Ghana Airports Company Ltd, the Ghana Petroleum Sovereign Wealth Funds, GHL Bank Ltd, where she chaired the Remuneration Committee, and Brainworks Capital. 2.3 Mr. Kofi Dadzie Mr. Dadzie is an experienced digital entrepreneur who has built innovative products and services and taken these to market successfully, servicing customers across multiple geographies and covering over 80 languages. Mr. Dadzie, who is one of the pioneers of Rancard Solutions Ltd, started as the Chief Software Architect and rose to the position of Chief Executive Officer. He currently serves as a non-executive director of Rancard Solutions Holdings and subsidiaries. Inspired through leadership seminars in the Aspen Institute, he recently consulted for and joined the Mastercard Foundation with the aim of empowering young African women and men to harness the digital economy. Mr. Dadzie also serves as a director of IC Asset Managers and is a member of the governing board of Genius Hive Music Academy. 2.4 Rosie Ebe-Arthur Ms. Rosie Ebe-Arthur is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and brings along with her a plethora of experience from the United Kingdom and Africa. Ms. Ebe-Arthur was previously employed by Ernst & Young as Associate Director of People Services, Africa Projects, South Africa with responsibility for Sub Saharan Africa. Ms. Ebe-Arthur then served at Ecobank Transnational Incorporated as Group Human Resources Business Partner for Domestic Bank working across 33 countries. She then moved to Standard Chartered Bank rising to Head of Human Resources, West Africa with responsibility for Nigeria, Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, Cameroun, Gambia and Sierra Leone. Ms. Ebe-Arthur is currently the Group Head, Human Capital Management and Development for First Bank Nigeria and Subsidiaries and is accountable for setting the People Strategy across the Banks footprint in Africa, United Kingdom and the representative offices in France and China. Commenting on the appointments, the CEO of MTN Ghana, Selorm Adadevoh said, “We are very excited to welcome very accomplished, diverse, professionals to the MTN Ghana Board. As a Company that is transitioning into a full digital operator, we are happy to have them join us accelerate the process of giving our valued Customers a distinct digital experience, whilst driving towards our 2023 ambition of becoming a digital operator”. Commenting on the Board changes, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of MTN Ghana, Dr. Ishmael Yamson, expressed his profound gratitude to Mr. Abeasi and Mr. Kadri for their dedication, sacrifices and excellent performance, and for contributing immensely to the governance and oversight of the Company. In welcoming the new members to the Board, Dr. Ishmael Yamson indicated that onboarding these outstanding individuals with diverse skills and professions, should enhance and strengthen the performance of the oversight role of the Board. The Board of Directors of MTN Ghana and its subsidiaries would like to take this opportunity to welcome on board the new Independent Non-Executive Directors, to the Scancom Plc. Board, and to wish them every success in the discharge of their duties. The Independent Non-Executive Directors shall hold office until the next Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, where they shall be eligible for re-election by the Shareholders of Scancom Plc. SIGNED Pala Asiedu Ofori (Mrs.) Company Secretary Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093
MTN records GH¢1.3bn profit; optimistic of resolving SMP impasse with government
Mobile telecommunication leader, MTN Ghana recorded a profit of GH¢1.3 billion last year, about 38.4% year-on-year growth. According to its 2020 Financial Statement, total revenue was however GH¢6 billion, 16.4% increase over that of 2019. To this end, the board of the company is declaring an interim dividend of GH¢0.03 per share after reviewing the company’s first quarter results. After reviewing the full year performance of the company, the board also recommended a final dividend of GH¢0.05 per share, bringing the total dividend for the year 2020 to GH¢0.08 per share. This represents 70.5% of profit after tax and a 33.3% increase in dividend per share over those paid for 2019. MTN Ghana subscribers also increased by 23.4% to 24.4 million whilst active data subscribers increased by 32.4% to 10.8 million. Active Mobile Money (MoMo) users also increased by 16.3% to 10.6 million. The company said this was the result of various promotions in the year, increased person-to-person transactional activity and the offer of more advanced services such as retail merchant payments and international remittances. Digital revenue however declined by 6.2% year-on-year. During the period, MTN Ghana said it made some enhancements in its video and gaming offerings resulting in a 328% surge in the number of active subscribers* and increased adoption of its MyMTN and ayoba messaging apps. Regulatory updates on SMP, localisation and licences On the regulatory front, MTN Ghana said it continues to maintain high ethical standards and commitment to regulatory obligations. “We also remain focused on providing the enabling technology to support Ghana’s digital economy. In this context, MTN Ghana undertakes constructive engagements with regulatory