Business24 Newspaper 9th February, 2022

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WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2022

BUSINESS24.COM.GH

Wednesday February 9, 2022

NO. B24 / 303 | News for Business Leaders

Government questions Moody's downgrade

Take advantage of booming agric sector: Minister urges investors See page 5

See page 12

Appiatse explosion: Maxam agrees to pay US$6m fine to government

By Benson Afful affulbenson@gmail.com

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axam Ghana Limited has agreed to pay the US$1 million fine imposed on the company, as well as comply with other measures taken by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources in relation to the explosion at Appiatse in the Western Region.

The company has also agreed to pay the additional US$5 million cost imposed on it by the minister to bring the total money to be paid to the government to US$6 million.

The company in a statement shortly after the Minister for Cont’d on page 2

Drone footage shows devastation after huge explosion at Appiatse in the Western Region.

Gov’t committed to dualizing trunk roads by 2024 -Roads Min

By Eugene Davis

Non-compliant data handling entities face prosecution

By Patrick Paintsil p_paintsil@hotmail.com

ugendavis@gmail.com

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he Minister of Roads and Transport, Kwasi AmoakoAttah, has confirmed that government plans to complete the dualisation of the Accra-Kumasi highway in its second term.

he Data Protection C o m m i s s i o n (DPC) says it has compiled a list of noncompliant data controllers operating in the country

Cont’d on page 3

Cont’d on page 3

Cont’d on page 2 Cont’d on page 2

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Editorial / News

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2022

Editorial

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Tightening data protection amid aggressive digitalization

he march towards a digitized nation is fast progressing with the wind of digitalization blowing across every facet of the economy.

E-commerce and online-based transactions have become the order of the day.

The use of digital platforms exposes everyone to the risk of phishing, scam, identity theft and the exploitation of personal data for commercial gains, prompting the need for handlers of such peoples’ data to ensure that there is adequate protection and privacy in the use of that data for business purposes.

It is for this reason that the Data Protection Commission has taken the bold step of

prosecuting businesses that work with bulk data without the required certification from the commission and in contrast with its rules and dictates.

According to the commission, the legal action is part of efforts to get organisations to prioritise data protection and to respect the privacy of peoples’ data in accordance with the requirements and prescriptions of the state data protection supervisory body.

The Data Protection Commission (DPC) is a statutory body established under the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843) to protect the privacy of the individual and personal data by regulating the processing

of personal data, choices of technologies and integrity of people with access to personal data.

The Commission provides for the process to obtain, hold, use, or disclose personal information and for other related issues bordering on the protection of personal data.

We commend them for this plausible intervention which will go a long way to sanitize the data market to among others, build public confidence in the use of their personal data amid ongoing efforts to digitize the economy.

Ultimately, this action will play a critical role in building trust to foster the digital transformation agenda of government.

Appiatse explosion: Maxam agrees to pay US$6m fine to government Continued from cover

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Land and Natural Resources, Abu Jinapor, communicated the imposition of the fine to the public, Maxam said, "although the breaches found by the minister did not cause the incident, the company had decided to pay the fine and comply with the measures imposed by the Minister."

The fine followed an explosion, which occurred on Thursday, January 20, 2022, when a truck carrying explosives from Maxam’s Iduapriem plant in Tarkwa to Chirano Gold Mines Limited, was involved in an incident, leading

to the death of 13 people and the destruction of the entire Appiatse community in the Prestea Huni Valley municipality.

In a six-page press statement issued on Tuesday, February 8, 2022 to update the public on the incident, Mr Jinapor said after reviewing two reports of the incident submitted by the Minerals Commission and a three-member committee, he constituted to conduct independent investigations into the matter, the Ministry established some regulatory breaches on the part of Maxam in respect of the manufacture, storage and transportation of

explosives.

It further stated that although the regulatory breaches attract fines ranging between GH¢600 and US$10,000, the Minster imposed the US$1,000,000 fine due to “the totality of the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.”

In addition to the fine, Maxam has also agreed with the government to pay an additional amount of US$5,000,000 bringing the total amount payable

by Maxam to US$6,000,000.

The statement lists a set of ten conditions to be complied with by Maxam before the restoration of their license to operate.

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News

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2022

Gov’t committed to dualizing trunk roads by 2024 -Roads Min Continued from cover Government last year opened the Kwafokrom–Apedwa section of the Accra-Kumasi Highway to improve traffic flow on the corridor during the Christmas festivities, however sections of the road has been closed again for work to continue.

His comments follow a statement by the Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh on a road accident at his constituency involving a trailer truck which run into sections of unsuspecting road users, including pedestrians.

Contributing to a statement on the Nsawam accident at parliament house on Tuesday, the minister said: “It is the policy of government to complete the dualization of Accra -Kumasi highway within the second term” The minister stated that despite efforts to improve road infrastructure, “it is unfortunate that Ghana as a country regularly experience road crashes” and adds there are six major trunk

roads earmarked for dualization in government’s second term.

He further cautioned motorists to desist from speeding on major roads in the country and reiterated that the government was trying every means possible to dualise all trunk roads by 2024.

The interventions, he said, would make the roads safer and

significantly reduce crashes and carnage.

Currently, he said, contractors were also working on the AccraKumasi, Tema-Aflao, TemaAkosombo and the Accra-Cape Coast roads.

Since 2017, about 1,445km of asphalt overlay works have been completed, with 243km

done in 2021. According to the budget statement, this year, the government has planned to complete 25,000km, 16,000km and 3,500km of routine maintenance activities (grading, pothole patching, shoulder maintenance, vegetation control) on the trunk, feeder and urban road networks.

Non-compliant data handling entities face prosecution Continued from cover to be forwarded to the Attorney General’s department for onward prosecution.

This follows the refusal of the affected businesses to register with the Commission as mandated by Section 46(3) of the Data Protection Act 2021 (Act 843).

“Last month, during the global data protection week celebration,

we announced our intention to prosecute data controllers that are not in good standing with the requirements of the commission, including the implementation of the internal privacy programme which requires the training of a data officer if applicable.

The list of entities that are defaulting from these responsibilities have been compiled for the necessary legal action to be taken on

them,” said Ms. Patricia AduseiPoku, Executive Director of the Commission.

According to her, the legal action is part of efforts to get organisations to prioritise data protection and to respect the privacy of peoples’ data in accordance with the requirements and prescriptions of the state data protection supervisory body.

“Riding on the back of all past

and recent avenues created for data controllers and data subjects to engage with the commission on their queries, challenges and/ or concerns, the Commission has moved to the next level to instigate legal proceedings against defaulters,” she added.

Commission further urged data handling organisations to register with the Commission, train an employee to become a Certified Data Protection Supervisor (CDPS) and implement an inhouse privacy programme.

The Data Protection Commission (DPC) is a statutory body established under the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843) to protect the privacy of the individual and personal data by regulating the processing of personal data, choices of technologies and integrity of people with access to personal data.

The Commission provides for the process to obtain, hold, use, or disclose personal information and for other related issues bordering on the protection of personal data.

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WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2022

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News

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2022

Take advantage of booming agric sector: Minister urges investors

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he Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has reiterated the need for investors to take advantage of the opportunities in the country’s agricultural sector.

