The Cedi’s severe depreciation against major trading currencies is severely impacting businesses, according to Dr. Mark Badu-Aboagye, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Chamber of Commerce.
“This is certainly not a good time for businesses in Ghana due to the free fall of the cedi,” Dr. Badu-Aboagye stated during his appearance on the Ghana Tonight show on TV3 on Thursday, May 16.
The Cedi is experiencing a record-breaking weakening cycle, having failed to gain against the dollar in the past 22 trading sessions, the longest streak since Bloomberg began tracking the data in 1994. By 1 p.m. in London, the Cedi had weakened by 0.3%, trading at 13.9310 per dollar.
This year, the Cedi has slumped by 14%, only surpassed by currencies that have undergone devaluation, such as the Egyptian pound and Nigerian naira.
The decline has been exacerbated by a significant drop in cocoa earnings, with exports plummeting by nearly a third to $508 million in the first two months of the year due to adverse weather, disease, and fertilizer shortages.
Despite a temporary surplus in 2023, Ghana’s long-standing current account deficit is reemerging, posing further challenges for the Cedi, noted Gergely Urmossy, an emerging market strategist at Societe Generale.
Forecasts indicate the Cedi will breach its record low of 14.6174 per dollar by the third quarter, potentially ending the year at 15.98. FX forward pricing is calculated based on the spot rate and the interest rate differentials between the two currencies for the tenor of the forward.
Amid the currency’s poor performance, Kojo Yankah, a former Minister of State under the Rawlings administration, has urged the government to prioritize providing incentives for businesses to boost production rather than imposing additional taxes. Yankah argued that taxing businesses during this period of currency instability is suffocating the business community.
Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe, has been handed a 10-year prison term with hard labor.
Similarly, the former Chief Operating Officer, Daniel Axim, received a five-year sentence with hard labor.
Both individuals were found guilty on 78 counts, including causing financial loss to the state, theft, conspiracy to steal, money laundering, and violating public procurement laws.
The trial, which commenced in 2019, featured six witnesses presented by the state.
Tamakloe was tried in absentia after departing the country for a medical checkup with court permission, while Axim testified in person but did not present any witnesses.
These convictions arose from the misappropriation of funds earmarked for MASLOC activities between 2013 and 2016.
One instance involved the convicts withdrawing GH¢500,000 as a loan for Obaatampa Savings and Loans company but demanding a refund when the financial institution declined to yield a 24% interest rate on the amount.
Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in a bid to combat Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) in Ghana organized a significant gathering with market women in Agblobloshie.
The event, termed a grand durbar or open forum, aimed to emphasize the importance of selling only iodized salt to consumers.
Headed by Dr. Mimi Delese Darko, the CEO of the FDA, the forum stressed the pivotal role of iodine in producing thyroid hormones and its consequent impact on health.
“Insist on sourcing iodized salt from suppliers and encourage buyers to use iodized salt,” the Chief Executive Officer of the FDA, Dr Mimi Delese Darko, told the market women.
Dr. Darko urged the market women to source iodized salt from reliable suppliers and educate buyers on the benefits of using iodized salt.
The forum was part of a larger initiative to ensure the success of the Ghana Universal Salt Iodization program.
This program mandates salt producers to fortify their products with the appropriate amount of iodine, a crucial step in eradicating IDD and promoting public health.
Dr. Darko highlighted the vendors’ responsibility in promoting iodized salt consumption, describing them as custodians of health who play a vital role in ensuring the well-being of families.
“Let us ensure that every household in Ghana has access to iodized salt, the simple yet powerful tool for a healthier tomorrow, a symbol of our commitment to a brighter, healthier future for all Ghanaians,” she added.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Media Excel Productions and a prominent music producer, Kwesi Ernest has highlighted key factors contributing to accidents among celebrities.
In a recent appearance on the Nana Ama Onua show, Ernest discussed issues such as insufficient sleep, distractions from phone calls or social media like TikTok, and late-night driving as major contributors to accidents involving public figures.
He emphasised the demanding nature of the entertainment industry, where creatives often find themselves driving late at night due to work commitments.
However, Ernest advised celebrities to prioritise rest, especially before embarking on long journeys.
He suggested that celebrities consider hiring professional drivers to ensure safety on the road.
“Some celebrities travel at night because of their line of work, but they need to have enough sleep in the day, and stop watching TikTok videos. If possible celebrities can adopt the services of a driver,” Kwesi Ernest stated.
These remarks from Kwesi Ernest follow a recent accident involving musician Kuame Eugene.
The incident occurred near the DSTV office, close to the Dzorwulu traffic light in Accra.
While the current condition of Kuame Eugene remains undisclosed, reports indicate that he is receiving treatment and responding positively.
The insights shared by Kwesi Ernest shed light on the challenges faced by celebrities in maintaining their well-being amidst busy schedules and the importance of taking precautionary measures to prevent accidents.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Media Excel Productions and a prominent music producer, Kwesi Ernest has shed light on the critical factors that contribute to road accidents in Ghana.
During a recent discussion, he emphasised eight key elements that significantly contribute to these accidents.
The factors highlighted by Kwesi Ernest include potholes, inadequate street lighting, a lack of road signs, faulty traffic lights, oversized speed ramps, deficiencies in the driver’s licensing system, the excessive use of mobile phones while driving, and driving while fatigued.
Of these, institutional negligence stands out as a major concern, with many roads suffering from a lack of proper road signs, poorly aligned roads, and inadequate road ramps, among other issues.
Kwesi Ernest stressed that addressing these issues, especially poor road ramps and institutional negligence, should be a top priority in efforts to reduce road accidents in Ghana.
“A number of factors cause road accidents such as Potholes, inadequate street lighting, little to no road signs, faulty traffic lights, huge speed ramps, poor driver’s licensing system, excessive use of mobile phone. Poor road ramps and intuitional negligence must be addressed above all matters,” Kwesi Ernest stated.
These remarks from Kwesi Ernest follow a recent accident involving musician Kuame Eugene.
The incident occurred near the DSTV office, close to the Dzorwulu traffic light in Accra.
While the current condition of Kuame Eugene remains undisclosed, reports indicate that he is receiving treatment and responding positively.