stakeholders at all times on issues related to policy and regulatory initiatives.” On the issue of the significant market power (SMP) declaration, and per the update in its third quarter results release, on 13 October 2020, MTN Ghana withdrew its application filed at the Supreme Court following a series of engagements with the regulator and other key stakeholders to resolve the issue in an amicable manner. From October 2020, however, MTN Ghana, implemented the National Communication Authority’s directive to apply a 30% asymmetrical interconnect rate for two years. Importantly, engagements and discussions with relevant stakeholders continued, after they were briefly suspended leading up to the national elections in December 2020, stressing “and we are optimistic that these discussions will result in a positive outcome for MTN Ghana and the long-term sustainability of the industry.” “We remain grateful to the NCA, the Ministry of Communications and key stakeholders for their openness and commitment to engage with the view to resolve the issues amicably.” Covid-19 impact The company said economic and business performance in 2020 was influenced by the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic with devastating impact across the globe. “The impact of the pandemic has been felt by everyone and many of us have loved ones who have been affected by COVID-19. MTN Ghana and our employees have also been impacted by COVID-19 despite our best efforts in ensuring the safety of our people.” It expressed gratitude to all frontline workers, including its own front-liners who bravely served its cherished customers. As such, the MTN Ghana Foundation donated GH¢5 million worth of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other essentials to the government’s COVID-19 Trust Fund for onward distribution to frontline medical workers. MTN records GH¢1.3bn profit; Optimistic of resolving SMP impasse with government Mobile telecommunication leader, MTN Ghana recorded a profit of GH¢1.3 billion last year, about 38.4% year-on-year growth. According to its 2020 Financial Statement, total revenue was however GH¢6 billion, 16.4% increase over that of 2019. To this end, the board of the company Board declared an interim dividend of GH¢0.03 per share after reviewing the company’s first quarter results. After reviewing the full year performance of the company, the board also recommended a final dividend of GH¢0.05 per share, bringing the total dividend for the 2020 year to GH¢0.08 per share. This represents 70.5% of profit after tax and a 33.3% increase in dividend per share over those paid for 2019. MTN Ghana subscribers also increased by 23.4% to 24.4 million whilst active data subscribers increased by 32.4% to 10.8 million. Active Mobile Money (MoMo) users also increased by 16.3% to 10.6 million. The company said this was the result of various promotions in the year, increased person-to-person transactional activity and the offer of more advanced services such as retail merchant payments and international remittances. Digital revenue however declined by 6.2% year-on-year. During the period, MTN Ghana said it made some enhancements in its video and gaming offerings resulting in a 328% surge in the number of active subscribers* and increased adoption of its MyMTN and ayoba messaging apps. Regulatory updates on SMP, localisation and licences On the regulatory front, MTN Ghana said it continues to maintain high ethical standards and commitment to regulatory obligations. “We also remain focused on providing the enabling technology to support Ghana’s digital economy. In this context, MTN Ghana undertakes constructive engagements with regulatory stakeholders at all times on issues related to policy and regulatory initiatives.” On the issue of the significant market power (SMP) declaration, and per the update in its third quarter results release, on 13 October 2020, MTN Ghana withdrew its application filed at the Supreme Court following a series of engagements with the regulator and other key stakeholders to resolve the issue in an amicable manner. From October 2020, however, MTN Ghana, implemented the National Communication Authority’s directive to apply a 30% asymmetrical interconnect rate for two years. Importantly, engagements and discussions with relevant stakeholders continued, after they were briefly suspended leading up to the national elections in December 2020, stressing “and we are optimistic that these discussions will result in a positive outcome for MTN Ghana and the long-term sustainability of the industry.” “We remain grateful to the NCA, the Ministry of Communications and key stakeholders for their openness and commitment to engage with the view to resolve the issues amicably.” Covid-19 impact The company said economic and
A/R: We want our shops back – Abinkyi Market traders tell KMA
