Business

 

Source:Fati Aminu Ibrahim

The Mayor of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Samuel Pyne, has dismissed allegations that the New Kejetia Market will be closed on Saturday, December 7, to compel traders to participate in the general elections.

The claims, reportedly circulated by some aggrieved traders at the market, alleged that the Mayor had ordered the closure following a request from the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) running mate, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, during a meeting with queen mothers in Kumasi.

Samuel Pyne,Kumasi Mayor

Speaking to Channel One News, Mayor Samuel Pyne categorically denied the allegations, labelling them as baseless and false. He clarified that his office has not issued any directive to close the market on election day.

The Mayor further revealed that intelligence gathered suggests some members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) may be plotting to disrupt activities at the market on election day.

Mayor Pyne urged traders and the public to disregard the false reports and remain calm as the authorities work to ensure a peaceful election.

“Regarding the New Kejetia Market, the Assembly, Regional Security Council (REGSEC), and Municipal Security Council have not taken any decision to close down that facility because of elections.

“REGSEC, Municipal Security Council, we met Tuesday, and Wednesday and took a decision that all installations within the region be protected during the elections. We have not taken any decision to close down any of the markets within the Kumasi metropolis and across the region on election day.

“It was one National Democratic Congress (NDC) surrogate who wrote a false letter just to distract attention, some of these things need to be reported to the police because it causes fear and panic. I will officially report the matter to the regional police command for action to be taken. What we are doing is to protect all installations.”

By: Felix Baidoo

The Juaben Rural Bank PLC, over the weekend, announced the payment of Gh¢1,125,053.00 as a dividend for the 2023 financial year, with each share amounting to GH¢0.07.
The announcement of the dividend payment follows approval by the Bank of Ghana upon request from the Board of Directors of Juaben Rural Bank PLC.

The Board Chairman in Ass of Rural Bank’s cloth interacting with the CEO during the meeting

Nana Dr. Appiagyei Dankawoso I, Board Chairman of the Bank, announced at the 38th annual general meeting of the Bank held at Juaben stating that the amount represented 27.14 per cent of the profit after tax of Gh¢4,145,00 4.00 for the year under review.
He stated that despite the current unstable nature of the nation’s financial sector, the Juaben Rural Bank PLC made gains according to the bank’s financial indicators.
Financial indicators
He said the Bank’s Deposit grew from Gh¢194,094,199.00 in 2022 to Gh¢240,785,384.00 in 2023 representing a 24.06 per cent increase.
The Board Chairman also indicated that Loans and Advances (Gross) increased to Gh¢71,300,218.00 in 2023 as against Gh¢61,415,768.00 in 2022 representing 16.09 per cent.
On Investment, Nana Dr. Appiagyei Dankawoso stated that it also saw a growth of Gh¢163,656,774.00 in 2023 as against Gh¢109,303,057.00 representing 49.73 per cent.
According to Him, total assets increased to Gh¢275,153,521.00 in 2023 as compared to Gh¢223,705,130.00 representing a 23 per cent increase.
The Board Chairman said Stated Capital increased from Gh¢4,231,848.00 in 2022 to Gh¢4728,406.00 in 2023 representing 11 per cent while profit after Tax grew from Gh¢3,774,192.00 in 2022 to Gh¢4,145,004.00 in 2023 and representing a 9.82 per cent.
He attributed the gains made to the compliance to prudent strategic measures put in place by the Board and the Management of the bank as he pledged to continue working very hard towards the attainment of better outcomes in the years ahead.

Corporate Social Responsibility
The Board Chairman mentioned that as part of the Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility, it spent a total of GH¢105,000.00 on institutions/groups and individuals in the form of Scholarships, farmers’ Day Celebration (Juaben, Ejisu, Asokore Mampong, Bosome Freho, Old Tafo, Suame and Kwabre East District and Municipal Assemblies), Community Support (Dumakwai, Juaben, Ejisu, Breman, Tafo), as well as support to the development of education infrastructure in their operational areas.
Strategic planning

The Chief Executive Officer of the Juaben Rural Bank, Noble Augustine Awere Damoah, said “The ever-changing market dynamics required strategic initiatives to achieve strong and sustainable business growth and I am happy to inform you that the Bank’s performance for 2023 is a testament to our resolve to position our Bank amongst the elite Rural Banks in the country”.

