Sam George signs agreement with MTN

MTN Group and Ghana have signed an agreement to work together to support the government’s flagship ‘One Million Coders” programme to equip young Ghanaians with artificial intelligence, coding and digital skills to drive the country’s digital transformation.

On the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona, Samuel Nartey George, Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, and Mr Ralph Mupita, MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore areas for collaboration on what the Minister called the flagship initiative of the new administration of President John Mahama.

This was in a statement issued by MTN Ghana and copied to the Ghana News Agency.

The statement quoted the Minister as saying “We engaged with the MTN Group and expressed our desire for a partnership that will lead to fuel the capacity of young Ghanaians in the area of artificial intelligence, digital technology, data governance and cybersecurity. MTN did not hesitate to offer to support the initiative.”

It further quoted the Minister as saying “We recognise that as part of its 25th anniversary, MTN (Ghana) is making significant investments in Ghana. The MTN building, donated to the government of Ghana, will become one of our centres for excellence for artificial intelligence and software development. We are committed to backing MTN in this endeavour.”

It said Mupita thanked the Minister and his delegation for two days of constructive engagements and for choosing MTN as a trusted partner, saying, “We are very focused on understanding the strategy Ghana has and how we as MTN Group and MTN Ghana can support it.”

It further quoted Mr Mupita as saying “We thank you for your commitment in terms of creating an enabling environment for us to carry on the work we are doing, very humbly though, to support the building out of the digital ecosystem that will be a catalyst for growth and expansion and meet the socioeconomic objectives of the Ghanaian government.”

The statement said, “Given that around 3000 languages are spoken across Africa, it was incumbent on Africans to ensure that they worked on their own large language models to develop the solutions made possible through generative AI” quoting Mupita as saying “We must develop our own talent on the African continent; we must develop our own software engineers and we must be doing more around coding to enable us to all be future fit.”

The statement also quoted Ebenezer Asante, MTN Group Senior Vice President for Markets, as saying “MTN is delighted to be part of the initiative, which is closely aligned to MTN’s strategic intent, adding “Between MTN and Ghana, we will partner using common projects to advance the cause of African development.”

It said, “The MoU follows the introduction in 2023 of the MTN Skills Academy in multiple MTN operating countries, including Ghana. The MTN Skills Academy aims to provide access to digital and financial skills training across the continent.”

It added that “The Academy provides a range of courses including coding, web development, digital marketing and data analytics with the aim of ensuring 60 per cent of youth and adults have at least basic proficiency in sustainable digital skills by the end of 2025.”

Project Team for new BoG headquarters explains repeated increase in total cost

President John Dramani Mahama has emphasised that Ghana’s reliance on donor aid and external financial support cannot be overcome through rhetoric alone but requires decisive and sustained action.

Speaking at the 68th Independence Day celebration held at Jubilee House, President Mahama acknowledged the frequent discussions about the country’s dependence on imports, donor aid, and International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailouts.

However, he warned that repeating these concerns without implementing concrete solutions risks reducing them to mere clichés.

“Discussions about our independence often highlight our reliance on imports, donor aid, and IMF bailouts as signs of continued dependency. This reminder is repeated so often that, while undeniably real, it risks becoming a cliché,” he said.

He pointed out the contradiction in advocating for self-reliance while still seeking financial assistance from external sources, calling it “meaningless” to proclaim self-sufficiency while continuing to march with a begging bowl in hand.

“Proclaiming self-reliance while marching straight into the hands of donor agencies, begging bowl in hand, is meaningless,” he stressed.

To tackle this challenge, President Mahama assured Ghanaians that his administration is fully committed to restoring economic stability by implementing policies that focus on fiscal discipline and self-sufficiency.

“To break this cycle of dependence and restore our economy, my administration is formulating policies based on fiscal discipline and living within our means,” he concluded.

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Sam George, Minister of Communications Digitalisation, and Innovation

Ghanaians are to pay relatively cheaper rates for data as the country celebrates 68 years of independence.

The Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, announced that his outfit had reached an agreement with telecommunication operators to offer Independence Day bundles to Ghanaians.

He said a GH¢10 bundle would get 6GB worth of data instead of the usual 1GB offered daily.

He announced on his X page on March 6, 2025.

Sam George wrote: “Under the instructions of H.E. @JDMahama, we have reached a special Independence Day bundle package on all three networks in the Country. All three telecom companies @MTNGhana, @TelecelGhana and @theatghana – have agreed to offer a GH¢10 bundle which would offer 6GB of data instead of the usual 1GB regular offering or 3GB offerings on holidays for the same price.”

According to the minister, this is part of the government’s agenda of ensuring digital inclusion in Ghana.