The insights shared by Kwesi Ernest shed light on the challenges faced by celebrities in maintaining their well-being amidst busy schedules and the importance of taking precautionary measures to prevent accidents.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Independent Power Generators Ghana (IPGG), Dr. Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor has issued a stark warning about the dire state of the country’s energy landscape due to the financial struggles of Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
In a recent statement, Dr. Apetorgbor emphasised that the instability among IPPs not only threatened the sustainability of the energy sector but also posed significant risks to the economic stability and development prospects of Ghana.
He called for urgent and innovative solutions to avoid a potential power crisis that could have severe repercussions for the nation.
Dr. Apetorgbor highlighted the crucial role of IPPs as key contributors to the national grid and stressed the need for immediate action to address their financial challenges.
He credited the Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for implementing a strategic intervention that helped avert a crisis on June 30, 2023.
“It took the ingenuity and leadership of the Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) in the last hour of June 30, 2023 to save the situation,” Mr Apetorgbor said in a statement.
The intervention involved ring-fencing $43 million monthly to support IPPs, ensuring transparent and efficient allocation of financial resources.
Dr. Apetorgbor praised this decisive action as a demonstration of effective leadership and innovation during a critical period for the energy sector.
While acknowledging the absence of clear direction and oversight from the Ministry of Energy in recent years, Dr. Apetorgbor commended the resilience and competence of the ECG’s Managing Director for stabilising the sector and preventing a potential catastrophe.
The statement by Dr. Apetorgbor serves as a call to action for stakeholders to address the underlying financial issues faced by IPPs and secure Ghana’s energy future.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the renowned Grace Gift Herbal Clinic, Dr. Grace Boadu, bids her final goodbye as the funeral ceremony unfolds in a touching spectacle.
A viral video captured the touching moments as Dr. Boadu’s admirers and the Ghanaian community gather to express their last respects.
The video showcases the commencement of the funeral ceremony, with a stream of mourners seen pouring in to pay tribute to the late Dr. Grace Boadu.
The atmosphere is laden with emotion as family members of the departed doctor are observed participating in the concluding funeral rites with grace and composure.
While intimate scenes within the funeral are not disclosed, it is evident that Dr. Grace Boadu has been laid to rest for family, neighbors, admirers, and the wider Ghanaian populace to bid their final farewells.
The ceremony stands as a touching moment of remembrance for a cherished figure in the medical community.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Golden Movie Awards, Mimi Andani has come clean about fabricating the initial reason for the awards scheme’s hiatus, revealing a startling truth in a recent interview.
Initially, in April 2023, Andani had cited a lack of support from corporate Ghana as the primary cause for putting the awards on hold.
However, in an upcoming interview with Joy Prime’s Celeb Biz, she disclosed that she deliberately misled the public due to personal reasons.
Contrary to her earlier statement about struggling to secure sponsorships, Andani now admits, “For the sponsorship reason I gave first, the truth is, it wasn’t the sponsorship. It was that I was getting divorced, and so I have to give a nice reason once I go through my divorce.”
In this unexpected turn of events, she explained that a disagreement between founders, especially given the complications of partnering with a spouse, was the actual catalyst for halting the prestigious awards ceremony.
Despite the candid revelation, Andani remains optimistic about the future of the Golden Movie Awards, emphasising that sponsorship was not going to be a challenge, given the brand’s established reputation.
She expressed hope that the awards will soon make a comeback after this unexpected hiatus.
Born into a family that esteemed both education and business, Baiden’s trajectory from Chapel Hill School to Mfantsipim Senior Secondary School laid the foundation for his remarkable path as a scion of academia and entrepreneurship.
While pursuing a law degree at the University of Ghana and later at the Ghana School of Law, Baiden’s entrepreneurial spirit soared to new heights.
It was during this period that the seeds of the Margins Group were planted, a company that started humbly and has now grown into a conglomerate with 10 subsidiaries operating across seven nations.
Under Baiden’s strategic leadership, Margins Group has flourished through a commitment to innovation, particularly in the realm of identity management, as exemplified by the groundbreaking Ghana Card project.
This transformative initiative has propelled national inclusion to new heights, reshaping how Ghanaians interact with public and private services.
More than a mere identification system, the Ghana Card project is constructing the digital infrastructure essential for inclusive growth, ensuring every citizen’s access to banking, healthcare, and government services.
Baiden’s tireless efforts in breaking down barriers to identification are unlocking economic potential and nurturing a more connected and empowered society in Ghana.
Moses Kwesi Baiden Jnr’s strategic acumen has not gone unnoticed, garnering a cascade of prestigious awards.
The CEO of the Year at the Ghana Manufacturing Awards and the Ghana Business Quality Awards, along with the esteemed European CEO of the Year in 2018, are just a few feathers in his cap.
His innovative leadership earned him the Mobex Innovation Award for Innovation Pacesetter of the Year, solidifying his stature in the industry.
Further attesting to his influential role in shaping Ghana’s technological future, Baiden has been rightfully inducted into the Ghana CEO Summit’s Technology Hall of Fame.
He stands tall as the Outstanding Digital Technology Entrepreneur of the Decade, a tribute to a decade of unparalleled influence and exemplary leadership. As Moses Kwesi Baiden Jnr continues to spearhead Margins Group into new frontiers, his story stands as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs and a testament to the transformative power of visionary leadership in the digital age.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Golden Movie Awardshas announced that the programme may be scrapped due to lack of support from big sponsors.
In a statement on social media, the CEO of Golden Movie Awards, Mimi Andani Micheals revealed that their biggest support has come from industry players, jury members, and individual donors, with few companies stepping in to sponsor once or twice.
“We invested in the industry for 7yrs and there has been close to zero support with ‘SPONSORSHIP’,” she lamented
Despite their efforts, there has been no major support to take even half of the cost for the past seven years.
The lack of support has caused investors to withdraw their funding, and the event will no longer be organized.
“Apart from few companies who sponsored once or twice with their products @starbeer_gh (Not Cash) and @maltaguinnessgh Guiness with a small amount (we appreciate), there has not been any major support to at least take half our cost for 7yrs,” she disclosed
The organizers expressed their appreciation to the actors, directors, producers, and film lovers who have been their biggest support and motivation over the years.