He said the country’s agricultural sector, over the past five years, had undergone transformation as a result of the rollout of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) initiative under the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Addressing potential investors at a breakfast meeting organised by the Tony Blair Institute of Ghana (TBIG) last Thursday, the minister said the huge investments in the sector had yielded results, stressing that Ghana had become the food basket for the West African sub-region.

“Take soya bean, for example.

Before 2017, we were producing less than 100,000 tonnes, but today, we are producing more than a quarter of a million tonnes. We have quadrupled our rice production, and we are net exporter of maize to neighbouring countries,” he said.

Dr Akoto said the success story of the flagship programme had attracted lots of interests from some governments in the sub-

region, citing, for instance, that Burkina Faso, Togo, Malawi, and Trinidad and Tobago had visited the country at different times to learn about the programme and to possibly replicate it in their respective countries.

The minister pointed out that despite the fact that the production capacities of some food crops such as maize, rice and soya bean had seen significant increases since the rollout of the various interventions under the PFJ programme, the country was still producing below capacity, hence the need for more investments.

Dr Akoto, therefore, emphasised the need for

investors, both domestic and foreign, to shift their focus to the agricultural sector and explore the opportunities available in the sector.

He said the agricultural sector had suffered serious investment deficit until the last five years when President Akufo-Addo revamped and turned the fortunes of the sector around.

The minister explained that hitherto, the agricultural sector was in the doldrums largely because of the failure on the part of the previous administration to pay the needed attention to it.

Dr Akoto stressed that “things are now different, and so agriculture, under the

current regime, has seen total transformation.

“Ghana’s agricultural sector now provides new areas of opportunities along the value chain for both foreign and domestic investors,” he added.

He said, for instance, that there were huge prospects in the poultry industry, as well as areas of marketing, packaging, branding and advertising for investors to explore.

The minister noted that his ministry had enjoyed a smooth collaboration with the Tony Blair Institute, and commended the former UK Prime Minister for providing the platform to interact with potential investors and captains of industries from across the country.

Mr Blair, for his part, extolled Ghana’s high international reputation, which, he said, distinguished the country among her peers, stressing that “it was always an honour to visit this country and to interact with its people”.

He, therefore, encouraged the government to continue to pursue the path of economic transformation through the use of technology and value addition, as well as to engage in the right dialogue between leadership and the populace.

Wikimedia Ghana to archive Ghana’s entertainment industry

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he Wikimedia Ghana User Group, an affiliate of the Wikimedia Foundation, is set to begin a second phase of its photo project to archive personalities within the Ghanaian entertainment industry whose

Wikipedia articles do not have photos.

The project which was launched in 2021 began its first phase by uploading photos of 275 Ghanaian legislators and the Speaker of Parliament, Alban

Sumana Kingsford Bagbin.

This was achieved through the collaborative effort of the Head of Public Relations for the Parliament of Ghana, Mrs Kate Addo.

“We want to thank Mrs Kate

Addo, the Head of Public Relations for the Parliament of Ghana, for being so helpful in making sure we work together. She helped us get all 275 members and the Speaker of parliament’s photos donated to Wikimedia Commons to be used on their respective Wikipedia articles,” it stated in a letter.

The second phase of the project will focus on the entertainment industry by highlighting “musicians, actors & actresses, artists and other notable Ghanaians in the media and entertainment sector with Wikipedia articles,” it said explaining that “these people will have their photos taken by our team and the images uploaded to Wikimedia Commons”.

The group, established 7 years ago, seeks to “promote Wikipedia and its sister wikis in Ghana”; through recruiting, training and engaging Wikipedians.”

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WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2022

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News

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2022

President tasks AU to reform global financial structure

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resident Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called on member states of the African Union (AU) to work collectively to reform the global financial architecture, build and strengthen the union’s financial institutions.

He said a collective effort by the union was key to transforming the size and state of the African economy, as it would greatly help in resources mobilisation on the continent.

President Akufo-Addo made the call yesterday at the 35th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, scheduled for February 5 and 6, this year.

Delivering a report as the champion of the African Union Financial Institutions (AUFIs), the President said enhanced resources mobilisation on the continent would provide the necessary impetus for growth, job creation and economic revitalisation.

AU Financial Institutions President Akufo-Addo said although there was an ongoing process to establish four financial institutions (AUFIs) — the African Central Bank (ACB), the African Investment Bank (AIB), the African Monetary Fund (AMF) and the Pan-African Stock Exchange (PASE), the process had not been as smooth as had been anticipated.

According to him, none of the AUFIs had reached the minimum number of ratifications required for the enabling legal instruments to enter into force and thereby facilitate their substantive establishment.

“Regrettably, the major challenges towards the establishment of the AUFIs include the slow rate of signature and ratification of the legal instruments and the limited capacity of member states to finance their establishment,” he said.

That, he explained, was detrimental to the operationalisation of the African Monetary Institute, which was the first step towards the establishment of the African Central Bank.

President Akufo-Addo, who is also the Chairman of the Authority of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), presented a number of recommendations to the AU Assembly for its adoption and endorsement, which, he said, “will be critical towards the establishment of the AUFIs”.

“They have been captured in the Draft Assembly Decision that will be submitted to Your Excellencies for consideration and adoption,” he informed the meeting.

On the matter of special drawing right (SDR) re-allocation

within the context of optimising its impact on Africa, the President recounted that in Paris last May, world leaders had made a commitment to allocate the historic SDR 650 billion issuance to International Monetary Fund (IMF) member states, with Africa’s quota allocation of five per cent or SDR 33.3 billion.

“We value this commitment to additional resources, of which our continent is in dire need.

It is unfortunate, however, that the only proposal that has been put on the table by the European countries so far is to re-channel these SDRs through only one institution, the IMF,” he said.

“The IMF should not be the sole beneficiary of such rechanneling.

We believe that our own continental institutions, such as the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Afreximbank, should be recipients of the recycling of these SDRs. “Our finance ministers and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) have advocated the use of regional development agencies to be included in this rechannelling,” he stressed.

President Akufo-Addo further told the assembly that African finance ministers, with UNECA, had consistently championed the allocation of SDRs to capitalise the AfDB and the AfreximBank, help establish an African stability

mechanism and initiate a liquidity support facility (LSF).

“We need to guard against the continuing consequential stranglehold of the rating agencies, which has affected the cost of and access to capital markets for African countries and has, during this COVID-19 period, resulted in the downgrading of many African countries, exacerbating even more their funding challenges,” he said.

He, thus, stressed the need for the AU Assembly to urge G20 leaders to stick to their commitment to reallocate to Africa the SDR equivalent of $100 billion agreed to at the Paris Summit in May 2021.

Advocate for AUFIs As the Champion of AUFIs, President Akufo-Addo, at a workshop for AU Ministers of Finance and Central Bank Governors on November 3, 2021, stressed the need for support and expedited action on the setting up of the AUFIs. He said aside from the benefits the AUFIs would give the union, the institutions “are also preconditions for the effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement and for achieving Agenda 2063: ‘The Africa We Want’”.

