Business

 

 

“Change”, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen says, is what Ghanaians require.

He believes it is time for politicians to do away with the practice of presenting a manifesto in an election year to hoodwink electorates.

He claimed manifestos are nothing but promises which are not fulfilled.

“Ghanaians now want to move beyond manifestos. They want practicable plans,” he said in an interview on NEAT FM’s afternoon political show,” ‘Me Man Nti’.

Alan Kyeremanten

Mr Alan Kyerematen also questioned Mr John Dramani Mahama’s key policy the ilatter ntends to implement in his next government when elected as president.

“His 24-hour economy is just a promise, what Ghanaians want to know is the plan to execute that. Ghanaians are tired of all these promises,” he claimed.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana

 

Source: tntnewspapergh.com

The occupants of the Asafo Market within the Kumasi metropolis have been given an ultimatum to vacate their stalls to pave the way for a contractor to commence work to redevelop the market on Sunday, 25th February 2024.

The Assembly invoked its statutory powers to engage the service of a contractor on a Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis to redevelop the Asafo Market. The decision is aimed at enhancing the current state of the market and its value.

The “New Trust” newspaper has gathered that the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), on 25th May 2023 in a letter signed by the then Metro Co-ordinating Director, Mr Kwadwo Akuoamoah Boateng, for the Metro Chief Executive, was served to all occupants of Asafo Market stalls to vacate the stalls for redevelopment.

The letter dated 25th May 2023, which was addressed to all occupants of Asafo Market stalls, was entitled: “DEMAND TO HAND OVER VACANT POSSESSION FOR REDEVELOPMENT OF THE MARKET”.

The letter read: “As you are very much aware, we invoked our statutory powers to engage the service of a contractor to redevelop Asafo Market which is aimed at enhancing the living conditions of the property and its value.

“In this regard, we write this letter to formally demand from you to vacate the stalls which you currently possess to pave the way for the redevelopment as the contractor has formally communicated his readiness to commence the 2nd Phase of the construction.

Hon Samuel Pyne,Kumasi Mayor

“Please ensure that the property is left in its original condition without any damage or alterations and also ensure that you submit your names, identification cards and your stall details to the office of the contractor to guarantee your right of first option to repossess the said stalls.

“We would like to thank you in advance for your cooperation. We understand that vacating a property can be stressful, but we hope to make this process easier for you.Thank you.

Signed Kwadwo Akuoamoah Boateng (Metro Co-ordinating Director) for Metro Chief Executive.”

As a backgrounder

The Asafo Market is a trading centre at Asafo in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, near the Asafo Interchange.

The market was formerly called Nkrumah Market, which was named after the first President of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, but the name was changed to Asafo Market when Dr. Nkrumah was overthrown.

This paper has learnt that already the 2nd Phase of the project, which is made up of about 100 shops have been completed.

Moreover, the contractor for the project, since last year, has allocated temporary shops to many occupants who will be affected by the next phase of the project.

Our news team has observed that a giant billboard has been erected in front of the market to create awareness to the occupants of the stalls and the general public about the readiness of the contractor to start work aside from several stakeholder engagements.

The inscription on the giant billboard reads: “REDEVELOPMENT OF ASAFO MARKET INTO MODERN MARKET.
CLIENT: KUMASI METROPOLITAN ASSEMBLY’
CONTRACT DURATION:6 MONTHS
SITE LOCATION: ASAFO MARKET
CONTRACTOR: GREAT NABIL COMPANY LTD

COMMENCEMENT: SUNDAY, 25TH FEBRUARY 2024

CONTRACTOR’S ADDRESS: GREAT NABIL COMPANY LTD.P.O.BOX KS 6262

When Mr. Samuel Pyne, the Mayor of KMA, was contacted on Thursday,1st February 2024, he confirmed the plans for the next phase of the ongoing redevelopment of the Asafo Market into a modern market to kick-start on Sunday 25th February, 2024.

He, therefore, admonished the occupants to strictly adhere to the directives to move to the temporary allocated shops.

Mr Samuel Pyne said all the necessary engagements with the occupants had been done.