She also thanked those who made individual donations, such as HRH Oscar Yao Doe and Faddick, for their efforts in supporting the industry.
“We appreciate individuals like @hrhoscaryaodoe who donated and supported our nominee announcement in Ivory Coast and @faddick who donated to the scheme once, but how long could we go asking for donations from individuals who just did their best to support but have other responsibilities too?” she quizzed
The announcement has come as a disappointment to many who believed in the Ghana Movie Awards and saw it as an opportunity to put thecountry on the map through the film awards.
However, the organizers emphasized the need to re-strategize and focus on other events that will be more sustainable in the long run.
The Golden Movie Awards attracted participants from several African countries, including Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, and Morocco, but the absence of financial support from companies has led to its demise.
On March 23, three years and eight months after his initial arraignment on July 12, 2019, Nana Appiah Mensah, the embattled Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Menzgold Ghana Limited, made his 33rd court appearance.
Nana Appiah Mensah popularly known as NAM1 was initially charged with some 13 counts but that had since been amended with his plea yet to be taken on the amended charge sheet filed on September 3, 2019, which introduced some 61 new charges.
In court on Thursday, March 23, 2023, when NAM1 made his 33rd appearance, the case was again adjourned with the trial yet to commence.
Before a relieving Judge, Her Honour Afia Owusua Appiah, Prosecution represented by ASP Emmanuel Haliga who was holding Superintendent Sylvester Asare’s brief told the court that the prosecution is still awaiting advice from the Attorney General’s office for the next line of action.
He, therefore, prayed for an adjournment and after consulting his diaries together with Lawyer Audrey Twum, who was holding lawyer Kwame Boafo’s brief agreed with the court and settled on April 25, 2023.
According to EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, NAM1 made his 30th, 31st and 32nd appearances on November 9, and December 14, both in 2022 and January 2, 2023, respectively.
From July 12, 2019, the CEO of the gold dealership firm has trekked the court at least 29 times by September 27, 2022.
EIB Network’s Murtala Inusah who compiled the number of times NAM1 had appeared in court since July 12, 2019, said, the businessman would make at least his 34th appearance on April 25, 2023.
Previous appearances
In 2019, NAM1 made six appearances at the Circuit Court in Accra while in 2020 he appeared in court eight times. He then made further nine appearances in 2021 and five times in 2022.
In 2019, the CEO of Menzgold appeared in court on July 12 (his first) and made subsequent appearances on August 6, September 3, October 23, November 20 and December 23.
For 2020, the CEO of Menzgold made appearances on January 21, March 6, June 24, July 20, September 7, October 1, November 4 and December 16.
In 2021, NAM1 made nine appearances on January 20, March 2, April 1, May 27, July 6, September 2, October 11, November 22 and December 21.
In 2022, the embattled CEO of Menzgold was in court five times on February 21, April 4, May 16, July 15 and August 16 with the next court hearing fixed for September 27.
Meanwhile, he had also made court appearances in a Dubai Court before his return to Ghana following the collapse of Menzgold.
Main trial
On August 17, 2019, the embattled NAM 1 was released from police custody after meeting his varied bail conditions.
NAM1 together with his wife Rose Tetteh and his sister Benedicta Appiah (both at large) were facing a total of 13 counts of defrauding by false pretences, money laundering, abetment and carrying on deposit-taking business without a licence.
Two of his companies- Menzgold Ghana Limited and Brew Marketing Consult Limited – have also been charged with seven counts of defrauding by false pretences and carrying on deposit-taking business without a licence.
On July 26, 2019, NAM1 pleaded not guilty to all the charges and the court presided over by Jane Harriet Akweley Quaye granted him bail to the tune of GH¢1 billion (about $185 million) with five sureties, three of which are to be justified.
Additionally, he was ordered by the court to report to the police every Wednesday.
But the condition that required him to ensure three of the five sureties for justification was removed when he could not meet his initial bail terms.
Charges
The initial counts preferred were defrauding by false pretences, abetment to defraud by false pretences, carrying deposit business without a licence, abetment of sale of minerals without a licence, sale of minerals without a licence, abetment of unlawful deposit-taking, unlawful deposit-taking and money laundering.
Brief facts
The brief facts of the case as presented to the court by then ASP Asare, (now Superintendent Sylvester Asare) were that in October 2018, the police received a complaint from about 16,000 people that Menzgold had convinced them to invest GH¢1.68 billion in a gold purchase scheme that yielded 10 per cent monthly interest.
ASP Asare told the court that, the complainants said their money was locked up and they could not find Mensah and the other principal officers of the company.
He said investigations revealed that Menzgold and Brew Marketing Consult were incorporated as limited liability companies in 2013 and 2016, respectively.
DSP Asare (now said Menzgold obtained a licence from the Minerals Commission in August 2016 to purchase and export gold from small-scale miners, and to successfully engage in the business, Nana Appiah founded Brew Marketing Consult to be a gold buying agent.
DSP Asare said although Menzgold was licensed to purchase gold, it was not licensed by the Minerals Commission to trade in gold.
Notwithstanding the lack of such a licence, he said, Menzgold went public after its incorporation and invited the public to deposit money for a fixed period with interest, on the pretext of gold purchasing.
He said further investigations revealed that the three accused persons were the directors and principal officers of Menzgold and Brew Marketing Consult.
As per experts, collaboration, wise decision-making, and good leadership are still essential for Africa’s development.
They emphasised the need for a paradigm shift on the continent, but they also made a compelling case that effective leadership at all levels and in all sectors is still essential to achieving Africa’s aspirations for development, transformation, and increased economic growth. Because “the solutions to African challenges are already in Africa,” they urged Africans to work together and partner with one another to advance growth and prosperity
Among the experts is the Chief Executive Officer of BCA Leadership, Dr. Modupe Taylor-Pearce, who emphasied that the moment for African leaders to unify and fight for the greater welfare of the African continent is now.
“If Africa is going to be great, we must collaborate. That means we must find it in our hearts to reach out to people who are not like us and leverage each other’s strengths.