He stated that the Bank’s performance so far had been impressive and was hopeful that as they looked into the future, they would continue to strategize to increase their market share by ensuring operational excellence, leveraging their core strengths and executing superior strategies to achieve sustainable business growth.

Call for investment
The CEO indicated that it was a good time to invest in Juaben Rural Bank and appealed to business people, companies, investors, and individuals to acquire shares in our bank as our Bank is focused on maximizing shareholders’ value and delivering optimal returns on investments.

“On the occasion of the 40th-anniversary celebration of our Bank, I would like to express my profound appreciation to the Board of Directors for their unwavering support and assistance to my administration. To my Management team and the entire staff, I say Ayekoo to them for their continuous commitment and hard work”. He said.
END

 

Source: tntnewspapergh.com

The leading telecommunications network in the country, MTN Ghana, has held its annual special dinner and awards night in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, to recognise top agents and merchants who have contributed significantly to the growth of MTN MoMo.

The event, which was held on Saturday, 30th November 2024, at the Golden Bean Hotel in Kumasi, highlighted the commitment of MTN Ghana to financial inclusion and the crucial role its stakeholders have played in the company’s success.

It is significant to note that since its launch in 2009, MTN MoMo has transformed Ghana’s financial landscape, providing millions with secure, simple and affordable mobile money services.

Mr. Nii Adotey Mingle, the General Manager for the Northern Business District, in his welcome remarks, acknowledged the difficulties MTN MoMo faced in its early stages and highlighted its significant contribution to Ghana’s economy.

According to Mr. Mingle, the importance of embracing emerging technologies to enhance services and meet the growing demands of the financial sector cannot be overemphasised.

The General Manager touched on the explosive potential of Ghana’s fintech industry and emphasised the significant opportunities in areas such as digital payments, cross-border payments, insurance, investments and e-commerce.

Awardees displaying their awards

On his part, Mr. Simon Amoh, Senior Business Manager for the Northern Business District, also praised stakeholders, including merchants, agents and the media, for their contributions to the rapid growth of MTN MoMo.

Mr.Nii Adotey Mingle, speaking at the event

Awardees

Mr. Frank Osei, CEO of Franko Bestigue Ventures, was adjudged the top agent at the MTN MoMo @15 Northern Business District Stakeholder Dinner and Awards Night.

He went home with a lucrative package consisting of GH¢20,000 cash prize, a brand-new motorbike and a commemorative plaque.

Mr. Osei, who couldn’t hide his excitement, expressed his profound appreciation to MTN for the recognition.

The company also recognised prominent MTN agents, merchants and partners for their outstanding service, including a special one for Madam Rita Mensah for her role in MTN Ghana’s popular “Mensa Aka” advertisement.

 

 

MTN Ghana, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), and the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, has announced a series of initiatives to mark the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

This global campaign takes place from November 25th to December 10th, 2024, with the aim of raising awareness and taking action to eliminate all forms of gender-based violence. Within this period, the organisations are focusing on increasing awareness about GBV, providing resources and support, promoting gender equality and amplifying messages on the implication of GBV on victims.

The partners are utilizing the extensive transport system to educate the public on the causes, consequences, and prevention of GBV.

In her Keynote address, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Dakoa Newman, emphasized the need to tackle gender-based violence stating that 27.7% of Ghanaian women experienced domestic violence, while 38.2% of adolescent girls have suffered sexual violence. These figures, she said, calls for urgent collective action to end gender-based violence in Ghana.

Robert Kuzoe

Speaking at the launch of the campaign, the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Charles Abani said, “this is an initiative that seeks to harness the power and reach of Ghana’s public transport network to create awareness and foster action against GBV. Public transport in Ghana plays a vital role in the daily lives of millions of citizens. It is a space where people come together, regardless of their background, to travel for work, school, social activities, and more. This makes it a prime opportunity for dialogue and education on critical social issues such as GBV”.