Knowledge Innovations, Ghana Fintech and Payments Association to host webinar on FinTech Innovations in Africa

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nowledge Innovations, a leading tech consultancy firm in collaboration with the Ghana Fintech and Payments Association will on February 24, 2022, hold a webinar session on how FinTech are overcoming some key challenges and exciting predictions for the future.

The event, which will be held on the theme: “FinTech Innovations in Africa – Trends, Challenges and Future” will bring together key industry players in the FinTech sector to deliberate on key geographical market developments, key innovations, collaborations, major drivers, and growth trends.

Exceptional leaders in the African fledgling industry would speak at this landmark event providing rare insights into emerging trends in Africa’s Fintech ecosystem.

Billed to speak at the event include Noha Shaker, Founder of

the Egyptian Fintech Association; Saqib Nazir, the Managing Director, Africa for Emergent Technology; Ali Hussein, Fintech and Digital Transformation Expert; Kwami Ahiabenu, II, Tech Innovations Expert; Martin Kwame Awagah, President of the Ghana Fintech and Payments Association; and Segun Adeyemi, Co-founder and CEO of Anchor.

The global financial technology (Fintech) market is growing rapidly and expected to reach a market valuation of approximately $324 billion by 2026, growing at a compound annual rate of about 23.41% over the forecast period 2021-2026.

The Fintech space in Africa is mirroring this global trend and growing at extraordinary rates, with several exciting innovations, especially within the digital payment space, driven by mobile money accounting for some of this growth.

The event would be attended by a broad spectrum of FinTech companies and professionals worldwide; registration is

available for free via https://www. knowledgeinnovations.com/ fintechafrica/

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News

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2022

Ghana To Introduce Chip Embedded Passport- Ayorkor Botchway

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he Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has announced that its taking steps to introduce the Chip Embedded Passports this year.

This new system, according to the ministry is to enhance the security features of the current passport system.

Sector minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchway made this disclosure at a media briefing in Accra on Monday.

The ministry, she said, has also established 13 Passport Application Centres across the country to ease congestion, especially in Accra, Tamale and Kumasi.

Meanwhile, the ministry says it currently does not have the 38page passport booklet in stock.

It explained that this is due to supply chain constraints globally as a result of COVID19 pandemic.

However, efforts are in place to ensure these are received soonest.

Social protection is key to COVID-19 recovery, FAO says

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ocial protection schemes have played a key role in helping the world’s poor recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and should be expanded, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, told the 60th Session of the United Nations Commission for Social Development in New York.

Even before the pandemic broke out, the world was not on track to meet its commitment to end hunger and malnutrition by 2030. Since the first reported case of COVID-19 two years ago,

progress in reducing poverty has slid back, while hunger has increased quickly across all regions. There are currently around 3 billion people who cannot afford a healthy diet, and FAO estimates that an additional 1 billion people would join their ranks if a shock were to reduce their incomes by one-third.

Experience from more than 200 countries has shown that countries with strong social protection systems were better able to respond to the burgeoning demands for immediate assistance.

Examples of social protection

schemes that have worked include cash transfers, school and child feeding programmes, the sale of basic food baskets at discounted prices, as well as tax and debt relief for vulnerable businesses and households.

“We must recognize, share, scale up and build on these successful measures,” Qu said.

The Director-General also called for measures specifically targeting agrifood systems, which are central to the livelihoods of 4.5 billion people, and for people living in rural areas in particular, where more than 80 percent of the world’s extreme poor people

live.

These include the creation of off-farm jobs, the promotion of entrepreneurship and economic diversification, as well as investments in human capital and rural infrastructure to increase the productivity of small-scale producers.

“Rebuilding from the pandemic will require increased and targeted investments in rural development. For this, it is critical that our agrifood systems should be transformed to be more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient, and more sustainable,” Qu said.

Convening annually in New York, the Commission for Social Development is the key United Nations body in charge of the follow up and implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and Programme of Action, which was agreed in 1995 to establish a new consensus to place people at the centre of sustainable development.

The main theme of this year’s meeting is “Inclusive and resilient recovery from COVID-19 for sustainable livelihoods, well-being and dignity for all: eradicating poverty and hunger in all its forms and dimensions to achieve the 2030 Agenda.”

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Comment/Analysis

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2022

The E-levy and a basic principle of consumption taxation

By J. Atsu Amegashie

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he deputy majority leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has disclosed that the finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, will withdraw the controversial electronic transactions levy (E-levy) from Parliament and reintroduce it at a later date.

Like a consumption tax, the E-levy will be imposed on the value of transactions. A basic principle of consumption taxation is that the tax must be imposed on the value of goods and services to consumers. If I spend 1000 cedis at a restaurant, this amount is the value of the food/drinks to me. Therefore, a consumption tax (e.g., VAT) may be imposed on the 1000 cedis worth of consumption.

If I pay the 1000 cedis via momo (i.e., electronic payment), I consume two distinct services/ goods: (a) the food and drinks, and (b) the convenience of paying by momo (call it "electronic payment service"). The value of the electronic payment service to me is not 1000 cedis (or the value of the food/drinks). The value of the electronic payment service to me is the price I am willing to pay for using it, just as the value of the foods/drinks (to me) is the price I paid for them.

Thus, the value of the electronic payment service (momo) is the transaction fee (price) charged by the telcos (i.e., MTN, Vodafone, etc) and it is this fee that may attract a consumption tax. This is why a consumption tax (like VAT) on financial services is typically restricted to explicit fee-based financial services. It is imposed on fees.

Suppose the telco's transaction fee is 1%. Then the value of the electronic payment service to me is 1% of 1000 cedis = 10 cedis. If the electronic payment service is not a VAT-exempt or zero-rated service, then VAT should be imposed on 10 cedis (not on 1000 cedis).

At a rate of 18.5% (VAT, NHIL, GetFund, and Covid-19 levy), the electronic payment service tax (the e-VAT) as a percentage of the value of the food/drinks is 0.185*10/1000 = 0.185%. Call this the effective electronic payment service tax. According to a paper

by Dr Abdallah Ali-Nakyea, a tax expert, the E-levy rates in Tanzania and Cameroon are 0.1% and 0.2% respectively.

Even if Ghana's VAT rate was so high that the effective electronic payment service tax was close to the 1.75% E-levy on the total value of transactions, this would not be a justification for the E-levy.

Principles and processes matter.

If the telcos were to reduce or increase their transaction fee, the effective electronic payment service tax will change. The E-levy does not respond to changes in the transaction fees of the telcos.

For example, Vodafone has no transaction fees for momo.

So, going by this consumption taxation principle, using Vodafone's momo service should not attract an electronic payment service tax. However, for the purpose of collecting the E-levy, the government may use the fees by other telcos as a benchmark for Vodafone's customers.

On the grounds of equity and their importance to life or economic activities, certain goods and services are exempted from VAT. In Ghana, examples

are agricultural food items in raw state; all live animals and animal products in raw state; agricultural chemicals, fishing equipment; locally produced pharmaceuticals; medical services and supplies; educational services and supplies, etc. The E-levy will be imposed on these VAT-exempt goods and services.

Once you pay for these VATexempt goods and services with momo, the E-levy will be imposed on the total value of the transaction. This defeats the purpose of making such goods/ services VAT-exempt or zerorated goods/services.