“For far too long, Africans have waited for someone else to come and fix our continent. We have waited for the British, the French, the Germans, the Americans or the Canadians, and lately for the Chinese. None of these groups are ever going to love our continent the way that we love our continent. African problems will be solved by African leaders collaborating with each other to devise solutions; the solutions to African problems are already in Africa,” he said.
Dr. Modupe and others including Dr. Yaw Perbi, a fellow of the African Leadership Initiative, and Professor Emeritus Adei, a scholar and economist, made these remarks at the ‘Made in Africa Conference’ 5th edition launch – set to come off from June 14-15, 2023 in Accra. It will be held on the theme ‘Making Africa work for Africans: Collaborations and partnerships’.
For Dr. Perbi, the continent has to reassess its leadership practices since they are crucial and necessary for Africa’s progress.
He added that not until mindsets and narratives change, the quality of those decisions made today will determine the future of communities, companies, countries and the continent at large.
“Everything rises and falls on leadership. Leadership is cause and everything else is effect. We have to come together because if one country works and the other does not, it will not matter; it has to be Ubuntu. We need togetherness to make it work,” he stressed.
Professor Emeritus Adei also added that the way forward for Africa is having transformational leaders. “There is another side of leadership that is not celebrated in Africa, and that is business leadership. It is also important to celebrate and encourage business leadership. Let us also encourage continuous learning for leaders.”
Chief Executive Officer of Crescendo Consult, Doris Ahiati, meanwhile observed that another key factor in the quest to ‘make Africa work for Africans’ is sectors and individuals being accountable while holding others accountable.
She said it takes accountable leadership for a self-sufficient continent, adding that accountability is a crucial component lacking in the transformation and effective use of the continent’s resources. Ms. Ahiati also urged the citizenry to contribute their uniqueness and diversity toward realisation of the African dream.
With the resources that Africa possesses, the power to unleash the Africa heritage, according to Lawyer and Banker Samuel Ayim, requires countries on the continent to trust each other and build a united force. He is therefore confident that one African country’s problem has a solution in another, hence the need to partner.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Despite Media Group, Dr Osei Kwame Despite, on February 2, 2023, marked his 61st birthday.
In a video shared by blogger, GhHyper, the millionaire also offered inspiration and prayed that those experiencing difficulties in life would find relief and join his league.
He also urged Ghanaians to pray for him to live a long life because he was over the danger zone age.
According to Despite, the ages of 57 and 60, were regarded as dangerous, however, he didn’t explain why.
“I am out of the danger zone. I have crossed it. 57 to 60 are considered danger zone ages. I employ all Ghanaians to pray for me so that I may live a long time.
“I pray for all the people behind me to come and join me,” he said as he sat comfortably in his cream-coloured vintage car.
On February 2, 2023, Dr. Osei Kwame Despite was escorted by over fifteen expensive G-Wagon and Brabus vehicles while going to have breakfast at the Peduase Valley Resort.
This was before he met with the East Legon Executive Club members group at Dr. Ofori Sarpong’s home.
On his arrival, he was greeted by the executive club members with smiles, a raucous welcome, and a birthday song.
A popular member of the ruling New Patriotic Party, Alhaji Ahmed Bandoh, has expressed grief over what he describes as neglect by the party.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of Bahmed Travel and Tours, the NPP has failed to come through for him in his time of need.
Alhaji Bandoh alias Bahmed is currently on admission at the Police Hospital in Accra after his left leg was amputated.
In a report by Graphic.com.gh sighted by GhanaWeb, the former Board NPP has visited him at the hospital even though some top officials of the party are aware of his current predicament.
“I have been loyal to the NPP party, and former President Kuffuor will bear me witness. Jake Obetsebi Lamptey of blessed memory would have done same,” a dejected Alhaji Bandoh said.
“No party member has been here to at least sympathize with me, but l can say on authority that l have paid my dues as far as this party is concerned,” he added.
Describing the party’s action as heartless, Alhaji Bandoh urged the youth to take a cue from his situation.
According to him, the NPP is likely to fail in the next elections if the party continues to treat its stalwarts this way.
“The youth should take a cue from what I am going through, with this kind of attitude towards people like me who have struggled and toiled for the party, l don’t think they can break the eight as they profess. The leadership of the party is heartless,” he stated.
On how he ended up with an amputated leg, Alhaji Bandoh said a sore developed on his legs a few days after he felt a cut while putting on his football boots.
The sore got out of hand a few weeks later requiring his left leg to be amputated.
The businessman has served in various capacities for the NPP including serving as the NPP’s campaign coordinator in the La Dadekotopon Constituency in the 2002 elections.
Ahead of the 2024 general elections, Alhaji Bandoh announced that he was going to contest the party’s parliamentary primaries.
Ghanaian music sensation, Kofi Kinaata is set to thrill patrons at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar slated for 21st November to 18th December, 2022.
Organized by Kenpong Travel and Tours, Ghanaian fans expected to travel to Qatar for the month-long football festival would be treated to an incredible fan experience filled with boundless excitement.
Chief Executive Officer of Kenepong Travel and Tours, Kennedy Agyapong (Kenpong) on Wednesday, reached an agreement with the camp of the award-winning hip-life artist, paving the way for him to entertain Ghanaian fans during the Mundial, sources familiar with the arrangement have disclosed.
Kofi Kinaata,whose real name is Martin King Arthur is set to perform at all eight venues across the five cities in Qatar, as football-loving fans throw their weight behind the Black Stars, who are one of Africa’s five representatives in the tournament.
Some of his hit songs include, “Obi Ne Ba” “Sweetie-pie” “Confession” “Things Fall Apart” “Thy Grace.”
“Kinaata is a wonderful musician who has mastered his craft, so he would add colour to the tournament.
“We all know his exploits, his talent and his immense contribution to the industry in recent years. We settled on him to give patrons a wonderful experience,” an unnamed official said in a telephone interview.
However, reports say the East Legon Executive Fitness Club, led by their president, Dr. Ernest Ofori Sarpong and assisted by Dr. Osei Kwame Despite and other members have made payments for the platinum package, as they consider their support for the Black Stars as part of their civic responsibilities.
The exclusive travel and tour company was appointed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MOYS) to organise Ghanaian football fans to the Qatar World Cup.
