Teleel Foundation Equips Women in Agribusiness

Telecel

The Telecel Ghana Foundation, in partnership with Wan-Hive Ghana, has trained over 230 women in the agribusiness value chain in the Bono Region, equipping them with essential digital and financial skills to grow their businesses. The two-day workshop in Sunyani targeted farmers, processors, traders and foodstuff retailers, with sessions focused on online marketing, social media use, business visibility and sound financial practices to support sustainable agribusiness operations.

Among the beneficiaries was Francisca Asiedu, founder of Eco Harvest Farm & Hub, a 25-acre agribusiness enterprise in the Bono Region. From an initial four acres, her venture has expanded into crop production, livestock and food processing, with plans for further diversification and export. She noted that the training has enhanced her ability to market her business digitally, reach customers beyond the region and support others along the agribusiness value chain.

Participants were also trained to use Telecel Cash for safer transactions and record-keeping, and received SIM cards with data, voice and SMS to immediately apply the skills acquired. According to Telecel Foundation’s Head of Sustainability and External Communications, Rita Agyeiwaa Rockson, empowering women with digital and financial tools is key to strengthening livelihoods, improving food security and expanding market access, particularly in a region that serves as a major food basket for Ghana.

Source: Citinewsroom

MTN deploys AI to detect and block fraudulent Mobile Money messages

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MTN has deployed artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to detect and block fraudulent Mobile Money messages before they reach customers. According to MTN’s Senior Manager for Fintech, Abdul-Majeed Rufai, the system uses advanced algorithms to identify attempts to mimic official transaction alerts, even when fraudsters manipulate message formats or introduce spelling errors. He noted that the AI-driven solution enables real-time detection of suspicious patterns, allowing MTN to act swiftly to prevent financial losses. The initiative forms part of MTN’s broader efforts to strengthen Mobile Money security and sustain confidence in Ghana’s digital payments ecosystem.

Source: Myjoyonline

Cabinet Approves Telecoms Chamber’s Proposal for Fibre Integration in All New Roads

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(A milestone decision to accelerate Ghana’s digital transformation and reduce fibre cuts nationwide)

Ghana’s Cabinet has approved a transformative proposal from the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications to integrate fibre-optic ducts and access chambers into all new road construction projects across the country.

The announcement was made by the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, during a high-level discussion at the Africa Tech Festival in Cape Town, South Africa. The move positions Ghana as a continental leader in infrastructure-led digitalisation and sets a precedent for other African nations to follow.

“What Ghana’s Cabinet has approved is this, every new road is also going to be a digital new road,” the Minister stated. “Contractors will now build fibre chambers alongside roads, effectively eliminating the capital cost of digging for telecom operators. This will make network rollout faster, cheaper, and more sustainable, thereby allowing operators to reinvest in expanding connectivity.”

The policy, often referred to as the “Dig Once Policy”, stems from sustained advocacy by the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and its member companies. The Chamber’s technical justification highlighted that about 60% of fibre cuts in Ghana, a major cause of service interruptions, are caused by road and construction activities. Between 2021 and the first three (3) quarters of 2025, fibre repair costs is projected to be $69.3 million, representing a significant drain on industry resources and national productivity.

By mandating the inclusion of fibre ducts in new roads, Ghana is expected to:

  • Reduce fibre cuts and network downtimes significantly
  • Lower broadband deployment costs
  • Accelerate 5G and digital infrastructure rollout across the country
  • Protect road assets and prevent repeated excavation, and
  • Foster innovation and inclusion through reliable, affordable internet access

This milestone decision aligns with the goals of Ghana’s Digital Economy Policy (2024) and National Broadband Strategy, advancing the vision of a digitally enabled economy that supports growth, inclusivity, and innovation.

The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, on behalf of its member companies and the wider digital ecosystem, has commended the Government for this forward-looking decision. The Chamber reaffirmed its commitment to work closely with the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, the Ministry of Roads and Highways, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless implementation.

“This is a bold and visionary step that will shape Ghana’s digital future,” said Sylvia Owusu-Ankomah, CEO of the Digital Chamber of Ghana. “By embedding fibre in all new roads, we are laying the foundation for a connected nation, one that leverages digital infrastructure to drive growth, innovation, and opportunity.”

The initiative reinforces Ghana’s position as one of Africa’s emerging digital leaders and offers a scalable model for other African countries aiming to build resilient, inclusive, and future-ready digital economies.