According to him, per an engagement with the affected occupants, they were ready to move to temporary shops which had been provided by the contractor in the same market. He added that they would remain in the temporary allocated place until the completion of the 3rd Phase.

“I’m appealing for their fullest support to the contractor to enable him to complete the phase as scheduled. We’re redeveloping the market into a modern one for their own good devoid of fire outbreaks,” the mayor said.

He explained that because of the total number of traders or occupants in the market, the Assembly, in consultation with the contractor, decided to do the project in phases.

Mr Pyne said they also engaged the contractor on Monday, 29th January 2024 and advised him to work within the scheduled time without any delay.

“During our meeting with the contractor, he agreed to accommodate all original occupants of the stalls and not squatters in the completed phases within the market,” he added.

 

Asaase News sources close to the government have confirmed that cabinet, at a meeting held on Friday 2 February 2024, has unanimously agreed to drop the previously approved policy of charging 15% value added tax (VAT) on electricity.

This means that power consumers will no longer be required to pay the controversial 15% VAT on top of their bills.

The government has also agreed to initiate a conversation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to come to a consensus on how it can make up for the revenue shortfall occasioned by the decision to drop the VAT on electricity policy through additional spending cuts.

What is clear is that even though the proposal to charge 15% VAT on electricity was previously approved by cabinet, and also by Parliament, the reaction of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and others to the proposed policy has led to a serious rethink and the decision to reverse it.

As to what the final decision on the policy will be, as in if it is to be completely scrapped, Asaase News sources familiar with the cabinet decision said that this will become clearer after engagements with the IMF.

“The position currently is that the 15% VAT on electricity is off, and it is likely it could either be off totally or significantly slashed,” the Asaase News sources said, on condition of anonymity

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid041pSA2UuANjZGVUbxQHG9BXryg4ceCjZbQGAUuZrbWQ5SCjhx2itLY2vmxW6zbZzl&id=100004933361726&mibextid=9R9pXO

Source: tntnewspapergh.com

According to various news websites, the Member of Parliament and Minister of Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye claims that, “he will choose Akufo-Addo over Kufuor as the best President the NPP has ever produced”.

It is very unfortunate for Asenso-Boakye to make such a loose assumption, assessment, and statement. In the first place, available Data and facts do not support this childish comparison between Former President Kufuor and President Akufo-Addo.

Asenso-Boakye is entitled to his opinion and preferences, but for him to state that President Akufo-Addo is the best President the NPP has ever produced is completely gibberish and balderdash.

First and foremost, let me educate Asenso-Boakye about these facts:

1. Kufuor became President of the Republic of Ghana NOT based on the records of Nana Akufo-Addo. However, Nana Akufo-Addo became President of the Republic of Ghana largely based on the successful records of Kufuor’s government.

Ghanaians gave the mandate to President Akufo-Addo largely due to the excellent performance of Kufuor’s Government.

1. Under the 4th Republican Constitution, Kufuor’s Government set the pace for the growth and widely acceptability of NPP by the Ghanaian people.

2. John Agyekum Kufuor took NPP’s 30.29% Presidential votes in 1992 coupled with Zero(0) Seats in Parliament to 39.60% Presidential votes and 63 Parliamentary Seats in 1996.

In the 2000 elections, Kufuor increased NPP’s Presidential votes to 48% during first round of voting and subsequently 56.90% in the run-off, winning 134 Constituencies out of the total 200 Constituencies,an unprecedented record yet to be achieved by any Presidential Candidate in Ghana.

Kufuor also won 99 majority Parliamentary Seats for NPP for the first time since 1992. NDC had 92 Parliamentary Seats in 2000.

It took Former President Kufuor to end the 19 years of Political Dominance of PNDC/NDC in Ghana. It was this man Kufuor, who took the UP Tradition from 30 years in opposition to attain political power.

1. Kufuor again beat the NDC in the 2004 general election with 52.45% Presidential votes and 128 Parliamentary Seats.

The Parliamentary performance of NPP kept increasing under John Agyekum Kufuor.

1. President Akufo-Addo’s first experience in serving in Government as a Minister happened under the leadership of Former President Kufuor.