Kenpong Travel and Tours has shown over the years that it has the experience and proven track record for organising supporters to major sporting events such as the World Cup, Olympic Games, boxing bouts etc.
Fans wanting to travel for the November showpiece will need GH¢37,443.4 ($4,710), the cheapest of the packages.
The $4,710 package comes with no feeding while in Qatar, it also covers economy class flight tickets, accommodation of four persons in a room, Category Two tickets for Ghana group matches, COVID-19 testing, travel insurance, medicals, internal transport and police report.
The most expensive package christened Platinum Category A- GH¢84,350 ($10,610) covers business class flight tickets, feeding, single occupancy accommodation in a five-star hotel, Category One tickets for Ghana group matches, COVID-19 testing, travel insurance, medicals, internal transport and a police report.
Workers of VALCO have debunked claims by the management that they have rejected a 22% salary increment.
Speaking on Starr Today with Joshua Kodjo Mensah Wednesday, the Local Union Youth Rep for VALCO, Mr. Courage Nunekpeku said that management’s press release indicating that workers have rejected salary increment is false.
“How will someone you work for instead of him seeking your welfare will rather want to damage you or let you look stupid in the public eye. The issue is not what they put out. We went for negotiation and we agreed in principle that they were going to restore us, which is a policy in VALCO. Which has to do with the dollar to cedi ratio.
“For instance, if my salary was Ghc1,989 which would be $337 dollars. It means that now that the dollar has shot up to Ghc12 our salary should automatically increase. So this has been the norm since 2010 between management and us since the restoration policy was instituted. Then management scrapped it without letting us know,” Mr. Nunekpeku explained.
He continued: “So when we raised the alarm or concerns to the Chief Executive Officer, he promised us that he was going to work on it. That he has instructed the Human Resource Director to work on it. Later we met the Board and they were also of the opinion that that was the best way to go and that it will be addressed in September.”
Mr. Nunekpeku added that mathematically the increase of their salary cannot be 22 percent as management has put out in the public domain.
According to him, what management is demanding per the rate of dollar is Ghc4 to the dollar instead of GHC12 adding that the workers have even reduced it to Ghc10 to the dollar but the management is adamant.
“It is 57% restoration, in fact asking for reduction in the first place is wrong. Because going forward quarterly whenever the dollar appreciates our salary in cedi must also change,” he added.
Workers of the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) have accused the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Daniel Acheampong of running the company into ruins.
The workers who embarked on a protest on Monday, October 31, 2022, in demand for the removal of top management of the company, who they claim are retirees, have also accused the CEO of implementing policies that do not favour them.
The workers of VALCO bemoaned the current management at the helm of affairs of the company.
The workers claim, despite operating locally, most operations of the company are carried out outside the country in dollars and most managerial roles are occupied by retirees who do not have the interest of the company at heart.
This, the workers said, is making their living conditions difficult, coupled with the current economic situation that has bedevilled the country thus their decision to embark on the protest, to register their displeasure with the prevailing conditions of the company.
A statement issued by the workers, signed by the President of the local workers union Edgar Mensah said the current crop of managers has “added nothing new to the operations of VALCO.
“The song they continue to sing is “We are not making a profit. Dan Acheampong keeps on telling us that the only reason why we can also benefit satisfactorily from VALCO is when these two (2) conditions are met:- When we are able to get Strategic Partner(s) to invest their money in the business; When the government is able to give us the power to start our second line at a reduced price.”
The statement said despite the conditions raised that need to be met, “They (the pensioners) continue to live opulent lifestyles whereas we have been denied the opportunity to have a fair share.
“He [CEO] says because we owe GRIDCO and VRA so much, if they heard he has increased our salary, they would not be pleased.”
It noted that: “Most of the retired top management personnel have continued to occupy company houses since retiring, blocking access to others to also enjoy same. Additionally, we have two (2) retired department directors heading the Maintenance Department.
“The unthinkable explanation is that one of them heads Mechanical related issues and the other Electrical matters. Dan Acheampong and Festus Quaidoo, in particular, have shown no love and commitment to improving the lives of the non-management employees.”
It further noted that Management has changed the “Tier 3 System” and “placed a blackmail on it once we speak for its reversal; Salary and Promotions for several non-management staff have been delayed unfairly for several years, leading to agitations.
“Wage Opener has been unnecessarily delayed as a result of bad faith on the part of management; Management has chosen ‘shutdown’ over ‘increment of salary’ for non-management; Financial malfeasance everywhere without any investigations.”
The workers, therefore, want all retirees occupying various managerial positions to step down.
Former National Peace Council Chairman, Rev Professor Emmanuel Kwaku Asante, has implored Ghanaian children to see the Free Senior High School policy implemented by the Akufo Addo government as an excellent opportunity for them to acquire life-changing education.
He also advised them to be disciplined and make education their priority.
According to him, getting access to education in the past was difficult. Still, with determination and self-discipline, many had the opportunity, and now as heroes and heroines serving the country and other nations.
The Past Presiding Bishop of The Methodist Church Ghana, Most Rev. Professor Emmanuel Asante, gave this advice during the launch of the 83rd Anniversary of Osei Tutu SHS at Akropong in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District of the Ashanti region under the theme: “Discipline, a panacea for academic and moral excellence.”
“Education in the past was very difficult, but those who were determined and self-disciplined were able to make it. You have free SHS, which makes access to education easy, so you have to make good use of it”. He stated.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the occasion and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dominion Chambers, Lawyer Dr. William Kusi appealed to the government to review the educational curriculum by revisiting the studies of Cultural studies, Religious Moral Education which are moral values to reshape the children’s behaviour to minimize the tendency social vices such as drugs abuse, streetism, teenage pregnancy and many more which affects their upbringing.
The Headmaster of Osei Tutu SHS, Dr. Asare Yeboah, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Board, Staff, and Old Students Association for the support given to him, especially (1980-81) year group for the Construction modern state of arts Clinic for the School.
Accra 100.5 FM’s Nana Romeo wondered why artistes who fallout with their label executives do not experience success. He cited industry examples to illustrate the so called jinx.