The E-levy will be imposed on pure transfers (e.g., transfers to one's relatives, friends, etc).

This is not acceptable. Gifts (a transfer) are taxed. But a gift tax has a narrow focus. It is not a tax on the use of a pervasive mechanism (momo in this case) that facilitates the flow of money in an economy. If a gift tax had far-reaching effects like the E-levy tax and was enforced, people would be so upset. Imagine that a government imposes a tax on all gifts during Christmas holidays, Valentine's day, all birthday celebrations, weddings, funerals, etc.

The E-levy, as structured, violates the basic principle of consumption taxation explained above. It is not imposed on the value of the electronic payment service but on the value of the transaction that is facilitated by the electronic payment service.

The values of all transfers or all payments via momo are being incorrectly treated as income or consumption. Of course, there is also the issue of whether an

economy that wants to reduce the use of cash and promote digitization should tax electronic payment services. It is not surprising the value of momo transactions decreased by 3 billion cedis in December 2021.

Ideally, there should be no tax on momo; no E-levy! On the grounds of equity and its importance in facilitating economic activities, momo should be treated as a service in the same category as the aforementioned VAT-exempt or zero-rated goods and services.

But if Nana Addo's cash-strapped government is bent on imposing a tax on momo, then it should modify the E-levy as follows: 1.

Whenever possible (if it can be determined), transfers should not attract the E-levy.

2. Payments for VAT-exempt or zero-rated goods and services should not attract the E-levy.

3. For goods that are not VAT-exempt or not zero-rated, the consumer pays between 17.5% to 19.5% VAT (depending on whether the good or service attracts the covid-19 levy and/or tourism levy). The E-levy should be imposed at a lower rate.

4. The E-levy should be imposed on the transaction fees (charged by the telcos), not on the value of transactions.

If the government is unwilling to follow the first three suggestions, it should at least follow the basic principle of consumption taxation in #4. There are principles of taxation. It cannot be "anything goes". Otherwise, a government might as well tax the air that we breathe.

The writer is a professor in Economics

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News

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2022

Ghana’s ratings score maintained at ‘B’ negative, with stable outlook by S&P

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hana’s creditworthiness score has been maintained at ‘B’ negative and ‘B’ by ratings agency Standards and Poor’s Global Ratings (S&P).

According to S&P, the latest credit score is based on solid growth prospects for Ghana in the short to medium-term.

In addition, S&P in a statement issued on February 4, 2022, maintained Ghana’s outlook as stable with the view of government measures in the 2022 budget put in place to control its surging debt growth which is expected to yield results.

“Our ratings are supported by Ghana’s solid growth prospects – with real GDP growth projected to average close to five percent per year over 2022 to 2025 – as well as its relatively transparent and responsive political institutions and largely market-oriented economy.”

“Since 2005, per capita GDP in dollar terms has more than doubled, reaching a still low us$2,373 in 2021, with growth per person over the past 15 years averaging 3.5 percent.” S&P explained.

The agency further acknowledged, “Ghana is one of the most open economies in Africa, with exports equal to onethird of Gross Domestic Product” Adding that two of the largest sectors in the country were

mining and hydrocarbons which account for 70 percent of all exports.

“Because of Ghana’s relatively diversified commodity base of gold, oil, and cocoa, its terms of trade have remained fairly stable, with a 10-year average standard deviation of 3.4 percent. We expect these offsetting trends could continue over the medium

term,” it added.

Meanwhile, S&P however cautions that it would not hesitate to revise its current rating score in the next six to 12 months if the country’s economic situation should change.

Ghana’s latest ratings by S&P means its debt are classified as highly speculative in the eyes of global investors with regard to

long and short-term foreign and local currency sovereign.

Already, Fitch Ratings earlier in January this year downgraded Ghana’s score to ‘B’ negative from ‘B’ with a negative outlook.

This was recently followed by Moody’s Investors Services which downgraded Ghana’s score from ‘B’ to ‘Caa1’ with a stable outlook.

Kasapreko denies money laundering claims

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he management of the Kasapreko Company Limited has denied engaging in money laundering

activities that have led to financial loss to the state.

Media reports alleged that the alcoholic and non-alcoholic

beverages manufacturing and distributing company had been hauled to court in two separate suits over alleged economic and

financial crimes.

A press statement issued by management said it refuted the claim, adding that the company had never been involved in any money laundering operations.

“We have not been served any suit, neither are we aware of any suit against Kasapreko Company Limited for alleged money laundering,” the statement said.

It said the company had over the years been one of the most tax compliant firms in the country.

“As a matter of fact, in 2019 Kasapreko Company Limited was awarded the Best Indigenous Tax Compliant Company for 2018 by the Ghana Revenue Authority,” the statement said.

It added that the company was in talks with its lawyers for appropriate advice on the malicious media publication, stressing “we will do what is needful to protect our brand.”

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Education

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2022

Ibrahim Abdullah’s journey from Ashesi University to Microsoft Canada

Ibrahim (pictured centre) with fellow alumni Abdul-Razak and Constant. Both are his work colleagues at the Microsoft Office in Vancouver, Canada

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n a Mastercard Foundation blog post, Ibrahim Abdullah reflects on his experiences as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar, and how his time at Ashesi prepared him for a career with Microsoft in Canada.

--Dwen Hwe Kan, which means ‘think and look ahead’, is the motto of Mfantsipim School, the alma mater of Ibrahim Abdullah.

The motto has been the guiding light for his triumphs and wins in life. As one of Ghana’s best Senior High Schools, Ibrahim had been grateful for the chance to join the school. However, he nearly dropped out due to financial constraints.

“While in high school, my parents struggled to pay my schools fees until I was awarded the Mathematics, Science and Technology Scholarship by the Government of Ghana during my second year. Before the scholarship, I always felt the possibility of dropping out of school at some point due to financial difficulties. I also used to stay on campus a little longer at the end of the term and go round the academic site of the campus to look for discarded books to study. All of this made it clear to me that my parents were incapable of funding my university education, so my ultimate plan was to do well

academically to improve my chance of getting a scholarship for my tertiary education” shares Ibrahim.

After high school, Ibrahim took a gap year to work and make money to fund his tertiary education whilst at the same time exploring scholarship opportunities.

“I discovered Ashesi University and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at this time and so applied to the university," he explains. "On a visit to the school’s website, I read about student’s projects, available exchange programs and the high employment rate of Ashesi University graduates which were very impressive. I therefore did not hesitate to accept Ashesi University’s admission offer to study Computer Science as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar in 2014. In fact, I delayed accepting an offer from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology to study Petroleum Engineering waiting for Ashesi’s decision on my application.

Life as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at Ashesi University was not only intellectually stimulating but fun as well. One of my fondest memories as a Scholar was during the summer program after our first year in 2015. I really enjoyed the leadership

development sessions, trips to Kokrobite, Cape Coast Castle and Kakum National Park. Fast forward to 2018, I graduated from Ashesi with a Magna Cum Laude in Computer Science."

Ibrahim spent a year working with the Computer Science Department at Ashesi as a Teaching Assistant before joining Microsoft as a software engineer.

