Two-story buildings housing several shops have been torched in a fire outbreak in the central business district of Adum in Kumasi.
The fire at the popular Blue Light arena, close to Hello FM, started around 6am and spread rapidly as fire officers made attempts to contain the blaze.
Some scenes from the fire
Panicking traders had to break into their shops to throw out their wares as the fire ravaged.
Most of the shops deal in mobile phones and accessories, jewellery, and clothing.
According to an eyewitness account, the fire sparked from a flicking electricity pole in the area, leading to a spark on the top floor of one of the buildings.
Programmes Director at Hello FM, Nana Ama Ataffuah Quainoo, confirmed the evacuation of staff as the fire spread rapidly. She, however, says the Fire Service personnel kept long in coming.
Several fire tenders later arrived at the scene but faced difficulties fighting the fire.
The Minister of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has expressed deep concern over what he said is insufficient budgetary allocation to his office, stating that the GH¢78 million assigned for the year is woefully inadequate to meet the operational needs of the three key agencies under his supervision.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, March 19, Kwakye Ofosu underscored the pressing financial needs of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), the Information Services Department (ISD), and the Ghana News Agency (GNA).
These institutions, he stressed, play a crucial role in disseminating government information, keeping the public informed, and upholding media integrity.
However, he lamented that the current funding levels would severely hinder their ability to function effectively.
In his submission, the minister detailed the financial burden placed on these institutions, noting that they collectively employ 2,537 civil servants who rely on the budgetary provision to carry out their duties.
He went on to highlight the urgent financial demands of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), which has been tasked with expanding its services to cover the six newly created regions.
“There are three agencies that I superintend, namely the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, the Information Service Department and the Ghana News Agency. These three agencies alone have 2,537 civil servants and it is these civil servants who have been allocated GH¢78 million in both goods and services.
“Mr. Speaker, it is woefully inadequate for them because the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation alone needs GH¢36 million to establish a presence in the six regions that they [the previous administration] created.”
Accra, March 17, 2025 – Scancom PLC (MTN Ghana) will hold its 7th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Shareholders on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 11:00 GMT. This year’s AGM will be a hybrid event, with an in-person meeting taking place at the Accra International Conference Center, as well as a live stream for Shareholders who prefer to join virtually.
Dr.-Ishamel-Yamson-Board-Chairman-Scancom-PLC
The agenda for the AGM is as follows:
To receive and consider the Audited Financial Statements together with the reports of the Directors and Auditors thereon for the year ended December 31, 2024;
To declare a final dividend for the year ended December 31, 2024;
To re-elect or appoint the following as Directors of the Company:
To re-elect Sugentharen Perumal who is retiring by rotation:
To re-elect Fatima Daniels who is retiring by rotation:
To re-elect Ebenezer Twum Asante who is retiring by rotation:
To re-elect Tsholo Molefe who is retiring by rotation; and
To appoint Nosisa Fubu as a director of the Company.
To approve Directors’ fees for the financial year 2025; and
To authorize the Directors to fix the remuneration of the Auditor for the financial year 2025.
Shareholders are invited to attend the in-person meeting at the Accra International Conference Center or participate virtually via www.mtnghagm.com from 11:00 AM GMT on March 27, 2025. Participation through the virtual link will be free for all Shareholders on MTN’s network. MTN will reimburse Shareholders on MTN’s network who incur charges.
Alternatively, Shareholders without smartphones may participate in the AGM by dialing +233244300025, entering the access code 8000, or entering the conference PIN 056789.
A unique token number has been sent to Shareholders by email and/or SMS to grant access to the AGM. Registration for the AGM will begin at 10:00 AMat the Accra International Conference Center.
Shareholders have the option to appoint a proxy to attend and vote on their behalf. The proxy does not need to be a Shareholder of the Company. A copy of the Proxy Form can be downloaded from www.mtnghagm.com, and must be completed, signed, and sent via email only to info@csd.com.gh as soon as possible and no later than 48 hours prior to the meeting.
To allow Shareholders to review the 2024 Audited Financial Statements before the AGM, a copy has been uploaded online and can be accessed at www.mtnghagm.com.
Voting during the AGM will be conducted electronically by dialing USSD code 8990#. Shareholders who do not submit proxy forms prior to the meeting may vote using their unique token number.
For further information about this year’s AGM, Shareholders may contactinfo@csd.com.gh or call 0302 906 576 or 0303 972 254.
Media Contacts:
Adwoa Afriyie Wiafe
Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has called on Members of Parliament to support the passage of the 2025 budget estimates to enable the government to implement key economic policies aimed at fostering growth.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Post-Budget Workshop in Parliament, Dr. Forson highlighted several transformational measures in the budget, including the Big Push initiative, the establishment of the Ghana Gold Board, and Agriculture for Economic Transformation.
“We have outlined a number of revenue and expenditure measures in the 2025 budget to support the achievement of our fiscal objectives and targets. And we would like to call on this esteemed House, particularly my colleagues, the Members of Parliament, to support these measures and the passage of the various legislations that will operationalise the measures as soon as possible.”
He further outlined key initiatives designed to drive sustainable economic growth.
“Some initiatives that we have proposed for implementation in this budget are as follows: we are proposing to roll out the 24-hour economy policy to support inclusive growth and job creation. We also propose to roll out the GH¢10 billion Big Push policy beginning this year.