Moving away from the electoral records to performance of Government;

1. What was the rate of 1 dollar to the Cedi in 2008 under Kufuor, and what is the rate of the dollar to the Cedi in 2024 under Akufo-Addo?

You may argue with the impact of COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine War but you need to understand and appreciate the fact that, the impact of 2007-2008 Global Financial Crisis far far outweighs COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine War.

The 2007-2008 Global Financial Crisis(GFC) was the most severe worldwide economic crisis since the Great Depression.

1. How many taxes were imposed on Ghanaians in 2001 and 2008 under Kufuor and how many taxes have been imposed on Ghanaians under Akufo-Addo between just 2021 to 2024 including senseless VAT on electricity and Emission Tax? More than 22 taxes have been imposed by Ken Ofori-Atta on Ghanaians, which, if we not careful it will send the NPP into opposition on 7th December, 2024.

2. Was there a Debt Exchange Programme including DDEP in 2007-2008 under Kufuor in spite of the Global Financial Crisis?

Do you know how unpopular the NPP has become to Pensioners and bondholders because of the Government’s Domestic Debt Exchange Programme(DDEP)?

1. Through Kufuor’s Golden Age of Business, several Businesspersons and Entrepreneurs were Flourishing including but not limited to Ibrahim Mahama, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, Ernesto Taricone’s, Prince Kofi Amoabeng, Dr. Osei Kwame Despite, Dr. Ernest Ofori Sarpong, Dr. Kwame Kyei, Kwasi Oppong, Nana K. Gyasi, Kwabena Kesse and several others not mentioned here.

From 2017 until now, what has been the business situations for the Businesspersons and Entrepreneurs in Ghana under Akufo-Addo’s Government?

NPP was the darling boy of the business community under Kufuor but can we confidently say so under today’s NPP? How many Businesspersons and Entrepreneurs are Flourishing under Akufo-Addo’s Government?

1. What were the inflation trends from 2005 to 2008 and what has been the inflation trends from 2021 to 2024?

2. Recognizing the importance of Ashanti Votes, Kufuor gave 3 Interchanges to Ashanti Region including Asokwa, Asafo and Sofoline. How many Interchanges has Akufo-Addo’s Government provided for the people of Ashanti Region from 2017 to 2024?

3. If it about free SHS, Kufuor also gave Free Maternal Healthcare Delivery.

If I continue writing, it will hurt NPP the most so I will stop here. I would only advise Francis Asenso-Boakye to think before talking on sensitive comparison.

No doubt, President Akufo-Addo has done well in several sectors of the economy but raising him above Former President Kufuor is a no go area.

The New Patriotic Party will need both Former President Kufuor and President Akufo-Addo for Victory 2024. Therefore, the comparison by Francis Asenso-Boakye is completely gibberish and balderdash.

MTN has reiterated its commitment to Africa’s progress at the Africa Prosperity Dialogues, recently held at Peduase, in Accra, Ghana. The program, organised by the Africa Prosperity Network, was designed to drive Africa’s growth through high-level dialogues between government and business leaders from Africa and beyond to deliberate and exchange ideas on key issues and solutions for building and harnessing Africa’s growth.

 

Ebenezer Asante, MTN Group Senior Vice President, Markets, encouraged industry players as well as government officials from across Africa to support cross-border trade by putting an end to what he called the “tyranny of sovereignty”. He applauded the government of Ghana’s decision to facilitate visa-free travel for Africans and bemoaned the challenges Africans face in making cross-border payments and transactions.

 

He said, “The tyranny of sovereignty must end to allow proper trade and ease of doing business across West Africa. Technology continues to transform the way we trade, and we must leverage the immense opportunities it presents to trade within our borders. The tyranny of sovereignty is an impediment to progress because with our borders closed to each other, we cannot foster seamless trade. African countries must open their borders to each other to allow intercontinental trade.”

some scenes from the event

Nompilo Morafo, MTN Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer and Selorm Adadevoh, CEO of MTN Ghana, contributed to the conversation on “Critical Enablers for Single Market Success – Leveraging Infrastructure, Innovation, and Technology”.