At Microsoft, he works with a team in Vancouver, Canada on test platforms/tools (test framework and systems) for Office developers.

"Vancouver is a typical cosmopolitan city and with the experience of my engagement with students from different part of Africa at Ashesi University, my transition has been quite easy," he says.

“The liberal arts education I received equipped me with the knowledge needed to kickstart my career at Microsoft," Ibrahim adds. "At Ashesi, I learnt more than software engineering but most importantly the ability to solve problems and think critically. In addition to that, the deliberate effort by the university to introduce students to social issues gives me a better understanding of the world beyond my 9-5 job. It is worth mentioning that The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Ashesi University contributed

immensely to the development of aforementioned abilities and effective communication."

With technological giants like Microsoft and Google establishing footprints and research/engineering offices in Africa, and the rise of remote work due to Covid-19 pandemic, Ibrahim believes there is more opportunity to empower local developers to build technologies on the continent.

“I also expect a substantial increase in the number of developers from the continent because it is easier now to access resources and acquire software development skills," he says. "Also, businesses and governmental organisations will continue to digitise most of their manual processes, and this more job opportunities in tech,” says Ibrahim.

“To current Scholars and recent graduates, resilience and grit is needed now more than ever. The world is now a global village, so do not limit yourself when it comes to choosing a career path. We must adopt lifelong learning to develop the needed skills for whatever paths we are interested in, to compete globally. Learning does not end with your first degree, and you must remember that lucky are those who are prepared for opportunities!”

12

News

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2022

Government questions Moody's downgrade

T

he government has questioned the international credit rating agency, Moody's, recent downgrade of Ghana from B3 to Caa1 with a stable outlook on the Long-Term Issuer and Senior unsecured bond ratings.

In an official statement, it explained that the forecast and projections had been flawed with the use of inaccurate balance of payments statistics, lack of supporting quantitative analysis or data on Environmental, Social and Governance Credentials.

It also complained about the "omission" of key material information such as the 2022 Budget expenditure control measures - 2022 upfront fiscal adjustments.

The Ministry of Finance also protested the appointment of a new primary credit analyst for Ghana, only four weeks to the release of credit ratings.

"The Committee’s refusal to consider deferring such a monumental rating action until the analyst had enough time to more fully understand both

the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the Ghana credit story," the statement indicated.

The Ministry noted that issues identified to warrant a downgrade had been addressed by the government with the announcement of fiscal consolidation measures, which were anchored on debt sustainability and a positive primary balance.

Moody’s in its decision to

downgrade Ghana mentioned the “increasingly difficult task government faces in addressing the intertwined liquidity and debt challenges, pandemic induced revenue underperformance, tight funding conditions on international markets, materially decreasing governance and institutional strength and inflexibilities in the government budget”.

The rating agency in giving

Ghana a stable outlook, however, highlighted attractive prospect over the medium term, which it said was based on balancing challenges " against the government’s pre-pandemic track record of relatively effective policy delivery and maintenance of a variety of funding sources".

The ministry explained, "We are at odds to understand Moody’s assertion of the deterioration of Ghana’s institutional strength given Ghana’s reputation as a beacon of democracy in Africa."

It, therefore, called for reforms in the conduct of rating agencies given their ownership structure and the ramifications that their actions have on countries, especially in Africa.

"Unfortunately, it is also worthy to note that on a regional basis, there is ample evidence that Sovereigns on the African continent, in particular, have suffered more adverse rating actions than any other continent since the pandemic, despite the fact that the impact of COVID has been relatively manageable in Africa", the statement read.

Amplifying black and diverse histories the focus of new Wikimedia Foundation collaboration with Global Artist

T

he Wikimedia Foundation, the global nonprofit that operates Wikipedia, announced the launch of Wiki Unseen, a collaboration with artists aimed at expanding the visual representation of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) in Wikimedia projects and advancing knowledge equity.

Launched today, the first iteration of the project, a collaboration with artists from Africa, North America, and the Caribbean, will help to address the visual and written underrepresentation of several Black historical figures on Wikipedia and in media repository Wikimedia Commons. In addition to global artists, the Foundation is collaborating with AfroCROWD. org, a Wikipedia-volunteer led initiative to create and improve information about Black culture and history on Wikipedia, as well as Bēhance, a social media platform that showcases creative work on the initiative.

Research shows that Wikipedia articles featuring illustrations increase audience engagement and views, creating an additional point of entry for visual learners and expanding understanding

of the information presented.

With this in mind, the Wikimedia Foundation and AfroCROWD. org worked together to select 20 Wikipedia articles of BIPOC historical figures without visual representation, further collaborating with Bēhance to source a list of artists from the United States, Africa, and the Caribbean to create portraits of each. This year, the artists will create portraits for six of 20 total historical figures.

The commissioned artists include Enam Bosokah from Ghana, Esther Griffith from Trinidad, and Bukhtawar Malikfrom the United States.

Among the first articles that will feature new illustrations are: Marian Ewurama Addy, William Greaves, Rose Dieng-Kuntz, May Miller, Mercedes Richards, and Asquith Xavier. These portraits will be published throughout the month of February; they include personalities whose images are not freely licensed and therefore unable to be added to Wikipedia articles.

“Wiki Unseen aims to make Black histories and those of other people underrepresented on Wikipedia more visible,” said

Anusha Alikhan, Vice President of Communications at the Wikimedia Foundation. “Closing knowledge equity gaps — including visual ones — is key to ensuring Wikimedia projects are accessible to everyone and represent the breadth of the world’s cultures, experiences, and languages. We know that our work is incomplete until the diversity of our world’s histories are seen.”

When BIPOC histories are told, too often they lack visual representation. Of the 30+ articles in the African Royaltycategory on English Wikipedia, for example, only three pages picture their subjects. Visual aids and illustrations help people understand and retain information; their absence reinforces and perpetuates biases.

“Participating in this project is part of what I have been wanting to do as an artist in Africa. Black Africans have been excluded from history and knowing that I can contribute towards making this wrong right is an honor.

Wiki Unseen has presented me with an opportunity to make a difference at a larger scale,” said Enam Bosokah “I hope more African artists will take heed of this call and contribute to the free

knowledge movement.”

Wikipedia is powered by a global community of volunteer contributors working to advance Wikimedia projects in support of a vision to ensure that people everywhere can share in the sum of all human knowledge. A central pillar of the Wikimedia Movement’s 2030 strategy is to break down the social, political, and technical barriers preventing people from accessing and contributing to free knowledge, focused on communities left out by structures of power and privilege.

Wiki Unseen builds on the previous efforts of Wikimedia volunteers including Les sans pagEs, a French Wikipedia initiative, and the #VisibleWikiWomen campaign by Whose Knowledge?, which ran similar projects to bridge gender gaps.

13

African Business

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2022

African Development Bank president begins three-day official visit to Tanzania

A

frican Development Bank Group President Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina began a three-day official visit to Tanzania on Monday. The visit signals strong ongoing support by the pan-African lender for transformative infrastructure in the country.

The Bank Group chief will meet with President Samia Suluhu Hassan and senior members of government. On Wednesday, Adesina will join President Hassan for the foundation stone laying ceremony for the 112.3 km Dodoma City Outer Ring Road cofinanced by the Bank.