After saying, “I’ll talk for myself,” Bullet noted the question which, in his opinion, should first be asked: “How did the artist leave?”
“Did the person bang the door on their way out or they left peacefully?” he again asked in explanation.
Even beyond this, “there is something called ungratefulness. It is so dangerous but people don’t know,” he stressed.
“You actually don’t have to go to a shrine to seek someone’s downfall or pray against them when they are ungrateful or betray your trust. No,” the musician and label executive said matter-of-factly and added: There’s a spirit that deals with such people.”
Having stated he was going to blow the cover off the phenomenon on the ‘Ayekoo Ayekoo’ mid-morning show, Bullet explained that the helpers this spirit gives justice, are not just those who make financial investments in the career of an artiste.
“Time is money,” in the spirit world also, he said, as he noted that others make investments by offering their time and assistance.
“If you’re asked to pay for the time the person spends on you, you can’t,” he emphasised as he cautioned against despising people who do not necessarily offer financial assistance.
At this point, Bullet, who is half of the award-winning Ruff N Smooth musical duo, disclosed he learned this lesson the hard way.
“People have not really understood how this life works. It happened to us. Ruff N Smooth,” he said somberly and chronicled how after abandoning their former manager who had been of immense help, media executive Bola Ray, the music group experienced inexplicable failure.
Ruff (Bullet) N Smooth (Ahkan) was prominent for hits like ‘Swagger’, ‘Azingele’, ‘Sex Machine’, ‘Dance for Me’ and others.
A famed music executive, Bullet has managed artistes like Ebony Reigns, Wendy Shay, Ms Forson and Fantana. Critics have argued since leaving his record label, Ms Forson and Fantana have fumbled their careers.
According to her, she is a general builder, a market place Apostle and is not in the business just to participate but to dominate.
Delay started her career at the age of 17 at Life FM as a Radio Presenter. She later worked at Top FM and Oman FM until 2016 whilst streaming her own show, The Delay Show On TV3.
Hard working Miss Frimpong came out with Afia Schwarzenegger Television series in 2011.
She featured both Afia Schwarzenegger, the Genesis of her name and Nana Tornado who are now her archivals.
She ventured into Entrepreneurship first by selling shoes and now the owner of Delay Group of companies.
She has Delay Mackerel, Delay Spaghetti, and many more products to her credit. She is indeed a CEO.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Unique of Kingdom Communication Limited, Dr. Jonathan Kwame Amofa has quashed reports by Gh Mouthpiece saying that she was dismissed from Kingdom FM on the orders of President Akufo-Addo.
According to him, those reports are false, untrue and they must be treated with the needed contempt it deserves.
Dr. Amofa said, he is really surprised by the kind of posturing being put up by Gh Mouthpiece and Ola Michael hence is a calculated attempt to disgrace President Akufo-Addo and himself.
“Is never true President Akufo-Addo ordered the sack of Gh Mouthpiece, the truth of the matter is that she resigned from Kingdom FM citing personal reasons for her resignation which we could not stop her. Gh Mouthpiece sent a WhatsApp message to the General Manager of Kingdom FM citing her inability to continue her job in which I have WhatsApp evidence to support that, I don’t understand why she decided to bring President Akufo-Addo’s name into this issue to disgrace him. I never sacked her she resigned herself, “Dr. Jonathan Kwame Amofa told Fiifi Pratt on Accra-based Kingdom FM 107.7.
“Ola Michael and Gh Mouthpiece should be very careful in life because in these media jobs you don’t where you will end one day. Today you can trend on social media but one day it will affect you in your life why must you tarnish someone’s image to trend on social media? “he asked.
Background
A former radio presenter at Kingdom FM, known as Gh Mouthpiece, has alleged that Ghana’s president, Akufo-Addo pressured her director to sack her over comments made against his government and economic hardship under his leadership.
According to Gh Mouthpiece, the CEO of Kingdom FM, Jonathan Kwame Amofah, was put under pressure to take her off air based on an “order from above”, he told Neat FM.
Shatta Movement boss, singer and record producer Shatta Wale has finally revealed why he was absent from the 2022 Party in the Park held in the United Kingdom.
According to the singer and record producer, he had a misunderstanding with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the event organiser, Akwaaba Group, Dennis Tawiah.
Shatta Wale had expressed desire to be the sole performer for the event to highlight his Gift of God (GoG) album.
Mr Tawiah had not granted the request.
“I was in America, and I called Dennis and told him that they’ve done Party in the Park for the past years, but they haven’t done any special edition. So I’m about to launch my Gift of God (GOG) album, and I want you guys to make a special edition for me,” the SM boss said.
“This year’s Party in the Park should be Shatta Wale alone. Yes, me alone as the only musician,” Shatta Wale proposed.
In his interview with Metro TV’s Good Evening Ghana, he also disclosed he had also mentioned to Akwaaba Group CEO that his performance was going to be free of charge.
“I told him that this show that we are about to organise, I want him to take all the proceeds. I don’t need money. But just organise this thing for me so well so I can come with my team and perform,” the ‘On God’ hitmaker said.
Shatta Wale was later disappointed to see the official flyer for the event advertising other artistes to perform with him.
Since that went contrary to his proposed plan, he says he decided to charge a performance fee of GBP 100,000.
“The day I was supposed to fly, I told him, Dennis, if you want me to come, then you have to give me £100,000,” he explained.
The Chief Executive Officer, of Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Akwasi Agyeman, has urged women in tourism to work hand in hand to break the stereotypes that hold women down.
He said, “we need more of our women to rise to positions of authority that will enable them to influence policies, especially those that will affect the fortunes of other women.”
Agyeman made the observation at the just-ended biennial congress of the GTA Ladies Club.
The congress brought members across the regions to discuss ways to help the organization achieve its goals, empower each other, and exchange views and ideas aimed at improving the welfare of female staff.
He congratulated the Club for the commitment and efforts towards the successful operations of the GTA and urged them not to relent in their efforts to create a more formidable force of Authority.
Mrs. Doreen Fianko, Founder of the Club, said there were many conscious and unconscious biases around women, which hindered their progressive forward movement.
“This is the reason why women need to be empowered and allowed to redefine their gender roles and to make strategic life choices which will allow them more freedom to pursue their desired goals.”
