Fibre cuts on Kasoa-Winneba road expansion affecting our network

The MTN Ghana Technical Manager for South West, Mr. Teddy Hayford Acquah has announced that the redesigning and expansion of the Kasoa-Winneba Highway is impacting negatively on MTN Fibre, as the Company has experienced several fibre cuts in the area.

The situation according to him, has resulted in network challenges, affecting especially MTN clients in Kasoa.

According to him, 80% of Kasoa MTN network problems have to do with the fibre cuts due to the Kasoa-Winneba heavy road expansion”.

“Our fibre infrastructure along the Kasoa-Winneba corridor has been encroached on and we are actually recording in total of about 62 kilometres of fibre damage. As a result, we have spent more than about 5million cedis already”, Mr Hayford Acquah revealed

He stated that MTN company continues to fight the menace of fibre cuts and as such, employs more engineers on the ground.

At the 2024 media and stakeholders forum held in Cape Coast, Mr. Hayford Acquah also pointed out another emerging concern that caused Fibre cuts which included private property developers, galamsey activities and vandalism which had always ended up impacting the fibre infrastructure.

“These are areas by law acquired permit to lay our cables and our infrastructure but unfortunately sometimes these developers do not actually consider these rights of ways that we have acquired and expect them to protect our infrastructure but they go in there and damage our infrastructure” he fumed.

He, therefore, appealed to the general public to use their various platforms to assist MTN and ” to protect this national asset because a lot of people now depend on the fibre infrastructure”.

The MTN Ghana Technical Manager for South West, Mr. Teddy Hayford Acquah has announced that the redesigning and expansion of the Kasoa-Winneba Highway is impacting negatively on MTN Fibre, as the Company has experienced several fibre cuts in the area.

The situation according to him, has resulted in network challenges, affecting especially MTN clients in Kasoa.

According to him, 80% of Kasoa MTN network problems have to do with the fibre cuts due to the Kasoa-Winneba heavy road expansion”.

“Our fibre infrastructure along the Kasoa-Winneba corridor has been encroached on and we are actually recording in total of about 62 kilometres of fibre damage. As a result, we have spent more than about 5million cedis already”, Mr Hayford Acquah revealed

He stated that MTN company continues to fight the menace of fibre cuts and as such, employs more engineers on the ground.

At the 2024 media and stakeholders forum held in Cape Coast, Mr. Hayford Acquah also pointed out another emerging concern that caused Fibre cuts which included private property developers, galamsey activities and vandalism which had always ended up impacting the fibre infrastructure.

“These are areas by law acquired permit to lay our cables and our infrastructure but unfortunately sometimes these developers do not actually consider these rights of ways that we have acquired and expect them to protect our infrastructure but they go in there and damage our infrastructure” he fumed.

He, therefore, appealed to the general public to use their various platforms to assist MTN and ” to protect this national asset because a lot of people now depend on the fibre infrastructure”.

The media and stakeholders forum brought together journalists, stakeholders, and MTN officials.

It was to map out the future of digital transformation, particularly how MTN envisions itself over the next five years.

On her part, MTN Ghana’s Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, Adwoa Wiafe said MTN was in the process of addressing the issue of the communities that could not access the  MTN network as soon as possible.

She said MTN Mobile Money fraud was affecting their customers and the company was very concerned, citing that, “MTN is working with all stakeholders to ensure that the company is able to deal with the issues that arise out of the MoMo fraud”.

Madam Wiafe said last year the company paid about 5.9 billion Ghana cedis on taxes and “continues to do so to be able to support and contribute to  Ghana’s development”.

Source: MyNewsGh.com

Telecel Ghana has hosted its inaugural Women 100 Power Connect, a gathering of accomplished and influential women across the country, to climax its Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) Month celebration.

The telecommunications giant organised the exclusive evening event to serve as a platform for igniting insights, inspiration, connection and collaboration among the women present from various backgrounds – business executives, entrepreneurs, media practitioners, artists, activists and influencers.

Held under the theme ‘Imperfect Courage’ in Accra, the interactive event featured resilient and inspiring life stories from speakers, engaging poetry and comedy performances and ample opportunities for networking.

Opening the event, Chief Executive of Telecel Ghana, Ing. Patricia Obo-Nai shared her challenges in the first year as the first Ghanaian woman to lead Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited (GTCL) and the strategies she embraced to help the telco stay afloat despite opposition from sceptics.

“I decided to be bold, brave and resolute; irrespective of naysayers. The worst you can do is to self-doubt. It’s in difficult moments that you must summon the imperfect courage by believing in yourself and having confidence in your abilities, even when you feel you are not ready. You just have to keep going,” Ing. Obo-Nai said.

The Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Mrs. Elsie Addo Awadzi, who was the special guest of honour, shared her story of the difficult transition from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to serve as a Deputy Governor of BoG because she believed that the call of national duty was stronger. As the second female central bank governor in Ghana’s history, she said the experience gained over two decades in international finance was of immense help to Ghana’s fiscal stability.

“Despite the banking sector crisis and pandemic, I had to work through it to restore confidence and ensure our banks were liquid and well-financed,” Mrs. Awadzi said. “I let courage lead even in circumstances that look imperfect. More women must take up public positions because too many generational decisions are being taken that do not have women at the table.”

Two additional business leaders who shared their stories on imperfect courage were Valerie Larbi, a sustainable transport entrepreneur who is co-founder and CEO of Wahu Mobilty; and Mrs. Esther Aidoo Dwamena, CEO of Witties Ghana, a sanitation and hygiene business.

In closing the Women 100 Power Connect, Director of Enterprise Business and Wholesale at Telecel Ghana, Tawa Bolarin, reminded the audience of the Telecel Women in Business initiative – a comprehensive suite of tailored resources that address the unique needs of women-led SMEs, including free website development, access to grants and loans, health and life insurance package and e-commerce support, among others.

Source: B&FT Online

A total of 150 business owners are set to benefit from this year’s MTN Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME) Support Programme.

The programme seeks to lend financial and business development support to micro and small businesses led by Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), women, and the youth.

Speaking at the launch of the second edition of the MTN Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME) Support Programme in Cape Coast, chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, Mrs Adwoa Afriyie Wiafe, announced that MTN Ghana would commit GHS 2 million to the initiative, with up to GHS 20,000 allocated per business based on need.

In addition to financial assistance, the programme will focus on capacity building and digital marketing to help participants strengthen their businesses.

“Last year, we committed GHS 1 million; this year, we are doubling that to GHS 2 million. The support goes beyond cash—it involves training, streamlining businesses, and formalizing their operations, allowing them to grow, employ more people, and make a lasting impact,” she added.

She acknowledged the challenges SMEs face in accessing capital, training, and opportunities for growth.

She explained that the programme aims to help beneficiaries leverage digital platforms to expand their businesses and market their products online. “The support will enable beneficiaries to adopt new business practices, scale their businesses, and access formal finance if necessary,” Mrs Wiafe added.

This year’s initiative is a collaboration between the MTN Ghana Foundation and Innohub Foundation, which will initially roll out in the Central Region before expanding to other regions across the country.

Nelson Amo, Executive Director of Innohub Foundation, outlined Innohub’s role in the programme, which includes identifying businesses, screening and training beneficiaries, and managing the disbursement of funds.

He expressed hope that the programme would help participants grow their businesses, increase their customer base, and utilize digital marketing platforms like MTN’s mobile markets.

“We expect these businesses to grow, increase revenues, and maintain financial discipline, which will help them sustain long-term growth. Many of them are in the food sector, contributing to food security in the country,” Mr Amo emphasized.

Some of the beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to MTN for the support provided through the programme.

Source: Myjoyonline.com

On October 9, 2024, a two-member team from the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), Ms. Maame Yaa Owusu-Amoah, Digital Ecosystem Specialist and Mr. Sangyoung Jung, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist for the Inclusive Digital Economies Portfolio in Ghana, made a courtesy call to Dr. Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey, CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and the EMIs Chamber of Ghana. The meeting focused on two primary issues: bridging the skills gap between university and business, and giving financial assistance to MSMEs.

The first agenda item focused on assisting students in developing the skills required for the labor market. The UNCDF team stressed the need of aligning school courses with industrial requirements. This will guarantee that students are better equipped for work by closing the present skill gap between academic degrees and real-world industrial requirements. Dr. Ashigbey and the UNCDF discussed possibilities to work on creating programs that provide students with the skills needed for the telecommunications and broader tech industries.

The second topic of the discussion was to help MSMEs. The delegation acknowledged the difficulties that many small firms and start-ups experience in obtaining loans due to high interest rates, especially those from mobile money systems. The UNCDF team recommended collaborating with the chamber to provide personalized financial products and services for MSMEs. These approaches would assist firms in obtaining loans and fostering development, increasing their financial resilience.

The discussion concluded with a pledge from the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications to engage its members to support these efforts, paving the way for future collaboration with UNCDF.

Source: Chamber News Desk

Somalian operators Hormuud Telecom, Golis Telecom, and the GSMA have moved to deepen their collaboration with NGOs by developing a strategy to fully harness mobile technology for humanitarian efforts.

A workshop was held in partnership on the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (13 October) to demonstrate how leveraging mobile and digital technologies, such as early warning systems, can be life-changing for vulnerable and remote communities.