Some traders at the Afia Kobi Market popularly called Abinkyi Market in Kumasi on Thursday, 25 February, 2021 have protested against the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) over their demolished shops. The traders who accused the KMA of demolishing and locking up their sheds and shops want the assembly to bring back their shops. According to the aggrieved traders, the Assembly led by the Kumasi Mayor, wants to do a relocation of the shops. The traders said the assembly did not give them prior notice and they only found out about the exercise when they arrived at the market. A team of Military personnel was however deployed to the market to calm the aggrieved traders. The traders have therefore called on the Kumasi Mayor to come to their aid and give them back their shops. Reacting to the incident in an interview with Class FM’s Ashanti Regional Correspondent, Elisha Adarkwah, Kumasi Mayor, Osei Assibey Antwi, said the affected traders abandoned their shops and left the market. He said the assembly needed a place to relocate traders at the Kumasi Central market to pave way for the commencement of the second phase of the Kumasi Kejetia-Central redevelopment project. The Assembly, he said, therefore took the action to take over the shops and reallocate them to the central market traders. Meanwhile, second-hand clothing sellers at the Kumasi Central Market who are to be relocated to the Afia Kobi Market have indicated that due to the dispute with regards to the shops, they will not relocate to the market. Vice-Chairman for the Second-hand Clothing Sellers Association, Mr Yaw Adu noted that they will only move to the market if the KMA resolves the dispute in relation to the shops. classfm Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093
MTN and Mastercard empower millions in Africa to make payments
The MTN Group and Mastercard has announced a strategic partnership to enable millions of consumers in 16 countries across Africa to make global e-commerce payments safely and securely. “Through a Mastercard virtual payment solution linked to MTN MoMo (Mobile Money) wallets, consumers and merchants can engage with brands and businesses abroad through digital commerce, extending their reach to an international marketplace and unlocking a host of opportunities,” it said. A joint statement issued by the MTN Group and Mastercard said across Sub-Saharan Africa, mobile devices were the primary channel used to connect to the internet and that according to GSMA, by 2025, it was estimated that there would be 300 million more people using their devices to access internet services. “In light of this significant growth, mobile financial services have become the dominant form of digital payments, with twice as many mobile money accounts as bank accounts in the region. As a result, consumers increasingly expect to have access to a broader range of digital financial services,” it stated. The statement said, however, consumers and merchants were mostly restricted to a local base of online and offline businesses, therefore curtailing customers’ ability to engage in global commerce. It said through this strategic partnership, MTN customers with a Mastercard virtual payment solution linked to their MoMo wallets can make payments to global online merchants through a seamless and secure digital payment experience on websites and mobile applications and that the service was available regardless of whether or not the customer has a bank account. The statement said the solution would enable consumers to explore and shop at well-known global e-commerce brands and pay quickly and securely for leisure shopping, travel, accommodation, entertainment, streaming services and more. It would also allow small business owners to purchase from suppliers abroad and pay with the virtual payment solution. “We are very excited about this partnership with Mastercard, which is another step in realizing our ambition to build Africa’s largest fintech platform, accelerating economic and social development through digital innovation to the benefit of citizens across the continent and beyond,” the MTN Group said. It added that “This noteworthy partnership is another step to enable our customers to participate in the global economy. We are resolute that accelerated financial inclusion is a potent enabler of socio-economic development that empowers the most vulnerable in society.” The Mastercard said: “This significant milestone will enable millions of MTN customers to benefit from global digital commerce and drive digital and financial inclusion across Africa through easy and secure access to financial services. “At Mastercard, our innovation strategy is based on partnerships and collaboration. This agreement with MTN shows that we can deliver innovative digital solutions that have a far-reaching impact and realize the true potential of inclusive growth across the continent. “Partnering with MTN allows us to accelerate our global pledge to connect 1 billion people to the digital economy by 2025, bringing us closer to a world beyond cash,” it said. The MTN and Mastercard first launched the digital payment solution in 2018 for MoMo customers. MTN, the largest mobile network operator, is the ‘Most Admired African Brand’ based on spontaneous consumer responses in Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands 2020 survey and the most valuable telecoms brand in Africa by Brand Finance Africa. The company will extend the virtual payment solution offering throughout its Fintech footprint. The expansion of this payment solution will play a significant role in driving the growth of digital inclusion and e-commerce thus increasing MTN MoMo customer inclusion into the global economy. Initially designed to facilitate the transfer of cash between mobile users, MTN’s MoMo offering is now much broader – including loans, insurance, remittances and payments. GNA Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093