Once a market town in central Tanzania and the country’s capital since 1996, Dodoma will now see the laying of groundwork for one of the largest road projects in the whole of East and Central Africa. The circular highway forms part of a masterplan to transform greater Dodoma into a thriving, sustainable city for its 2.4 million people. It is expected to shore up Dodoma’s reputation as an academic city and tourist destination.

The African Development Bank

Group is a major project funder.

Its Board approved funding for the Dodoma City Outer Ring Road project in 2019. The total project cost is $214.69 million. The Bank Group is financing 64% of this or $137.3 million. The government of Tanzania’s contribution is $34.5 million, while an additional $41.8 million comes from the Africa Growing Together Fund,

financed by the People’s Bank of China.

Meeting with international development partners on Monday, Adesina said: “Tanzania is making good strides in infrastructure development as it continues to construct roads linking to highways as in Dodoma and other parts of the country.”

The African Development

Bank’s Director General for East Africa, Nnenna Nwabufo, said: “Improving the lives of the people of Tanzania is our key mandate, and this visit reinforces the importance that the African Development Bank places on the country. The Bank remains a trusted partner of Tanzania.”

Overall, Adesina’s visit is expected to strengthen the already solid relationship between Tanzania and the Bank Group, reinforcing the country’s determination to become a middle-income economy.

Tanzania, a founding member of the African Development Bank, enjoys one of the largest Bank portfolios in the East Africa region. In January 2022, the Bank’s active portfolio consisted of 23 operations valued at $2.5 billion. Infrastructure accounts for 87% of the portfolio value, out of which transport covers 62%, followed by energy (16%), and water supply and sanitation (9%). Agriculture, finance, and multisector make up 13% of the portfolio. Sovereign operations totaled $2.32 billion.

As Covid-19 strains health budgets, African Development Bank and partners develop tool to enhance public-private collaboration

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he African Development Bank, the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa and their partners in the Harmonization for Health in Africa Initiative have published a study on public-private collaboration in the health sector.

The publication provides an assessment tool to assist countries and other interested development partners to identify related constraints and conduct constructive dialogue that enhances partnerships. Insights are offered from Burkina Faso, Malawi and South Africa, where

the assessment tool was tested.

Public-private collaboration in health is gaining considerable traction on the continent as health budgets of most African governments are not sufficient to meet the growing need for healthcare, further strained by the Covid-19 pandemic. Public-

private collaboration in health is essential to achieving universal health coverage and attaining the Sustainable Development Goals.

Therefore, it is vital to address the gaps that impede impactful collaboration. The Bank and its partners are determined to assist African countries to enhance such partnerships.

The publication acts as an accompaniment to the Bank’s Strategy for Quality Health Infrastructure in Africa 20212030, which seeks to boost access to health services across the continent by focusing on three categories: primary healthcare infrastructure for underserved populations; developing new secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities alongside specialist facilities; and building diagnostic infrastructure for efficient and effective disease diagnosis across Africa. To boost collaboration and increase private investment, the Bank will support its regional member countries through a combination of technical support and risksharing instruments.

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WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2022

15

Energy

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2022

A new energy for Africa of today and tomorrow

O

ne of the main challenges for the energy sector in the transition process to a low-carbon future is to ensure access to energy for all in an efficient and sustainable way. According to International Energy Agency (IEA) projections, in the coming years energy demand will continue to grow, particularly in emerging markets and developing economies due to the convergence of several factors, including population increase, increased urbanisation and infrastructure development.

The looming threat of climate change and the commitments made by national governments in the Paris Agreement require a strong push forward in the reconversion of industrial processes in specific sectors, such as transport and agriculture, promoting new technologies capable of generating clean energy and creating new job opportunities.

With this in mind, at the beginning of 2021, we launched a series of joint initiatives in various countries on the African continent to develop the supply chain for high-quality biofuels based on new circular economy

models. These biofuels are produced from raw materials that are not in direct competition with food and fodder crops, such as agricultural waste and residue and non-food crops (e.g. miscanthus and short rotation coppice).

The aim is to provide raw material for the Eni bio-refining system in Italy and for the conversion of refineries in Africa, through the creation of agrihubs for the local cultivation of feedstock that does not compete with the food chain, for example castor, and the processing of agricultural residue, such as that deriving from cotton, to replace palm oil in feeding bio-refineries.

Kenya is now the lead country in achieving the identified goals: thanks to the advanced development of its agricultural sector and the collection and refining of used cooking oil, it will be able to revolutionise its energy industry, making it efficient and sustainable.

Eni and IRENA for decarbonization in Africa The recent agreements signed with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) feature among the various initiatives

aimed at promoting the inclusion of renewable energy in the decarbonization pathways of the international agency's member states. The agreement in question provides for the integration of the African continent into the biofuel value chain, including through institutional capacity building, agribusiness and industrial development initiatives for the production of biofuels that will promote decarbonization of the transport sector.

Our commitment is also based on promoting the integration of the African continent into the biofuel value chain through agribusiness and industrial development initiatives, supporting the decarbonization of the transport sector and promoting development opportunities.

Claudio Descalzi, Chief Executive Officer of Eni The way forward for Kenya Located on the East coast of Africa, Kenya is one of the most advanced countries in Africa when it comes to its commitment to combatting the effects of climate change. It is a signatory to the Paris Agreement on climate change and intends to reduce its

emissions 32% by 2030, while also creating “a globally competitive and prosperous country with a high quality of life," according to its Vision 2030 plan. In December 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta met with our CEO Claudio Descalzi to discuss how we could contribute to the achievement of the country's environmental commitments, provide local communities with efficient and sustainable access to energy resources, while also reducing its reliance on fossil fuels, which Kenya imports. The meeting led to the government setting up a team ready to work with Eni on every aspect of this strong social impact project. In Kenya we are currently working on converting the Mombasa refinery into a bio-refinery, developing the first plant in Africa capable of producing biofuels. In its initial phase, the Mombasa biorefinery will produce around 250,000 tonnes of biofuel per year from vegetable oil and used cooking oil. The conversion of the refinery will reduce the commissioning time, as well as the costs associated with new construction, employing around 400 people.

16

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2022

17

News

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2022

ECA hosts its annual business forum in the context of the AU Summit

T

he Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) hosted along with its partners, the flagship initiative, the Africa Business Forum, on Monday on the margins of African Union summit in Addis Ababa.

Bringing together heads of state with CEOs and other stakeholders, the focus of the Forum this year was transport – a sector that is critical to maximising the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area. (AfCFTA).

AfCFTA came into force in 2019, to increase intra-African trade by eliminating import duties. Such trade would double if non-tariff barriers were also reduced. The ECA has found that one of those barriers is inadequate transport infrastructure and services.

A new study by the ECA found that: 1.

Implementation of the Free Trade Area would lead to an increase in demand for intraAfrican freight of around 28% by 2030, compared to a scenario without its implementation.

2. The share of rail services out of all modes of transport is expected to increase from 0.3% to 7%; thus representing a 20-fold increase in percentage terms.