“We are proposing the establishment of the Ghana Gold Board to support foreign exchange inflows and gold reserve accumulation to benefit our dear country.”The Finance Minister’s appeal comes as Parliament deliberates on the budget, with expectations for bipartisan support to facilitate the government’s economic agenda.By:Nii Ayikwei Okine
Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has clarified that there is no freeze on employment in the public sector. Speaking in an interview with Channel One TV on Wednesday, March 12, he dismissed speculations suggesting that the government had halted recruitment into various sectors. Dr Ato Forson’s statement comes amid concerns over job opportunities in the public sector, with many questioning whether the government has imposed restrictions on new hires.
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson
“There is no freeze on employment,” he stated emphatically, reassuring the public that recruitment would continue based on the country’s economic needs.
His remarks are expected to provide relief to job seekers and public sector workers who have been uncertain about the government’s hiring policies. The Finance Minister further emphasised that the government remains committed to creating jobs and improving employment conditions, particularly for the youth. The clarification also signals the government’s intention to sustain essential public services and ensure that key sectors, such as health and education, receive adequate personnel. Dr Ato Forson’s reassurance aligns with the broader economic policies aimed at strengthening Ghana’s workforce and fostering growth.Source:Peacefmonline.com
In commemoration of the International Women’s Day celebration, MTN Ghana partnered with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Charter House and the Eve Foundation as it organised various programs to celebrate and support the development of women in Ghana.
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection organised a health walk from Circle to the premises of the ministry, Accra to create awareness on women’s rights. The walk was organised under the theme, “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment.” The purpose of the partnership was to highlight MTN Ghana’s commitment to promoting gender equality, empowering women, and advocating for the rights of girls.
some scenes from the ceremony
Addressing participants after the walk, Senior Manager for Corporate Communication at MTN Ghana, Georgina Fiagbenu, noted that the theme for this year’s celebration challenges all persons to reflect on the strides made towards empowering women and girls while acknowledging the barriers that still hinder full participation.
She said, “this year’s theme resonates with MTN’s policy on equality and diversity. We are committed to breaking barriers that limit women in the workplace. We commit to achieving workforce gender equality by 2030 and gender pay parity as a key strategic measure to enhance the quality of diversity, equity and inclusion”.
In her address, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey congratulated all women on International Women’s Day. She said, “today’s walk is significant for all of us, it not just a walk to exercise but a walk to acknowledge and recognise that women cannot be left behind. It is a message we are sending across that women are poised to ensure that their voices are heard everywhere, their efforts and contributions to national development are acknowledged and properly rewarded”.
At the National Women’s Summit and Expo organised by Charter House, MTN’s Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Angela Mensah Poku, shared her personal experiences on how she navigates through life as a career woman to encourage young professionals aspiring to climb the corporate ladder. She also shared details on how women could adopt technology to enhance their businesses and put their businesses on the global scale.
Women in Makola were also educated on how they could use technology to access healthcare though the MTN mCare service which is being rolled out onto the Ghanaian market. Speaking at the EVE International Foundation event held under the theme, “Celebrating Women at The Grassroot of Economic Empowerment”, Nsroma Delanyo Amoateng, MTN Manager of Products and Services, demonstrated how women can use their mobile phones to access medical care at very affordable rates.
International Women’s Day is a global movement that celebrates the achievements of women while advocating for gender parity. This year’s theme “Accelerate Action’ underscores the need to ensure that all women and girls, regardless of background, have equal access to opportunities, resources, and the ability to thrive in all aspects of life.
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Media Contacts:
Adwoa Afriyie Wiafe
Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer
Email: MTNGhana.MediaOffice@mtn.com
The budget provides funding for the following projects in the Ashanti Region:
1. Kejetia Market Phase 2 Completion
• Status: Stalled due to funding issues but budget has made provisions to resume work.
• Page: 17
2. Road Infrastructure (Under the Big Push Programme)
• The budget has allocated funding for various road construction and maintenance projects in the Ashanti Region.
President John Mahama and Dr.Frank Amoakohene,the Ashanti Regional Minister
Educational Infrastructure
• GETFund has been uncapped to provide additional funding for schools in the region.
• The budget has allocated funds for:
• Classroom block constructions in some districts.
• Provision of free textbooks for students (part of the nationwide intervention).
• Page: 59-60
Health Infrastructure
• Expansion of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) Projects, including:
• Renovation and equipping of maternity and children’s blocks.
• Funding for new hospital wards under the MahamaCares Health Program.
• Page: 61
Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA)
• The Ashanti Region will benefit from support for commercial farming, irrigation projects, and mechanization services under this program.
• Districts with strong agricultural bases will be prioritized for funding.
• Page: 62
Expansion of Free SHS and Infrastructure Improvement
• Additional funding for school infrastructure, feeding programs, and dormitory expansion in Ashanti Region secondary schools.
• Page: 59-60
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In Addition,
• Security Enhancements: Due to recent incidents, including attacks on traders and businesses, the region will receive increased police presence and CCTV installations in key market areas.
• Page: 35
• Support for Small-Scale Miners: The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBOD) will regulate and support artisanal gold mining activities in mining hubs, including parts of Ashanti Region.
• Page: 55