For instance, Hormuud and regional operator Golis pioneered the use of ringtones for critical alerts in Somalia, delivering life-saving instructions.

Mobile technology has played a key role in transforming Africa, with mobile money highlighted as a crucial tool for livelihoods and humanitarian aid in Somalia. The World Bank estimates that over three-quarters (76%) of Somalians use mobile money daily. Hormuud Telecom operates the EVC Plus mobile money platform, while Golis has developed Sahal. Humanitarian organisations have tapped into these platforms to deliver financial aid.

Hormuud Telecom CEO Ahmed Yusef stated: “For the past two decades, telecom providers have been the backbone of Somalia’s economy. Mobile money has helped young people become entrepreneurs, enabled families to purchase essentials, and allowed farmers to bring their goods to market.

“As Somalia faces challenges like climate change and rising food insecurity, we believe that by working closely with our humanitarian and development partners, mobile connectivity can play an even greater role in uplifting communities and driving sustainable development.”

Golis Telecom Mobile Money Director Khalif Hassan Isse added: “The telecommunications industry is the non-state sector with the largest contribution to Somalia’s economy and development. Our efforts to understand client needs and invest in cutting-edge technology have brought us to where we are today.”

Source: Developing Telecoms

Ethio Telecom, Ethiopia’s state-owned telecoms company, announced on Monday, October 14, a strategic partnership with Meta, the parent company of social network Facebook. The move comes after discussions between Frehiwot Tamru (pictured, right), CEO of Ethio Telecom, and Vikas Menon (pictured, left), director of business development and partnerships for the Middle East and Africa at Meta, along with other company executives.

“  This partnership is a critical step towards improving the digital experience for our customers. By working with Meta, we are driving greater accessibility and inclusion in Ethiopia’s digital landscape  ,” said Tamru.

Under the agreement, Ethio Telecom will offer free and temporary access to Meta’s services, including Facebook, even without a credit balance. Users will also be able to access essential content on health, education and employment opportunities for free, providing them with access to crucial information. The initiative aims to boost data usage and improve connectivity across the country.

This initiative is part of Ethio Telecom’s strategy to strengthen digital inclusion in Ethiopia. Together, the two companies intend to leverage Meta’s platforms to promote digital literacy, support the local ecosystem through content creation and cultural preservation initiatives, while improving cybersecurity and user data protection.

Once fully deployed, this strategic collaboration is expected to play a key role in improving the accessibility and inclusiveness of digital services, as well as promoting digital literacy. According to Data Reportal statistics, Facebook had 7.05 million users in Ethiopia as of early 2024, highlighting the growing importance of social media in the country.

Source: Agency EcoFin

Mukuru, a fintech company, has unveiled a new mobile wallet in Malawi called the Mukuru Wallet.

This move, according to the business, is in response to the growing demand for a digital store of value among cash-dependent citizens who have come to rely on Mukuru.

The Mukuru Wallet is intended to meet the growing demand for a simple, safe, and efficient solution to manage finances and make money transfers, according to the company.

It further stated that the wallet allows clients to easily receive and send payments both locally and globally, as well as store, save, and earn interest on funds.

This Mukuru Wallet was created exclusively for the Malawian market, with two pockets called “Nyanja” and “Moyo”.

Nyanja is used for domestic money transfers and cash ins, whilst Moyo is used to accept foreign money transfers.

According to the company, clients will benefit from no fees while cashing out from the Moyo pocket.

This comes as mobile wallets gain popularity across the continent and prove to be an important financial tool for underserved and unbanked groups, providing a safe and effective way to access financial services.

According to Mukuru, the wallet in Malawi provides an alternative way for both rural and urban residents to access official financial services.

Mike Cook, head of wallet and card at Mukuru, said: “By providing a safe, secure digital means of storing this money, while enabling them to pay bills directly from the wallet, Malawians will not only benefit from the reduced risk of not having to withdraw large sums of cash, but they can also actively partake into the modern, digital financial economy.”

Pride Chiwaya, Mukuru’s Malawi country manager, sees the wallet as providing innovative, safe, and efficient payments solution.

Source: IT Web

The Africa Centre of Competence for Digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Skilling has been established in Kenya to act as an incubator for public sector innovation aimed at enhancing service delivery.

It is hosted in the Kenya School of Government in Nairobi, Kenya, and is a collaboration between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Kenyan government, and Microsoft.

“This will accelerate the continent’s transformation agenda enabled by digitalisation and adoption of emerging technologies like AI,” said John Tanui, Kenya’s principal secretary: state department for ICT and digital economy.

According to David Ombee, project communications officer at UNDP Kenya, the centre would serve as a hub for promoting innovation and improving civil servants’ digital and AI competences, capacities, and mindsets across Kenya and Africa.