MTN Ghana Calls for Stronger Cyber Hygiene as Social Engineering Attacks Surge

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MTN Ghana has renewed calls for stronger cyber-safety practices among individuals and organisations, stressing the growing threat of socially engineered cybercrime in the country.

Speaking at MTN’s latest Bright Conversations session focused on cybersecurity, Jacqueline Hanson Kotei, Senior Manager for Enterprise Information Security & Governance at MTN Ghana, said the company is intensifying efforts to build public awareness and support safe online behaviour.

She highlighted MTN’s partnerships with key institutions, customer education initiatives, and internal capacity-building as part of a holistic approach to protecting users.

“The danger often comes from within, so educating our staff is crucial,” she said, adding that MTN has been engaging customers and employees through workshops, service-centre outreach, and public campaigns to enhance cyber awareness.

Officials from the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) echoed the call for vigilance, noting a rise in cyber incidents driven by human manipulation rather than technical hacking.

Isaac Socrates Mensah, Senior Manager at the CSA, revealed that nearly 300 cases linked to online criminal activity have been recorded since January, with many involving tricking users into revealing personal information or clicking malicious links.

He disclosed that Ghana is planning a new SIM re-registration exercise to correct earlier verification gaps and align national digital identity data to curb SIM-related fraud.

CSA Senior Manager, Legal & Compliance, Seth Gyapong-Oware, called for deeper collaboration across government, industry, and civil society to strengthen national cybersecurity resilience.

MTN’s Bright Conversations forum forms part of the company’s ongoing efforts to promote responsible technology use and empower the public to stay safe online.

Source: Daily Guide News

NIA, Telecom Chamber and Digital Chamber Strengthen Partnership to Boost Ghana’s Digital Security and Trust

Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications

The National Identification Authority (NIA), the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications (GCT), and the Digital Chamber of Ghana (DCG) have reaffirmed their commitment to advancing a secure, efficient, and trusted digital ecosystem for Ghana.

During a high-level leadership engagement, the three institutions discussed strategic areas of collaboration—including biometric verification, interoperability, and data integrity—to enhance secure digital transactions across critical sectors. The meeting also served to formally introduce the new CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Ms. Sylvia Owusu-Ankomah, to the leadership of the NIA and DCG.

Ghana Chamber of TelecommunicationsThe renewed collaboration builds on a long-standing partnership focused on driving Ghana’s inclusive digital transformation, deepening cybersecurity, and strengthening confidence in digital financial services and telecommunications infrastructure. By leveraging shared expertise and systems, the institutions aim to expand digital trust and support Ghana’s transition into a fully digitized economy.

Source: Chamber News Desk

Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications Engages Communications Minister to Advance Digital Transformation Agenda

The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Sylvia Owusu-Ankomah, has paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology & Innovation, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, as part of efforts to deepen collaboration and strengthen policy alignment for Ghana’s digital growth.

The meeting focused on advancing shared priorities for the telecommunications and digital ecosystem, including sustaining a competitive industry, accelerating connectivity expansion, and safeguarding consumer interests nationwide. Discussions also touched on the need to support a robust digital infrastructure framework to enable innovation, inclusion, and secure digital participation for all Ghanaians.

The engagement underscores its continued role as the unified voice of Ghana’s telecom and digital sector. The visit marks a renewed commitment between industry and government to drive forward policies that support a secure, connected, and inclusive digital future.

The Chamber reiterated its readiness to work closely with the ministry to ensure the sustainability of the telecoms sector, promote investment, and advance digital transformation to benefit citizens, businesses, and the national economy.

Source: Chamber News Desk

MTN equips SMEs with digital, financial tools

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MTN Ghana has rolled out a Small & Medium Enterprise (SME) Business Clinic in Kumasi as a testament of its commitment to strengthening the\xa0 country’s economic backbone.

The programme, which has already made stops at Accra, Takoradi and Tamale, brought together over 120 SMEs in the Ashanti Region for two days of capacity building, digital empowerment and financial literacy to enhance business activities for beneficiary SMEs.

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Speaking at the event, Senior Manager-SME Sales, MTN Ghana, Mohammed Abubakari-Sidick noted that the initiative was designed to tackle unique challenges facing SMEs – ranging from poor record-keeping and financial management to low technology adoption and lack of insurance cover.

“Most SMEs in the country contribute significantly to GDP but continue facing hurdles that limit their growth potential. With the SME Business Clinic, we are arming them with digital tools, financial literacy and insurance solutions to help them thrive,” Mr. Abubakari-Sidick said.