“This highlights our commitment as a government to build the enablers for a truly digitalized Ghana that offers the vast opportunity of the interconnected world to Ghanaians right in the comfort of their homes. Tomorrow, the @mocghana would outline short-, medium- and long-term plans towards a sustained reduction in data prices. In service to God and Country,” he added.

For MTN users, dial 138 and select the special offer and *700# on Telecel to enjoy the offer.

SSD/AE

Minority outlines their concerns with BoG Governor’s briefing on cost of new headquarters

Associate Professor at the University of Fraser Valley in Canada, Edward Akuffo, has emphasised Canada’s commitment to Ghana’s development as both nations strengthen their relations amid a shifting global landscape.

Delivering a lecture on Friday at the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) campus in Dzorwulu, Accra, he highlighted Ghana’s consistent role in global peacekeeping as a key factor in Canada’s continued support.

The lecture, titled “Africa’s Geopolitical Space and Canada-Africa Relations in a Shifting Global Order,” explored Canada’s evolving role in Africa. The continent is increasingly fostering close cooperation with BRICS, moving beyond traditional partners such as the United Kingdom and the United States.

Established in 2009, BRICS seeks to strengthen economic ties among member states. The bloc has since expanded to ten countries, including key African economies like South Africa and Egypt.
Prof Akuffo commended Ghana’s soft power, emphasising its democratic stability and leadership in global affairs.

“Ghana has contributed to UN peacekeeping operations for a very long time. In fact, it is one of the top 10 contributors to UN peacekeeping operations. Since 1992, Ghana has remained democratic, and although there are economic challenges, it looks like Ghanaians, every four years since 1992, have elected a new government. That is a positive sign of Ghana’s soft power.
“And it is on the basis of this that, for example, the Canadian government continues to support Ghana’s development,” he stated.

He further noted that Canada had selected Ghana as a beneficiary of The Elsie Initiative Fund, which aims to increase the participation of uniformed women in UN peace operations. Ghana’s Armed Forces was among the first to participate in the initiative when it was launched in 2017.

Addressing Canada’s economic ties with Africa, Prof Akuffo revealed that Canada has significant investments in Ghana’s mining sector. However, he expressed concern about the environmental and human security risks posed by illegal mining.

“In fact, perhaps one area that may be of particular interest to the Canadian government, to mining companies, is the issue of illegal mining or what is called in Ghana, Galamsey, because this not only threatens the environment, but it also poses significant danger to human rights and human security,” he explained.

The foreign policy lecture, organised by UniMAC’s International Relations Directorate with support from the university’s Directorate of Research, Innovation and Development (DRID), attracted lecturers, students, and journalists.

Speaking to reporters after the lecture, Dr Lawrencia Agyepong, Director of the International Relations Directorate, described the engagement as part of a broader collaboration between UniMAC and the University of Fraser Valley.

“University of Fraser Valley is one of the institutions that we are having collaborations with. One of the visions of our current vice-chancellor is to give an international outlook to the University of Media, Arts and Communication, and because of that, we are forming collaborations with institutions across the globe,” Dr Agyepong said.

Attendees expressed a deeper appreciation of the Canada-Ghana relationship, particularly its impact on student visa processes for Ghanaian students seeking education in Canada.

“I got to learn that because of the relationship Ghana has with Canada, international students from Ghana are favoured a lot, so getting a school in Canada is easier,” said Rita Nsiah, a Level 300 student at the university.

“If we continue to have good relations with Canada, then Ghanaian students are really going to benefit from it,” added Frank Obeng, another attendee.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

Canada has reached a first-time air transport agreement with Ghana, opening the door to more travel options and business opportunities between the two countries.

The agreement, announced by Transport Minister Anita Anand, allows multiple airlines from both nations to operate flights, with a limit of 14 weekly passenger flights and 10 weekly all-cargo flights. Airlines can begin offering services immediately.

“Ghana is a growing market for Canada, and I am pleased to see this first agreement open the door to new opportunities for travellers and businesses in both countries,” said Anand. “This agreement will connect more passengers and strengthen our cultural and commercial ties.”

Minister of Export Promotion Mary Ng highlighted the economic benefits, stating, “This agreement will enhance connectivity, promote tourism, and drive economic growth.”

The deal aligns with Canada’s Blue Sky policy, which aims to expand international air service agreements and boost competition.

Canada now has air transport agreements covering more than 125 countries.

Topics From This Article to Explore

John Sheriff Bawah, Managing Director, State Housing Company Limited (SHCL)

The new State Housing Company Limited (SHCL), Managing Director, John Sheriff Bawah has pledged to transform the housing sector by leveraging innovation, efficiency, and strategic partnerships to expand homeownership opportunities.

With an extensive background in real estate development, project management, and international business, Bawah brings a strategic vision focused on making quality housing affordable, sustainable, and accessible for all Ghanaians.