3. Africa would require close to 2 million additional trucks, over 100,000 rail wagons, 250 aircraft, and more than 100 vessels by 2030, if the Free Trade Area is fully implemented; and 4. Aircraft demand to support trade flows within West Africa will increase by 13.2% by 2030. Trade between North and West Africa would increase demand for aircraft by 12.9% while demand within Southern Africa will increase by 12.2%.

The Executive Secretary of the ECA, Vera Songwe, said the ECA’s study showed that “Reaping the full benefits of the AfCFTA requires integrated planning of trade and transport.

And it demonstrates tremendous investment opportunities in the transport sector. Leaders are meeting to discuss this potential at the Africa Business Forum.”

The forum will also look in detail at air transport and tourism, which are both recovering from a financial crisis induced by the COVID-19 pandemic. It will examine opportunities thrown up by the pandemic such as an increase in intra-Africa trade, a

growth in domestic and regional tourism in some parts and the pivot to cargo transport when airlines were faced with passenger travel restrictions.

Private investors will be essential to supporting the development of air transport, especially in a context of limited public funding.

The fifth ABF is being organized on the margins of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government, under the theme “Investing in multimodal transport infrastructure to optimize the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area: a focus on air transport and tourism.”

In-person and online participants will have the opportunity to follow high level public-private sector debates on new market developments and opportunities which will enable the African transport sector to sustainably meet the new demand presented by the AfCFTA.

Chirano Mines offers full scholarship to 24 tertiary students

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hirano Gold Mines has offered full scholarships to 24 tertiary students under its General Manager’s Scholarship Scheme and the Chirano Sefwiman Foundation Scholarship Scheme.

These students will be the second batch to benefit from these two scholarship schemes, with 30 students benefitting from the first.

This brings to a total of 54, the number of students currently being fully funded at the tertiary level by the company, with the number expected to further increase in the coming years.

The General Manager’s Scholarship Scheme is an initiative of the Vice President and General Manager’s office to lend a hand to students from the Senior High School Level who might not be able to progress to the higher level because of the lack of financial support.

The Chirano Sefwiman Foundation Scholarship scheme on the other hand is one of the many projects of the Chirano Sefwiman Foundation inaugurated in 2020 with seed money of $2 million to spearhead development in the mine’s catchment area.

Speaking at a ceremony to award the scholarships to the students, the Vice President and General Manager of Chirano Mines, Mr Terence Watungwa,

said the company recognises education as a critical element in the advancement of its local communities.

Over the years, he said the company had provided educational infrastructure such as classrooms, ICT labs and teachers quarters.

“As I speak, I am proud to announce that Chirano will next week commission a new Junior High School Block for the community of Etwebo. We will also be handing over a new teacher’s quarters to the school basic we built at Aboduabo.

“We recognize that beyond providing infrastructure for the education of our young ones in the area, a time will come when they have to move to other places to further their education at the tertiary level. These scholarships are therefore meant to do provide support beyond the basic and secondary level to the underprivileged to ensure they are not left behind,” he stated.

Criteria Mr Watungwa noted that all the applicants were from and have attended basic school in one of its catchment communities.

“They are recent Senior High School graduates who excelled at the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination.

“The beneficiaries have gone

through a rigorous selection process to determine the financial status of their guardians and none of them is a dependent of an employee of Chirano Gold Mines,” he emphasised.

He said the company was confident that the selected students would make a positive impact on their communities after completion of their tertiary education.

Socio-economic devt For his part, the Board Chairman of the Chirano Sefwiman Foundation, Mr Dindiok Chialin, said there wouldn’t be any meaningful socio-economic development in the communities without quality education.

He said this was why the foundation dedicates 20 per cent of its funds to promote education through scholarship.

“Even though the foundation

was established less than two years ago, this is our second batch of scholarships. This shows the importance we place on Education.

“We are very grateful to Chirano for the vision and continuous funding of our activities through its contributions, administrative support and more importantly, for instituting and sustaining the GM’s scholarship which runs parallel with that of the foundation,” he stated.

The Board Chair noted that all the qualified students were STEM students which the foundation was excited about because it was in line with its objective to promote the study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

“We are equally pleased that females are very well represented in this years’ scholarship awards with eight of the 24 students being females,” he stated.

18

e-Commerce

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2022

All you need to know about online deliveries, return policies and refunds

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ver the past decade, Ghanaians have seen a massive shift in their shopping behaviours and patterns. With improvements in technology coupled with the impact of the internet, shopping today is not the same as it was some 10 years ago. E-commerce has taken a greater proportion of shopping these days and although it hasn’t completely replaced traditional shopping, the cost & time saving, convenience and safety of shopping online has won over more and more customers.

Today, nearly every Ghanaian adult buys their essential needs online. From large electronic appliances to groceries and other day-to-day needs, nearly almost everything can be found online. The great benefits of online shopping make it quite easy to overlook some of the shortcomings and challenges. The biggest of all these shortcomings are associated with returns and refunds. What was ordered versus what eventually got delivered has been a challenge that usually deters many Ghanaians from shopping online. After the items have been delivered, what if the size is different? What if I don’t like what got delivered? What if it got to me broken? What if I want to return it? How do I do it? How do I get a refund? These and many more are the questions on the lips of many online customers. Jumia, Africa’s leading e-commerce platform explains how refunds and returns work and all you need to know about them.

RETURNS: Sometimes, just sometimes you imagined an item will be one thing

only for you to receive the item and it’s the opposite. Size, colour, shape, design and all the other specifications are always stated on the website or app where you place the order. It is advised that you go through them carefully to be very sure before you place the order to avoid any uncomfortable situations. However, if the item you ordered is genuinely not what was delivered and you need to file for a return, here is how to do it. ● Log in and go to ORDERS. Then click on the order of the item(s) you wish to return ● Select the number of items you wish to return, the reason for the return and input more details to help the company identify the issue with the product ● Select your preferred refund method (Usually the same method through which you paid) ● Choose your ideal return process: You can either return the item yourself to one of the eligible drop-off stations or contact the delivery agent that delivered your item to pick it up. ● Check your information and submit your return request.

Sometimes, your refund is not processed or you find it difficult to return your item because you flouted some of the basic rules.

To avoid future incidents like this, here are a few things to note about returning your online order. ● You have up to 15 days for eligible items to make a return request after your order has been delivered. After 15days, you cannot return that item unless advertised otherwise through promos and campaigns. ● Place the item(s) in

their original packaging with all accessories, including any tags, labels or freebies. ● Once your returned item is received, it will be inspected and your refund will be processed within 10 business days depending on your selected refund payment option.

REMEMBER! Not all online orders can be returned.

If your item was ordered from the following categories, it cannot be returned: ● Underwears ● Health and beauty ● IP or TV subscriptions ● Food and supermarket ● Aside from these, there are some general pre-requisites for returning an online order.

1. The product and its package should be in a good state (not broken or spotted) 2. The product state should match your return reason. Your reason should be genuine and correspond with the return specifications which can be found on the website.

3. The preferred refund method and additional details must be provided along with the request.

4. Every returned order is checked by a team to ensure it meets all the requirements.

5. Call / Chat with any of the customer service representatives if anything else is not clear. All contact details are on the website and mobile app.