Speaking on the campaign, Robert Kuzoe, Senior Manager for MTN Ghana Foundation, emphasized the company’s commitment to collaborating with partners to end GBV. He stated, “Gender-based violence is not inevitable; it is preventable. We have a responsibility to create a world where everyone, regardless of gender, can live free from fear and violence. Ending GBV is not just about protecting victims; it is about promoting human rights, equality, and a future where everyone can thrive.”

 

Dravid Wilfred Ochan, UNFPA Country Representative, called on Ghanaians to share their stories, experiences, and ideas for creating a safer and GBV-free transport sector. He called for more action from policymakers, transport operators, and community leaders against GBV.

“I invite everyone of you to join us in this vital mission to raise awareness and mobilize action against GBV by using the hashtag – #JoinTheBusStopTheViolence. Let us share our stories, experiences, and ideas for creating a safer and GBV-free transport sector.” He emphasized.

The General Secretary of GPRTU, Mr. Godfred Abugiri in his welcome address expressed his excitement about the partnership and stated the GPRTU’s commitment to helping fight Gender Based Violence in Ghana.

UNFPA, MTN Ghana and GPRTU acknowledge that gender-based violence undermines the fundamental rights and dignity of individuals, and they remain dedicated to creating a society where everyone can live free from violence, fear, and discrimination. This initiative highlights MTN’s commitment to promoting safety, equality, and respect for all members of the community.

Through this campaign, the three organizations aim to inspire collective action, empowering individuals, communities, and organizations to challenge harmful norms, report incidents of abuse, and support survivors.

End
Media Contacts:
Adwoa Afriyie Wiafe
Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer

Georgina Asare Fiagbenu
Senior Manager Corporate Communications
Email: MTNGhana.MediaOffice@mtn.com

MEDIA RELEASE

Accra 26th November 2024 MTN Ghana has partnered with MobileMoney Ltd and Access Bank Ghana PLC to offer device financing for MTN customers. This new service, called “MTN Pick and Pay Later,” allows customers to select a smartphone, make an initial payment, and pay off the remaining balance in instalments over either 4 or 6 months through MoMo.

The smartphone options available to customers will be determined by their creditworthiness, which is assessed through a credit scoring engine on the MTN network. To access this service, customers can dial *170#, select Financial Services, and then choose “Device Pick and Pay Later” under the Loans section.

Mr. Noel Kojo-Ganson, the Chief Commercial Officer for MTN, emphasized the company’s belief that everyone deserves the benefit of a modern, connected life, including having a good smartphone for high-speed internet services. He noted that this initiative is intended to help customers who want smartphones but may have limited cash for upfront purchases. The collaboration with MobileMoney Ltd and Access Bank is important for reducing communication costs.

As part of this collaboration, Access Bank will offer financing options for customers to purchase smartphones that enable access to digital banking services, ensuring they can stay connected online. This partnership aligns with the bank’s goal of promoting financial inclusion and supporting a cash-light economy, making it easier for customers to afford smartphones and access digital services.

Matilda Asante-Asiedu, Group Head of Retail Banking at Access Bank Ghana, highlighted the importance of this initiative: “Only 13% of the eligible population have access to borrowing leaving a substantial gap for those who qualify but do not have access to finance.” She added,

“This partnership reflects Access Bank’s vision of providing innovative solutions to the markets we serve, empowering individuals to support their lifestyles in a world that is rapidly becoming more digital, all through the convenience of a mobile phone.”

The “Pick and Pay Later” service is supported by other partners, including Hollard Insurance, PaySwitch, and Atlantic Phones, all of which provide various services to enhance customer experience.

With a wide range of smartphone options available, from entry-level to mid-tier 4G phones, the MTN “Pick and Pay Later” service aims to meet customers’ needs and support their ability to transact anytime and anywhere. By financing these devices, MTN Ghana, Access Bank, and their partners are dedicated to reaching the unbanked population and promoting the adoption of digital financial solutions.

Customers can find more details about the service by visiting www.mtnghnana.com and www.ghana.accessbankplc.com sending an email to customercare.gh@mtn.com or by accessing ‘Device Pick and Pay Later’ under the loan menu using the MTN short code *170#.

End.

Media Contacts:
Adwoa Wiafe
Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer

Georgina Asare Fiagbenu