In his foremost meeting with the management of the company, Bawah emphasized his commitment to improving estate management services, ensuring modern and well-planned housing projects that cater to both urban and rural communities.

A leader with proven expertise

Bawah is widely recognized for his ability to drive growth in global companies and effect real change in Ghana’s real estate landscape. His career spans over fifteen years in residential and commercial property development, having led key private, commercial, and government housing projects across the country.

His work in the sector has contributed to economic growth and job creation, benefiting communities where he has developed housing projects. He firmly believes that Ghana’s transition to a high-middle-income economy depends on the availability of affordable and sustainable housing solutions.

Multinational Experience and Strategic Vision

Before venturing into real estate, Mr. Bawah held leadership roles in top multinational companies, including Beiersdorf (makers of Nivea), Nestlé Ghana, and Nokia SSA. His expertise in market expansion and business turnaround strategies saw him successfully establish operations in multiple countries.

At Beiersdorf, he led business expansion across 13 West African nations, notably setting up full-scale operations in Nigeria and Ghana. His contributions to Nestlé Ghana included pioneering the Modern Trade segment, while at Nokia SSA, he played a key role in retail strategy transformation and product innovation.

His international experience extends to consulting roles with Imagine FMCG (UAE) and Alphasights, where he advised multinational brands on African market entry and expansion strategies.

A vision for the future of State Housing

With a Master’s Degree in International Relations from the University of Westminster (UK) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Ghana, coupled with extensive leadership training in Germany, South Africa, and Canada, Mr Bawah is well-equipped to lead SHCL into a new era of growth and innovation.

He has also enhanced his real estate expertise by securing a professional certification from the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA), Canada.

As the new Managing Director of SHCL, Bawah aims to bridge Ghana’s housing deficit by introducing cost-effective, high-quality housing solutions tailored to the needs of the average Ghanaian. His leadership is expected to modernize estate management and strengthen the role of SHCL in national development.

With his track record in real estate, project execution, and business leadership, the future of SHCL under John Sheriff Bawah looks promising and transformative.

As Ghana celebrates its 68th Independence Day anniversary, the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga has urged all Ghanaians to unite for a brighter future.

He noted that Ghana has come a long way hence it is deserving to celebrate the nation’s resilience and progress

In a post on his X page, he said “Happy 68th Independence Day, Ghana! Proud to celebrate our nation’s resilience & progress. Let’s unite for a brighter future! #Ghana@68 #GhanaFirst”

Happy 68th Independence Day, Ghana! Proud to celebrate our nation’s resilience & progress. Let’s unite for a brighter future! #Ghana@68 #GhanaFirst pic.twitter.com/SIs2g4PhWa

— Mahama Ayariga (@ayariga_mahama) March 6, 2025

Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed that Ghana saved a substantial amount by hosting the 68th Independence Anniversary celebration at the Jubilee House instead of the traditional Independence Square.

Delivering his speech at the ceremony on Thursday, March 6, 2025, President Mahama revealed that the event had initially been estimated to cost GHS 20 million if held at Independence Square.

“This year, we received an estimate of at least 20 million Ghana cedis for holding the event at the Independence Square on the same scale as the previous year,” he stated.

However, considering the current economic crisis, he explained that it would have been “unconscionable” to spend such an amount on a few hours of celebration. As a result, the government decided to relocate the event to the Jubilee House to cut costs.

“This decision will save us 95% of the estimated cost of the event,” the President emphasized.

President Mahama further revealed that the state spent GHS 15 million on last year’s celebration in Koforidua and GHS 13.7 million the previous year in Ho, Volta Region.

Despite the cost-cutting measures, he assured that the significance of Independence Day remains intact, highlighting its role in inspiring other Sub-Saharan African nations to fight for independence and self-determination.

“Nonetheless, this scale-down does not diminish the importance of this occasion in any way. It is the single most important event in our history, as it sets us on the path of nationhood

By Philip Tengzu

Wa, (UW/R), March 6, GNA – As Ghana marks its 68th Independence celebration, there is a need for a legal regime to mandate successive governments to implement the development plans and policies of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC). 

The NDPC was established and entrusted with the mandate to design concrete and achievable development plans, policies, and programmes tailored towards Ghana’s sustainable development, but those plans were left to “die on the shelves” while Ghana wallowed in a development quagmire. 

“We should institute a law …, whether you like it or not, whether party A or party B you cannot deflect from that national growth trajectory ….”, Professor Elijah Yendaw, a Professor at the Faculty of Public Policy and Governance, SDD University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS), said. 

He said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Wa on Thursday on the commemoration of Ghana’s Independence Day, on the theme: “Reflect, Review and Reset”.  

Prof. Yendaw, the Director of the Centre for Migration, Security and International Relations at the SDD-UBIDS, attributed Ghana’s underdevelopment to the desire of successive governments to satisfy their political party’s whims to the detriment of Ghana’s development needs.   