 

Morafo underscored the significance of corporate entities engaging in discussions that propel Africa’s development. She expressed MTN’s enthusiasm for participating in initiatives like the Africa Prosperity Dialogues, which are vital for promoting digital and financial inclusion. Morafo added, “What we hope for is that at the end of these dialogues, we will see policies and frameworks enacted to bring to life the wonderful ideas we discuss at these sessions towards the overall growth of the African continent”.

 

Adadevoh, echoed her sentiment highlighting the advantages of harnessing the power of the youth to push Africa to the forefront of technology. He said, “It is not enough to invest in the infrastructure without investing in the skills needed. Africa has the largest youth population in the world. We must harness the power of the youth by transforming our current educational system towards a more digital framework.”

 

 

 

 

 

Participating in a discussion on ‘Scaling Up Mobile Interoperability to Deepen Financial Inclusion and Intra-African Trade,’ Eli Hini, CEO of MoMo PSB Limited Nigeria, highlighted the importance of involving Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in achieving interoperability across African countries. He shared,” Ease of participation is a crucial factor in the discussion of interoperability if we want to deepen financial inclusion and intra-Africa trade. If we are finally able to get the framework and structures that allow us to trade among ourselves, then we must take into consideration the ease of participation. SMEs, often grappling with challenges in cross-border trade, should be a focal point. It will be a waste of time to solve the issue of cross-border trade if SMEs cannot benefit from it. They must be well integrated into the system and given the access that they need to leverage the benefits of this agenda. We must be careful not to put up roadblocks that hinder their participation.”

 

MTN is inspired by Africa’s potential and remains committed to bridging the digital divide, furthering financial inclusion, and advancing the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through its core business activities and its support to governments, communities, and customers.

 

 

Media Contacts:

 

Adwoa Wiafe

Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer

Email: MTNGhana.MediaOffice@mtn.com

 

Georgina Asare Fiagbenu

Corporate Communications Senior Manager

Email: MTNGhana.MediaOffice@mtn.com

 

Selorm Adadevoh – Group Chief Commercial Officer, MTN has emphasized the need to empower the youth through education to drive technological transformation in Africa. He shared this on the second day of the 2024 African Prosperity Dialogue currently going on in Accra, Ghana.

 

Speaking in a panel discussion on “Critical Enablers for Single Market Success– Leveraging Infrastructure, Innovation, and Technology”, Mr. Adadevoh highlighted the advantages of harnessing the power of the youth to push Africa to the forefront of technology.

Selorm Adadevoh

He said, “Africa is lagging behind the rest of the world when it comes to technology. About 50% of the population does not have access to internet services. According to the World Bank, we will need about 1.7 trillion dollars to invest in infrastructure to catch up with the rest of the world in the next 10 to 15 years.”

He added, “transformation, I believe, begins with the mindset. The chain of influencing infrastructure transformation starts from what we are willing to do. One area we need to tackle to solve this issue is education. It is not enough to invest in the infrastructure without investing in the skills needed. Africa has the largest youth population in the world. We must harness the power of the youth by transforming our current educational system towards a more digital framework.” he added.

Mr. Adadevoh also explained the importance of creating markets within our markets in pushing Africa to the forefront of technology.He further added, “Until we start to create markets within our markets, this will not be economically viable. We must begin to rely on ourselves to find cheaper solutions to our problems. A lot of payment options around the world started on this continent but have been sold. This is because of the barriers in trade across African countries. There must be a collective effort to break these barriers and allow ease of transaction so that we can collaborate towards building the Africa we all wish to see.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Africa Prosperity Dialogues is a three-day event that has the overarching focus to propose concrete measures to drive Africa’s progress. Themed “Delivering Prosperity in Africa: Produce. Add Value. Trade”, the three-day high-level dialogue brought together government and business leaders from across Africa and beyond to deliberate and exchange ideas on key issues and solutions in building and harnessing Africa’s growth.

 

Media Contacts:

 

Adwoa Wiafe

Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer

Email: MTNGhana.MediaOffice@mtn.com

 

Georgina Asare Fiagbenu

Corporate Communications Senior Manager

Email: MTNGhana.MediaOffice@mtn.com