Key highlights of the programme include exposing SMEs to MTN’s ‘Y’ello Biz’ – a digital package that provides SMEs with fibre broadband, access to Microsoft 365, data management support and, crucially, web development services. This, Mr. Abubakri-Sidick, says will help bridge a major gap as many SMEs lack online presence – which often excludes them from international funding opportunities.

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The Business Clinic was done in partnership with Sanlam Allianz and SME Ghana Awards (SMEGA) for beneficiary SMEs to understand and appreciate the benefits of insuring their businesses.

Mr. Abubakari-Sidick emphasised that with the right insurance cover, businesses can quickly recover and stay afloat in the event of disasters or shocks.

“Today, we are not just giving SMEs internet solutions. We are giving them the assurance that when unforeseen challenges come, they won’t lose everything. Insurance is now part of the digital toolkit,” he stressed.

The SME Business Clinic forms part of MTN’s broader strategy to support entrepreneurship and digital inclusion under its Vision 2025 agenda.

Some participants expressed appreciation to MTN Ghana, describing the SME Business Clinic as an eye-opener. They assured of their readiness to incorporate all that they have learnt to enhance their business.

Source: MSN

Meta Platforms faces Dutch algorithm crackdown

Meta

A Dutch court reportedly ordered Meta Platforms to change the way Instagram and Facebook present content to users, taking aim at the company’s algorithm practices.

According to Reuters, the court ruled Meta Platforms must offer simpler options on user timelines that do not focus on making profit for the company, mainly ensuring the platforms’ do not rely on algorithms.

It further argued that the design of both platforms go against the principles of the European Union Digital Services Act (DSA), and it has been given two weeks to offer users a direct and simple way to opt out of timelines that offer recommended content.

A chronological based timeline must be offered, added the court.

In its decision, the court explained “people in the Netherlands are not sufficiently able to make free and autonomous choices about the use of profiled recommendation systems”.

The case was launched by digital rights group Bits of Freedom. Spokesperson for the group Maartje Knaap said it was “unacceptable a few American tech billionaires can determine how we view the world”.

Meta Platforms, which has stated it will appeal the decision, faces a fine of up to $5.8 million if it does not comply.

The case in the Netherlands is the company’s latest row in Europe. It is also facing heat from the European Commission over failing to remove illegal content on Facebook and Instagram.

Source: Mobile World Live

Apple pulls location tracking tool from App Store

Apple

Apple reportedly removed a location tracking app that informs users of the whereabouts of US immigration and customs agents from its App Store, following pressure from the Donald Trump administration.

Reuters reported the US Justice Department had contacted Apple to remove the ICEBlock app, claiming it increased the risk of attacks on its agents, and the company has complied with the request.

ICE is a federal enforcement agency and its agents are tasked with enforcing Trump’s hard-line immigration laws. The app is designed to alert users if ICE agents are in their area.

In an statement seen by the news outlet, Apple stated: “Based on the information we’ve received from law enforcement about the safety risks associated with ICEBlock, we have removed it and similar apps from the App Store.”

ICEBlock launched in April and shot up to the top of Apple’s App Store rankings in July. It then faced heat from the White House, with the administration claiming agents were facing a 500 per cent increase in assaults.

Following Apple’s removal, US attorney general Pam Bondi welcomed the decision, telling CNN “ICEBlock is designed to put ICE agents at risk just for doing their jobs, and violence against law enforcement is an intolerable red line that cannot be crossed”.

Apple and other technology companies have sought to improve relations with Trump during his second term. The iPhone maker has pledged to invest $600 billion in the US over the next four years.

Source: Mobile World Live

Indonesia suspends TikTok licence

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Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) temporarily suspended TikTok’s operating licence after it refused to hand over information about live streaming activity during protests in August.

Komdigi issued a statement explaining the move was prompted by the short-form video platform providing only partial data on its live streaming during the protests from 25 August to 30 August.

The Ministry stated it requested data on traffic information, live streaming activity and monetisation data on 16 September and gave the social media app owned by China-based ByteDance a deadline of 23 September.

TikTok stated in an official response that “internal policies and procedures governing how to handle and respond to data requests” meant it could not provide the information requested.

Komdigi stated TikTok’s failure to comply with the data request violated its obligations as a private electronic system operator, leading to temporary suspension measures as part of the Ministry’s oversight.

Source: Mobile World Live