“One key institution that politicians were supposed to be listening to, working with, and ensuring that we have continuity of development programmes and projects is the National Development Planning Commission, but what do we see, they abandon all these beautiful development programmes and policies”, he explained. 

He indicated that a law binding all governments to implement the NDPC’s development priorities would put the country on the right trajectory.   

Talking about the theme of the celebration, “Reflect, Review and Reset”, Prof Yendaw indicated that it would encourage and trigger positive thinking among Ghanaians to support the President John Dramani Mahama-led government to reset the country and put it on a “sound footing” for development.    

He observed that Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s declaration of Ghana’s independence on 6th March, 1957 meant that Ghana was “dis-bonded from the colonial shackles” and to leap the country into a growth path – economically, politically, socially, and culturally. 

Prof Yendaw, however, observed that Dr. Nkrumah’s “brilliant idea” of total liberation of Ghana from the control of the colonial masters and uniting Africa was short-lived by military interventions.  

“Many of the development plans that Nkrumah initiated, some projects were finished, successive governments came in, some were abandoned, and some were continued. 

So, we have had a very checkered history when it comes to our growth and development as a country, starting from the Nkrumah regime”, Prof. Yendaw lamented. 

GNA 

CAE/CA 

Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson

Following the announcement by the government, through the Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, that Treasury Bill (T-Bill) rates are on a downward trajectory – a development signaling positive progress for the economy – the Director in charge of Communications and Public Policy at the Institute of Economic Research and Public Policy, Dr. Frank Bannor, has shared his perspective on the matter.

According to him, there is no need to celebrate the purchase of T-Bill with coupon rates between 19% and 22%.

He asserted that individuals who invest in T-Bills will not see any real value on their monies if inflation remains high.

In an interview with GhanaWeb Business, Dr. Bannor stated that, “This clearly portrays a lack of understanding of economics by some individuals in government. They make posts suggesting that the government has auctioned T-Bills at 19% and 22%, and for that reason, the Mahama government should be praised. This does not warrant any jubilation. Assuming the end-of-year inflation target is 19%, this means a zero or -3% real value for investment.”

“Inflation currently sits around 23%, while the lending rate, primarily driven by the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), is between 34.5% and 35.5%. This implies that holding all other factors constant, the average Ghanaian who invests in T-Bills at the current rate is losing money in real terms,” he added.

Dr Bannor further stated that Ghanaians should brace themselves for an increase in non-performing loans.

“The government should desist from manufacturing economic indicators and figures to suit its agenda of appearing favorable in the eyes of the public. The international community and financial watchdogs like the World Bank and IMF would discredit Ghana if figures are fabricated for political reasons,” he warned.

On March 3, 2025, the Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, announced that Ghana had saved approximately GH¢1 billion due to the recent reduction in Treasury Bill rates.

He stated that the savings would be redirected toward critical sectors of the economy to promote development and ensure a stable and prosperous environment for Ghanaians.

Speaking at the National Economic Dialogue under the theme “Resetting Ghana: Building the Economy We Want Together,” Dr. Ato Forson emphasised the need to reduce borrowing and lower the cost of debt as part of efforts to generate more funds for national development and economic restructuring.

It would be recalled that on Friday, February 28, 2025, Treasury Bill yields experienced a sharp decline.

According to the latest auction results from the Bank of Ghana, rates that started the year between 28% and 30% have now fallen to an average range of 20% to 22%.

At the start of the year, the 91-day Treasury Bill stood at 28.34% but has now dropped to 20.79%, reflecting a 760-basis point decline.

Similarly, the 182-day bill has fallen from 28.96% to 22.98%, a 600-basis point drop.

SA/AE

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President John Dramani Mahama, has called on residents of Bawku and its surrounding areas to embrace peace and renew friendships to end the ongoing conflict in the region.

His plea follows the recent surge in violence that has resulted in the deaths of about 56 people. The ongoing tensions have led to the imposition of a curfew in Bawku and its environs, with restricted movement between 8:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.

Addressing the public during the 68th Independence Day celebration held at the Jubilee House on March 6, under the theme “Reflect, Review, and Reset,” Mahama urged the people of Bawku to prioritize peace for the sake of future generations.

“The people of Bawku and other areas, it is time for lasting peace to prevail. Our children deserve to inherit a peaceful land where their dreams are nurtured, not a place where their nightmares are relived. They deserve to inherit a land where our markets are bustling with trade, not tension and conflict. They deserve schools that echo with learning, not melancholy,” Mahama stated.

He further urged the residents not to be swayed by mistrust or the weight of past grievances, emphasizing the need to move forward together.

“Let us give renewal and friendship a chance. Let us give peace a chance. This is not an invitation to simply forget the past far from it. It is an invitation to live above it,” he added.