Businessman convicted for defrauding six persons over Canadian visas
Frank Ablorh, a businessman has been sentenced to a fine of GH¢24,000 for collecting $2,000 each from six persons under the pretext of securing them Canadian visas. Ablorh in default would go to jail for eight months in hard labour. Ablorh had pleaded not guilty before an Accra Circuit Court on six counts of defrauding by false pretences. The Court, presided over by Mrs. Evelyn Asamoah, at the end of the trial, however, found Ablorh guilty on all the six counts and convicted him accordingly. Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Seth Frimpong, said the complainants were Vida Ampah, a trader, David Kofi Agbo, an artist, Emmanuel Awah, trader, Gifty Agbodjan, a caterer, Abraham Agbodjan a trader and Jeffery Agbo, a Business Administrator. He said Ablorh and the complainants were church members and that in February 2017, Ablorh announced at Church that he could assist prospective applicants to secure Canadian visas. The prosecution said Ablorh informed the complainants that his partners were organising a conference in Toronto, Canada in June 2017 and demanded $5,000 each from the applicants so he could add them to a delegation from Ghana. The prosecution said the complainants expressed interest and parted with $2,000 each as part payment in anticipation that Ablorh would procure their visas. Mr Frimpong said the date for the conference elapsed and Ablorh could not secure their visas so the complainants demanded their money, but Ablorh refused to refund the various amount and went into hiding. Chief Inspector Frimpong said a report was made to the Police and during investigations Ablorh was arrested and $1,600 was retrieved from him. The Prosecution said Police investigations revealed that there was no such conference in Canada as alleged by Ablorh and that he made a false representation to swindle the complainants. GNA Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: +233555568093
Sue wholesalers who refuse to accept returned contaminated pet foods – FDA to Retailers
The Food And Drugs Authority has urged retailers to sue Wholesalers who refuse to accept the various contaminated pet foods returned to them. Speaking Friday on Agoo FM Morning Show, Head of Food Division at the FDA Roderick Daddey Adjei said all retailers can return their goods to the Wholesalers for their monies to be refunded. “I think individuals wouldn’t be bothered much but for those who buy and sell should return the products to their wholesalers or wherever they bought the goods from…and the person must refund your money because this is a matter of force or get a lawyer to address the matter amicably. If you buy something and it is not of quality, the person must even apologize to you so it is their responsibility to refund the monies to whoever bought the product in large quantities, ” he stated. The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has warned the public against contaminated pet foods on the market. There has been a recall of various brands of pet foods manufactured by Midwestern Pet Foods, Indiana in the United States of America (USA) already on the Ghanaian market following the development. The recall is due to the presence of high aflatoxin contamination which has caused the death of 70 dogs and other illnesses in another 80, FDA in a statement on Thursday said. The FDA named several pet foods contaminated by the aflatoxin including Pro Pac Originals, Sportmix, Splash Pet food, Sportstrail Pet food and Nunn Better Dry Dog and Cat Foods. The pet foods being recalled have the following information on the packaging which is “Expiry dates on or before 9th July, 2022 with facility number 05 found at the end of the Date Code i.e, EXP: 03/03/05 or 03/Mar/22/05, Registration OK-PFO-0005 and Batch Numbers: 17/10/21/05/L3 and 12/11/21/05/l2”. “In view of the above, those who are in possession of these Pet foods are being directed to return the products to the importer, place of purchase or any of the FDA offices across the country” the FDA said its press statement dated February 18, 2021, signed and issued by the Chief Executive Officer of FDA, Mrs Delese A.A. Darko. The authority said: “The FDA is on a high alert market surveillance to ensure that the rest of these contaminated products are removed from the market. Meanwhile, the importer, Doggie Dog World Enterprise has been directed to recall the products from the Ghanaian market. kasapafm Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: +233555568093
US authorities arrest 6 Ghanaians in $50m cyber fraud