REFUNDS: One crucial component of online shopping and e-commerce is TRUST. This conversation

gets critical often when money is involved. Customers are often very concerned when they return their items and are waiting for their refunds.

However, not all returned items can be refunded and there are certain requirements to ensure a successful refund.

In the event that your return reason is verified and approved, customers are refunded as per their preferred refund method selected during the return process. This can be between 48hours of request or up to 10 working days after the request is processed. It may also be longer depending on the payment option selected by the customer. On the other hand, when the return is not approved, there is no refund and the item will be turned back to the customer.

If your return is rejected, JUMIA will contact you and provide you with the rejection reason along with the item's return shipment status. For the promo items note that you'll always be reimbursed for what you paid only. ie: If you ordered a promo product at GH¢200 while its original price was GH¢400, you'll be reimbursed the GH¢200 you paid.

In order to grant a higher level of transactions security, opening packages on the spot before payment is not authorized anymore. However, customers have the possibility to return their items in case they find any unexpected issue with them (for example in the unlikely case that it was the wrong item). If there is a problem, please follow the Return Policy and you will be supported.

19

News

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2022

Kobina Ansah is on the move to make stage plays more disability-friendly

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ntertainment in Ghana has often targeted able-bodied people. There is little or no inclusivity as far as the disabled is concerned.

This is one narrative playwright Kobina Ansah is changing with his stage plays.

In the playwright's last play, Emergency Wedding, there was a deaf interpreter to interprete the play to people with hearing impairment.

His team, in addition, freely admitted students from Mampong School of the Deaf, Ghana.

Kobina Ansah's classic romantic comedy, I WANT TO SUE GOD!, is going a step further to freely admit visually impaired students/ staff of Akropong School of the Blind, Ghana.

Speaking on how intentional and consistent he has been about including the disabled in entertainment, he said, "I could have been born blind or deaf. It is only a privilege to make life more enjoyable for those who were unfortunately born as such."

I WANT TO SUE GOD! shows on Satuurday, March 5th and Sunday, March 6th at National Theater at 3pm and 7pm on each day. More details on www. scribeproductions.com.

Source: Scribe News

PAC declines hearing on non-utilization of 30 new ambulances

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he Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament at its public sitting on Tuesday, declined a hearing on the non-utilization of 30 new ambulances, procured in 2016 by the Ministry of Health.

Mr. James Klutse Avedzi, Chairman of PAC, said the Committee was unable to examine the issue of the 30 ambulances procured in 2016 by the Ministry of Health for the National Ambulance Service because it was currently pending before the Court.

He stated this at the Committee’s sitting in Accra to scrutinize the Auditor-General’s Reports on the Public Accounts of Ghana on Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), for the year ending 2018.

The report indicated that some 30 ambulances procured in 2016 by the Ministry of Health for the National Ambulance Service had been left at the mercy of the weather at the Air Force Base, Burma Camp, Accra, which

attracted a monthly ground rent of GHS1,500.00.

- Advertisement Dr. Clement Apaak, Member of PAC/Member of Parliament for Builsa South, noted that the response before the Committee indicated that action proposed to have been taken was that currently, the issue was before the Court and that the National Ambulance Service had no oversight responsibility for the 30 ambulances.

Since the case was pending before the Court, the Chairman said: “We will not discuss the legal aspect of it because the issue is before Court.”

Mr. Avedzi, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ketu North, added that the Committee could not proceed with the matter because it was before the Court.

He said the Ministry of Health in response indicated that the 30 Mercedes Benz sprinter ambulances were part of the 200 to be procured, which were found not to conform to specifications

and that the issue was being handled by the Ministry of Health while the National Ambulance Service only provided the responsibility for safekeeping.

“We want to find out from the Ministry of Health if is it because the ambulances were not up to specifications that is why they were not being put to use? Mr.

Avedzi quizzed” According to the Ministry of Health’s representative at the Committee’s meeting, the ambulances were rejected because they were not ambulances in the real sense of it; the fittings that were supposed to accompany the vehicles were absent in the 30 ambulances when they arrived.

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Markets

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2022

WEEKLY MARKET REVIEW FOR WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 4, 2022

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WEEKLY MARKET REVIEW FOR WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 4, 2022

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BUSINESS24.COM.GH WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2022

NO. B24 / 303 | NEWS FOR BUSINESS LEADERS

MONDAY MAY 3, 2021

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2022

12 GIJ students receive scholarships from Lebanese community

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welve students of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) have received full scholarships from the Lebanese community in Ghana.

The scholarship covers the full Academic Facility User Fees of the beneficiaries for the 2021/2022 academic year.

The students, all currently studying journalism, are spread across levels 200, 300 and 400 of the institute.

The ceremony was attended by the Rector, the Dean of Students, the Registrar, a delegation from the Lebanese fraternity and other high-ranking members of the institute.

Since its inception, the scheme has supported Ghanaian students in the journalism and legal fields in particular to promote educational and cultural cooperation between Ghana and Lebanon, which spans over a century.

The scheme – under the leadership of Mr Maher Kheir, the Lebanese Ambassador to Ghana – has also supported students at the School of Languages and the School of Performing Arts at the University of Ghana, Legon.

So far, more than 250 students

have received scholarships, both at the undergraduate and post-graduate levels of tertiary education.

The latest support comes amidst Lebanon’s economic, financial and political crisis coupled with the effects of COVID-19 on businesses.

Mr Kheir stressed that a vibrant media environment hinged on competent human resource was

key to any society’s progress.

He explained that journalism in Ghana, like in Lebanon, continued to positively influence the nation’s democratic credentials, adding that the scholarship award was an investment in Ghana’s social transformation agenda.

“As journalists, you are agents of social transformation. We have seen the power of journalism in this COVID-19 era where it

has been key in reaching the unreachable with information.

Journalism challenges stereotypes, breaks myths, defends truth and empowers people to make meaningful contributions to society,” he said.

He urged the students to expand their view of the world as aspiring journalists to bring into focus issues affecting other countries.

GOIL opens refurbished Kwabenya Roundabout Service Station

G

oil Company Limited has opened a newly refurbished service station at Kwabenya in Accra.

Located near the Atomic

Published by Business24 Ltd. Nii Asoyii Street, Mempeasem East Legon-Accra, Ghana.

Road Kwabenya Roundabout, the modern service station is equipped with a GoCafe, auto centre, Lube bay, a pharmacy and a restaurant.

Tel: 030 296 5297 | 030 296 5315 Editor: Benson Afful editor@business24.com.gh +233 545 516 133

The Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director of GOIL, Mr Kwame Osei Prempeh, who performed the official opening of the service

business24.com.gh

station, said GOIL was committed to serving quality fuels to its customers.

He appealed to Ghanaians to continue patronising GOIL products and services for value for their money.

Mr Prempeh affirmed that GOIL would continue to establish more modern stations nationwide as part of a drive to ensure that every Ghanaian enjoyed the benefit of quality fuels.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of GOIL, Mr Alex Adzew, added that the company would continue to provide quality products at affordable prices for its customers.

The Zonal Manager, South, Helen Kyeremanteng said the Atomic Roundabout station would serve as a one-stop shop for the public.