Mrs. Emma Rachael Akua Oduro, Outgoing President of the Club, urged women in the Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Hospitality industry in Ghana, to mentor and coach one another through support groups to meet up with the growing demands within the industry.
She said the club was formed over two decades ago to, among other things, improve the welfare of the female staff through the exchange of ideas, promote the image and advancement of members as well as assist the management to achieve the basic objectives of the Authority and offer constructive suggestions and criticisms.
The Ladies’ Club has a membership of about 200 drawn from all 16 regions of Ghana.
Some activities that took place during the congress included a leadership training programme, an empowerment summit, a donation exercise, an election and swearing-in of new executives, a tour, and a picnic.
The newly sworn-in executives include Madam Francesca Quansah, President, Ms Abigail Kwayisi, Vice President, Madam Selase Tettevi, Organizer, Nana Yaa Boadu, Assistant Organizers, Madam Millicent Nweada, Public Relations Officer, Madam Ellen Gyeambea, Secretary, and Madam Dela Melchidek, Financial Secretary.
He said, “we need more of our women to rise to positions of authority that will enable them influence policies, especially those that will affect the fortunes of other women.”
Mr Agyeman made the observation at the just ended biennial congress of the GTA Ladies Club.
The congress brought members across the regions to discuss ways to help the organization achieve its goals, empower each other and to exchange views and ideas aimed at improving the welfare of female staff.
He congratulated the Club for the commitment and efforts towards the successful operations of the GTA and urged them not to relent in their efforts to creating a more formidable force of the Authority.
Mrs. Doreen Fianko, Founder of the Club, said there were many conscious and unconscious biases around women, which hindered their progressive forward movement.
“This is the reason why women need to be empowered and allowed to redefine their gender roles and to make strategic life choices which will allow them more freedom to pursue their desired goals.”
Mrs. Emma Rachael Akua Oduro, Outgoing President of the Club, urged women in the Tourism, Arts, Culture and Hospitality industry in Ghana, to mentor and coach one another through support groups to meet up with the growing demands within the industry.
She said the club was formed over two decades ago to, among other things, improve the welfare of the female staff through the exchange of ideas, promote the image and advancement of members as well as to assist the management to achieve the basic objectives of the Authority and offer constructive suggestions and criticisms.
The Ladies’ Club has a membership of about 200 drawn from all the 16 regions of Ghana.
Some activities that took place during the congress include, leadership training programme, empowerment summit, a donation exercise, election and swearing in of new executives, tour and picnic.
The newly sworn in executives include Madam Francesca Quansah, President, Ms Abigail Kwayisi, Vice President, Madam Selase Tettevi, Organizer, Nana Yaa Boadu, Assistant Organizers, Madam Millicent Nweada, Public Relations Officer, Madam Ellen Gyeambea, Secretary, and Madam Dela Melchidek, Financial Secretary.
The African beauty market is estimated to be worth US$10 billion, with South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Rwanda, and Ethiopia leading the way, according to Rebecca Donkor, Chief Executive Officer of Makeup Ghana. This clearly shows that the continent is important to both the consumption and production of goods in the global beauty industry.
She continued, “The sub-Saharan African beauty market continues to grow dramatically, and it can currently boast around 821 million people who are eager to acquire a wide range of cosmetics and beauty goods, making the space promising and necessitating deliberate investment.”
For his part, CEO of Premium Africa Holdings, Farouk Khailann, said the public and private sectors must join forces to harness the gains of the beauty industry as it has great potential that needs attention.
“It is one of the fastest growing industries; it has created several jobs for a lot of young individuals. It shows potential and it is about time stakeholders – those interested in the country’s economic growth – leveraged it. There is room for scaling up and for export. We can contribute to product formation.
“Those managing the policy formation must keep a close front with industry players – private and public – to build a collective front,” he told the B&FT at the Beauty and Entrepreneurship Summit in Accra.
To further put the industry on a higher pedestal, he said players must intentionally market the sector and the country at large while taking advantage of the digital space.
CEO of First Choice Hair and Beauty, Faustina Adofo-Adjagar, also holds that the industry is experiencing speedy growth, hence, businesses in the space must pay attention to customer relations and satisfaction to increase gains.
“We did not expect occurrences such as this summit ten years ago, where we get a lot of people to come and teach us about how to improve our businesses, how to communicate and leverage new media or even get lessons on financial management and getting the right things done legally. The beauty industry is doing well and getting better, and the narratives are changing. We have to work on customer service as it is key when it comes to the beauty industry. Let us work on ourselves and get the necessary investments and training to better understand products,” she said.
The summit, she said, is a step in the right direction toward perfecting activities in the space.
In a lengthy Facebook post on September 30, Sadiq, the man with over 17 years of experience in the media space said despite his decision to resign, he was ready to serve his people and community if called upon.
“Today is officially my last working day as the CEO/MD of 3Media Networks (3Music TV) an organisation I founded in 2017 and had the rare privilege to lead for 5 years,” parts of his statement read.
“I have always lived by the creed that my work and life should ultimately benefit my industry, community and country and if later on in my life I am called upon by my people and country to serve in whatever capacity, I will not turn my back on them.”
Well wishes have congratulated the former 3Music boss for his contribution to the local industry adding that his effort can not be overlooked.
Others noted that he was finally diverting into politics after years of dedication to his party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which is the leading opposition party in Ghana.
He also serves as a member of the NDC’s Communication Team on Entertainment, Arts and Culture.
Although Sadiq failed to emphatically state his next mission, parts of his statement dropped a hint.
“I believe the time has come for me to extend my quest for excellence and remarkable experience in the media industry to other sectors of society.”
Read the statement below:
“Today is officially my last working day as the CEO/MD of 3Media Networks (3Music TV) an organisation I founded in 2017 and had the rare privilege to lead for 5 years. The time has come to extend my quest for excellence and remarkable experience to other sectors of society” pic.twitter.com/VYGiBEqGCF
Contrary to a claim by Kojo Poku, the Chief Executive Officer of Big Ideaz Consult, a local partner of the just-ended Global Citizen Festivalin Accra, that none of the artists billed for the event was paid a performance fee, Gyakie, one of the musicians who performed at the event said she was duly paid.
