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Showing posts from September, 2025

MTN MoMo Unveils Business App Launch

Introduction to the MoMo Business App MobileMoney Limited, a subsidiary of MTN Ghana, has launched a new digital solution called the MoMo Business Application. This innovative app is designed to simplify financial management for merchants and support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) throughout the country. The app was introduced during the official opening of DigiFest 2025 at MTN House in Accra. Key Features of the MoMo Business App The MoMo Business App offers a range of features that make managing business finances more efficient and straightforward. These include: Accepting Payments: Merchants can accept payments effortlessly using QR codes. Tracking Transactions: Real-time tracking of transactions and revenue allows for better financial oversight. Creating Invoices: The app enables users to create and send invoices electronically. Financial Reports: Detailed financial reports and analytics are available to support informed decision-making. User-F...

Hong Kong's Dim Sum Bond Market Aims for Record Issuances

Hong Kong's Offshore Yuan Bond Market Set for Record Growth Hong Kong's offshore yuan bond market is on track to have a record-breaking year, driven by the participation of some of mainland China's largest technology firms. This development highlights the city's growing role as a major fundraising hub beyond traditional equity markets. One of the key players in this trend is Baidu, the Chinese search-engine giant. On September 9, Baidu announced plans to issue 4.5 billion yuan (US$618 million) in dim sum bonds, following a previous sale of 10 billion yuan in March. Other tech giants, including Meituan and Tencent Holdings, are also reportedly considering debt sales, marking a significant shift as they haven't made such moves in over four years. According to Bloomberg data, corporate issuers have raised a record US$46.2 billion so far this year. Deutsche Bank estimates that annual issuance in the dim sum market tripled between 2022 and 2024, reaching 1.4 trillion ...

Societe Generale Offers New Car in Deposit and Drive Promotion

Societe Generale Ghana Celebrates Successful Deposit and Drive Promotion Societe Generale Ghana recently held a grand draw for its exciting Deposit and Drive Promotion, marking the culmination of an engaging campaign that attracted numerous participants. The event saw one lucky winner take home a brand-new Toyota RAV4 Adventure, while two other winners received all-expense-paid trips to Singapore and Dubai. This momentous occasion was the highlight of months-long efforts by the bank to encourage savings and reward customer loyalty. The promotion included two mini draws in April and June, which generated excitement among customers and set the stage for the final grand draw. The event, held last week, showcased the success of the campaign and highlighted the bank’s commitment to fostering a culture of financial responsibility and trust with its clients. Managing Director Expresses Gratitude and Highlights Campaign Goals Mr. Hakim Ouzzani, the Managing Director of Societe Generale Gha...

Modernizing Operations with Technology – FCSC Chairman

Modernising Civil Service Operations with Technology Prof. Tunji Olaopa, Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), has emphasized the commission’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance its operations and reinforce merit-based processes. This initiative is part of a broader strategy aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and accountability within the civil service. During an interview with journalists on the sidelines of the commission’s Strategic Plan Stakeholders Validation Workshop in Abuja, Olaopa highlighted the importance of modernizing traditional practices. He explained that while merit was once applied through common sense, it now benefits from structured instruments, tools, and clear indicators. This shift ensures a more objective and fair approach to evaluating performance and qualifications. One of the key areas of focus for the FCSC is aligning the principle of federal character with merit. Olaopa noted that some states have lower cut-off po...

Culture Over Constitution: Rethinking Legitimacy

The Clash Between Legal Authority and Cultural Legitimacy When Ghana’s 1992 Constitution begins with “We the People…”, it presents itself as an authoritative document that is rarely questioned. But this raises a fundamental question: who gave the framers of our constitutions the right to make decisions on behalf of the people, especially regarding cultural and chieftaincy matters? Constitutions are legal instruments, created during specific political moments—whether under colonial rule, military governance, or elite negotiations. Their authority is rooted in law, but they often fail to reflect the deeper values and traditions that have shaped society for centuries. Culture and chieftaincy, however, predate any constitution that has ever existed in Ghana. Institutions such as the Asantehenne, Ya-Na, Ga Mantse, and other traditional leadership structures have long been central to the social fabric of the country. These institutions are based on ancestry, kinship, spirituality, and com...

Dialogue on Continental Free Movement Takes Place in Accra

Ghana Hosts National Dialogue to Advance AU Free Movement of Persons Protocol Ghana has taken a significant step forward in its efforts to accelerate the ratification of the African Union’s Free Movement of Persons (AU FMP) Protocol by organizing a two-day National Dialogue in Accra. This event brought together a wide range of stakeholders to deepen collaboration and strengthen regional momentum for the protocol’s implementation. The dialogue was organized by the Ministry of the Interior in partnership with the Coalition of CSOs in Migration, Ghana (CCMG), with additional support from the German Development Cooperation and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD). The goal was to foster a shared understanding of the importance of free movement and to identify strategies for overcoming challenges in the ratification process. Key Stakeholders Engage in Critical Discussions Participants included representatives from the African Union, the Ministry of the Inter...

Editorial: Superintendents' Vote-Buying Funds: Taxpayer Money Turns into Blind Cash

Expansion of Education Subsidies and Controversial Cash Distributions In recent years, several local education offices in South Korea have launched initiatives aimed at providing financial support to students. One such initiative is the Gyeonggi Office of Education’s project, which offers 300,000 Korean won to all third-year high school students in the province. This funding is intended for acquiring various licenses, including driver’s licenses. The annual budget allocated for this program amounts to 37.2 billion Korean won. Meanwhile, the Gwangju Office of Education has announced a similar plan that will provide vouchers worth between 670,000 and 970,000 Korean won per student. These vouchers can be used at bookstores and stationery shops and will be available to all middle and high school students starting next year. This year’s budget for the program is 41.4 billion Korean won, with an expected increase to 60 billion Korean won in the following year. As superintendent elections ...