US investigators say they have busted a “Ghana-based criminal enterprise”, with the arrest of six of its “ringleaders” in the US on charges of laundering more than $50m (£36m). “The scams we allege in this investigation include romance scams targeting the elderly, business e-mail compromise scams, and even fraudulent Covid-19 relief loans,” the FBI’s William F. Sweeney said in a statement. Four of the accused had between them controlled more than 45 bank accounts in which more than $50m had been deposited between 2013 and 2020, the statement alleged. A vast majority of the deposits consisted of large wire transfers and cheque or cash deposits from various US-based individuals and entities, the statement added. As part of the investigation, four luxury vehicles suspected to have been purchased with the proceeds of fraud had been seized, the statement said. The vehicles were: Two 2019 Rolls Royce Cullinans One 2020 Bentley Continental GT One 2020 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG.A statement released by the United States Department for Justice on Wednesday, February 17, named the suspects as Farouk Appiedu, 35, Fred Asante, 35, Celvin Freeman, 47, Lord Aning, 28, Sadick Edusei Kissi, 24, and Faisal Ali, aka “Clarence Graveley, 34.It said the six had been perpetrating the frauds since 2013.According to the statement, four of them collectively controlled more than 45 bank accounts that had deposits totalling approximately $55 million.The four, Appiedu, Asante, Freeman, and Aning received fraud proceeds from victims of the enterprise in dozens of business bank accounts that they controlled in New York, New Jersey, and Virginia.They opened the bank accounts in the names of companies they claimed to have formed and were purportedly involved in, among other things, automobile sales, food imports and exports, and freight trucking and shipping. It added that once the proceeds were received by the four in their bank accounts, they withdrew, transported, and laundered the fraud proceeds by using the proceeds to purchase automobiles, food products, and other goods from US-based suppliers and distributors of such products and shipped those products to Ghana and elsewhere. Kissi is said to have received fraud proceeds from victims of the enterprise in bank accounts that he controlled in the Bronx, New York and elsewhere. Once he received the fraud proceeds in bank accounts under his control, Kissi withdrew, transported, and laundered those fraud proceeds to other members of the enterprise located in Ghana. Ali also received fraud proceeds from victims of the enterprise into a series of at least 13 bank accounts at six different banks, which he controlled in the Bronx, New York. He used the name and identity of another person to open several of those bank accounts in order to conceal the proceeds of the fraud scheme. Upon receiving the fraud proceeds in the bank accounts under his control, he withdrew, transported, and laundered those fraud proceeds to other members of the enterprise. Charges Three of the suspects, Appiedu, Asante, Freeman, and Aning have each been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of wire fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which each carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Each of them has also been charged with one count of conspiracy to receive stolen money, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; and one count of receipt of stolen money, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Kissi has been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, with each carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. He has also been charged with one count of conspiracy to receive stolen money, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; and one count of receipt of stolen money, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Ali has also been charged in a criminal complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of making false statements to a bank, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to receive stolen money, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; and one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison to be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed. Graphiconline Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: +233555568093
Congratulations; you’ve my full support – Akufo-Addo to Okonjo-Iweala on ‘historic’ WTO appointment
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has congratulated Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her “historic” appointment as the new Director-General of the World Trade Organisation. In a letter addressed to the new WTO boss, the Ghanaian leader expressed delight at the fact that her election was by consensus of the General Council of the WTO, thereby making Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala “the first woman and first African to occupy the of Director-General of the Organisation.” This, according to the President, “is a tribute to black women the world over, particularly to African women”. Her appointment, the President explained, comes at a time when Africa has taken steps to liberalise intra-continental trade through the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, and the challenges brought about by COVID-19. “I am of the firm conviction that you are eminently qualified to lead the organisation in these momentous times, and I assure you of the full support of the Government of Ghana in your new role,” President Akufo-Addo added. The President, in a letter dated 17th February, sent a congratulatory message to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, on the appointment of Dr. Okonjo-Iweala to her new position. President Akufo-Addo assured the people of Nigeria and her Government of the “support of the Government of Ghana in her new role.” Classfm Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: +233555568093