3news.com quotes Gyakie to have said on 3FM Drive, Tuesday, that she was paid a full amount.
“Yes, everybody that was on the stage was obviously paid. The dancers, the choristers, the band. Everybody,” she said while responding in the affirmative that she was given what was due her.
“Yes. (full amount?) Absolutely. Every single person was paid.”
The Global Citizen Festival 2022 came off at the Black Star Square on September 24. It wasn’t an average Accra Saturday evening as stars from around the world and within Ghana graced the show.
With powerhouses like Usher, SZA, Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, Gyakie and Stormzy on the bill, the event saw tens of thousands thrilled to spectacular performances.
After the successful event, Kojo Poku in an interview 3FM said performers were not paid because they understood the rationale behind the concert.
He said: “I have to say that no artist was paid a performance fee for this. Everyone who mounted the stage did so out of the benevolence of their heart and the Global Citizen because it’s bigger than how much you’ll make out of a performance on that stage.”
What is the Global Citizen Festival?
Global Citizen Festival is an annual music festival where fans take actions toward ending extreme poverty in order to earn free tickets. The festivals bring together Global Citizens, artists, activists, world leaders, philanthropists, corporate leaders, and more, with one collective mission: End Extreme Poverty NOW.
Global Citizen Festival is timed to coincide with the UN General Assembly to leverage opportunities to get policy and financial commitments from government, corporate, and philanthropic leaders to defeat poverty, demand equity, and defend the planet.
Okoe Boye advised Agbana to conduct research before criticising, and clarified at the contract was signed with four newly promoted clubs not only Nsoatreman.
He continued that the objective of the deal is to increase NHIS membership in the areas where the teams are based.
He explained on Asempa FM that the objective is to use the operational money to facilitate registrations in the regions.
The clubs that have partnered with NHIS include Nsoatreman FC, Samartex, Tamale City, and Kotoku Royals.
“Agbana is a young man like myself. I’m not 60 years to act like I’m old enough to advise him but I’d like to let him know that it helps a lot to be slow to judge and be very quick to get the details,” he said.
“Yesterday’s sponsorship is a partnership between National Health Insurance and four football clubs. The new entrants. What we did was that we looked at the operational monies we send to districts and said instead of the general of going to the market, focus on the area these teams are in and drive up membership. Cover all footballers on the team, all technical team, their wives, their children, minimum of ten thousand of their supporters. This time instead of paying allowance for our workers and feeding and fuel, we are handling the processing fees for the ten thousand,” he added.
The NHIS have signed a five-year deal with each club.
Edem Agbana implied in a Facebook post that the newly promoted side earned the sponsorship because the team owner, Ignatius Baffour Awuah, and other board members are parliamentarians on the ruling government’s ticket.
“It appears every member of this government wants to leave a legacy of scandals. The latest is Dr Oko Boye. How can a scheme suffocating financially give sponsorship to a privately owned football club? Is it because Nsoatreman FC is owned by Ignatius Baffuor Awuah, NPP MP for Sunyani West, and Employment Minister? The board chairman is Majority leader and Suame MP, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu. On what merit did the team qualify for such support if not for its owner? Shameless folks in government, always looking for the opportunity to USE state resources for their private benefits? I’m highly disappointed in OKO BOYE!!”
The Chief Executive Officer of Procal Links Ghana Limited, the official match ball partner of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Alhaji Alhassan Mutala has hinted that his outfit is capable and ready to supply match balls to other African football leagues.
Alhassan Mutalatold Power and TV XYZ Sports that his companywhich has been the sole supplier of balls to both Ghana Premier League and Division One for the past three seasons, took delivery of a forty-fetter container of tempo balls just to fulfill a contractual obligation with the Ghana Football Association as the new football season is about to start.
Procol Links first introduced Macron match balls in their business relationship with Ghana Football Association before coming up with the famous and match talked about TEMPO which later gained strikes and became coaches’ favorite in the Ghanaian Premier League.
Mr Mutala also disclosed the mechanism, the behavior, and the tempo of Macron and Tempo balls are specially designed for the African weather condition and the facilities available for our game, so he is calling on all African Football Federations to honor their football leagues with match balls design for Africa performance for football fans to enjoy.
This follows media publication suggesting that the CEO of the defunct Menzgold holds a Service passport.
The Ministry described the publication as “blatantly false.â€
According to the Ministry, NAM1 holds an ordinary passport and not a Service Passport.
In a Facebook post on Monday, 29 August 2022, the Ministry stated categorically that, “the Passport Office has not issued any Service Passport to the person [NAM1] in question.â€
It stressed that: “Checks from our system indicate that NAM 1 only holds an ordinary passport, which was issued in Accra, by the Passport Office.
“The general public must, therefore, disregard the said publication, as it is blatantly false.â€
The Chief Executive Officer of the African Energy Consortium, Kwame Jantuah, has indicated that the people of Ghana have trust issues when it comes to how revenues to be generated from the yet-to-be approved E-levy will be utilized.
Mr Jantuah, a private legal practitioner, said Ghanaians do not believe that the economy has been handled well by the current government hence the rejection of the E-levy.
“There is a question of trust. Ghanaians want to know if they can trust the government to account to them on the use of the e-levy money,” he said on the New Day show on TV3 Friday, February 11.
He added, “Do the people feel the government has handled the economy well? From a look of things, it doesn’t look so.”
He was contributing to a discussion on the Yentua demonstration organized against the proposed E-levy on Thursday, February 10.
During the demonstration, General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, served notice that the Electronic Transfer Levy will be scrapped within the first 100 days of its government if it is passed by the current administration.
He said that was a pledge he was making on behalf of his party in the unlikely situation the Eighth Parliament passes the bill.
These same sentiments were expressed by Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram Constituency Sam Nartey George.
“Well, I am glad my General Secretary has said it. People have been asking, and you are hearing it today,” he told Media General’s Johnnie Hughes at Obra Spot, the converging point of the Yentua Demo.
“We have made a pledge to the Ghanaian people [that] when the NDC comes into power, in the first 100 days, we will abolish it because it is a nuisance tax.”