EV House LTD Collaborates with Accra Tech Center to Shape Ghana's EV Talent Pipeline

Building a Skilled Workforce for Ghana’s Electric Future Ghana is taking a major step forward in cultivating a talent pipeline for electric vehicles (EVs) through an initiative led by EV House LTD. As part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts, the company recently organized an educational and hands-on training session at the Accra Technical Training Center (ATTC). The event brought together selected students, staff technicians, and academic leaders, including Mr. Arko Domotey, the Principal of ATTC. The highlight of the session was a presentation delivered by Mr. Edward Hightower, founder and CEO of EV House LTD. He provided participants with an in-depth understanding of the key systems that make up modern electric vehicles and how they differ from traditional petrol or diesel models. Using the Geely Geome Panda Mini, which is currently the most accessible EV in Ghana, as a practical teaching tool, Mr. Hightower guided students through the vehicle's structure and ...

International Business and Tech Conference Kicks Off

International Conference on Business and Technology 2025 Kicks Off in Dhaka A major international event, the International Conference on Business and Technology (ICBT) 2025, commenced on Saturday at the University of Asia Pacific (UAP) campus. The conference is a collaborative effort between UAP, the Faculty of Business Studies at Dhaka University, and the OTH Amberg-Weiden university from Germany. Organized under the theme "Business-Technology Nexus for Achieving Sustainable Development," the two-day event will conclude on Sunday, with discussions centered around how the integration of business and technology can address pressing global challenges. Over 250 participants from various countries have gathered to engage in this academic exchange, where more than 100 research papers will be presented. The agenda includes a range of activities such as keynote speeches, interactive sessions, and panel discussions. These sessions aim to foster dialogue among experts, researchers, ...

Fake bulk orders hit Singapore restaurants and service providers

Rise in Fraudulent Bulk Orders Targeting Businesses in Singapore Several businesses in Singapore have recently fallen victim to a growing scam involving fake bulk orders, with fraudsters impersonating military personnel. These incidents have raised concerns among local entrepreneurs, who are now more cautious about verifying the legitimacy of large orders. Sedap Restaurant: A Case of Deception One of the affected businesses is Sedap, a restaurant in Novena known for its Malaysian dish nasi lemak. On September 8, an individual claiming to be "Luke Wong" from Bedok Army Camp contacted the restaurant and placed an order for 150 portions of nasi lemak along with 150 water bottles. The total value of the order was SGD1,600 (US$1,248.06) after a discount. The owner, Chee Hang Joon, explained that he offered the discount because he believed the customer was from the army and wanted to build a good relationship. Wong appeared to be a young and earnest person, making the request s...

ICT4Ag: Powering Agricultural Revolution

The Role of ICT4Ag in Transforming Ghana's Agriculture Agriculture is a vital pillar of Ghana’s economy, employing around 35–39% of the population and contributing more than 20% to the national GDP. Crops such as cocoa, maize, rice, poultry, and horticultural products sustain millions of households, particularly in rural areas. Despite its significance, the sector faces persistent challenges including limited access to finance, unreliable distribution of inputs, weak extension services, an aging farmer population, fragmented markets, and increasing vulnerability to climate change. For years, efforts to address these issues have relied on subsidies, donor-funded projects, and state-led mechanization schemes. While beneficial, these approaches have often been inconsistent and short-lived. The emergence of Information and Communication Technology for Agriculture (ICT4Ag) presents a promising alternative. By leveraging mobile phones, digital platforms, data-driven services, and innov...

Entrepreneurs: Catalysts of Economic Change – Nana Oye Bampoe

Government Focuses on Entrepreneurs for Economic Growth The government has positioned entrepreneurs at the center of its economic transformation strategy, emphasizing new policy reforms, targeted financial support, and export assistance to foster growth. This was highlighted by Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, Deputy Chief of Staff – Administration, during the National Kaizen Awards. She outlined the government's approach, which includes reducing the tax burden on businesses, increasing access to affordable financing, and enhancing support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Her vision is one where government and entrepreneurs collaborate to achieve prosperity for all citizens. As part of these efforts, the government has committed GH₡500 million in credit from Development Bank Ghana for agribusinesses and secured a US$100 million investment to create Africa’s first AI-powered agricultural hub. These initiatives were made possible through President Mahama’s recent visits to Japa...

COCOBOD Targets Japanese Chocolate Producers

Ghana's Strategic Move to Strengthen Its Presence in Japan’s Chocolate Market Ghana is actively working to solidify its position in Japan’s chocolate market, with the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) engaging in discussions with leading confectionery companies in the country. These talks aim to enhance trade and cooperation between Ghana and Japanese firms, focusing on long-term supply commitments and collaborative efforts to address challenges within the cocoa sector. At an industry expo in Japan, COCOBOD Chief Executive Dr. Ransford Abbey met with executives from major chocolate manufacturers, including Glico and Itochu. The discussions centered around securing stable cocoa supplies and developing joint programs to tackle issues affecting the Ghanaian cocoa industry. Given that Japan sources nearly 70% of its cocoa imports from Ghana, the country plays a crucial role in the Japanese market. Dr. Abbey emphasized Ghana’s commitment to maintaining consistent cocoa supplies despite ong...