“The goal is to equip public sector employees with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in a digital environment, drive innovation, and enhance public service delivery to propel Africa’s digital transformation agenda,” he said.

The AI centre is in line with the Kenya’s National Digital Master Plan 2022-2032, which aims to improve digital literacy among 300,000 public sector workers.

One of the centre’s most notable elements is the proposed Public Sector Innovation Fund, which will provide micro-grants to encourage public officials to apply their newly acquired digital abilities to solve real-world problems.

This fund is expected to encourage civil servants to build and implement innovative digital solutions that address the unique issues of their sector.

Source: IT Web

MTN Ghana’s Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, Adwoa Afriyie Wiafe, has emphasized the company’s dedication to sustainability through its Project Zero initiative and other initiatives outlined in its sustainability framework.

Ms. Adwoa Afriyie Wiafe made this statement during a media engagement in Accra to update the media on MTN’s operations and initiatives to improve connectivity and enhance customer experience, among others. She pointed out that MTN Ghana is committed to contributing to a more sustainable future and is implementing a variety of comprehensive strategies.

Adwoa Wiafe stated, “With respect to the environment, one key focus is the reduction of our carbon emissions to achieve net zero by 2040. MTN is therefore actively investing in solar and other renewable energy sources to power its operations, reducing its reliance on fossil fuels, and decreasing its carbon emissions.  The company is also optimizing its network infrastructure and equipment to reduce energy consumption, ensuring that our operations are more sustainable..”

She added, “In addition to these initiatives, MTN is working to promote sustainability within its supply chain. The company encourages its suppliers and partners to adopt more environmentally friendly practices, ensuring that its operations contribute to a more sustainable value chain.”

Project Zero aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040, aligning with the global effort to combat climate change. At the core of Project Zero lies MTN’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint and promoting sustainable practices.

MTN’s Project Zero is aligned with the Paris Climate Agreement to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C, UN SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy) and 13 (climate action). Project Zero leverages the latest technologies and service partners to enable business sustainability through greater energy efficiencies, low-carbon emissions, risk reduction, and cost control.

Source: businessghana.com

The National Communications Authority (NCA) has started implementing the ECOWAS “Free Roaming Initiative” to help reduce the cost of telecommunication services for citizens travelling outside Ghana.

The agreement currently among Ghana, Benin and Togo, would allow citizens in those countries to make and receive calls, send SMS, and access the internet, at an affordable rate by Mobile Network Operators. 

The Deputy Minister of Communication, Charles Acheampong, speaking at the launch in Accra, said the initiative would deepen the existing relationship among Ghana, Benin, and Togo. 

He noted that the “Free Roaming” initiative would enable “affordable and seamless” communication across the three West African borders and allow citizens to stay connected “without the burden of high roaming charges or the inconvenience of [owning] multiple SIM cards.” 

“By enabling affordable and seamless communication across our borders, we are not only enhancing the convenience of travel and business but also strengthening the social and economic fabric of our nations. 

“This initiative symbolises our dedication to advancing and strengthening regional integration within the ECOWAS community. It also reinforces the ECOWAS treaty’s ideals and demonstrates the effectiveness of collaboration,” he stated. 

Beyond communication, he said the arrangement would have a rippling effect on cross-border trade, economic activities, and encourage more travels within the ECOWAS sub-region. 

Mr. Acheampong called for “stability and security” of telecommunication networks while the ECOWAS “Free Roaming Initiative” was being implemented. 

“Cybersecurity threats are a reality in the digital age and it is incumbent upon us to implement robust measures to protect the privacy and data of our citizens. By working together, sharing best practices, and investing in technological advancements, we can create a secure and resilient regional communication ecosystem,” he said.

He commended implementing partners in Ghana, Benin and Togo, and urged other West African countries yet to implement the initiative to come on board. 

The Deputy Minister tasked stakeholders to adopt measures, including conducting customer surveys and establishing “Billing Feedback Systems” to monitor the success of the initiative. 

Dr Joe Anokye, Director General, NCA, said the Authority would monitor usage of the ECOWAS Free Roaming Initiative and gather feedback to inform future regulatory actions and decisions. 

Praising collaboration between the three countries, he said NCA and Mobile Telecommunication Companies would take steps to inform the public about the initiative. 

Mr Yaw Boamah Baafi, Vice Chair, ECOWAS Roaming Implementation Committee, Ghana, explained that that “Free Roaming Initiative” would last for 30 days or 300 minutes, as indicated in specific guidelines. 

He said aspects of the arrangement would allow citizens outside their home countries to receive calls without charges, and that discussions were ongoing in other African countries towards implementation of the initiative. 

Present at the launch were Mr Herve Guedegbe, Executive Secretary, ARCEP-Benin, Mr Michel Yaovi Galley, Director General of ARCEP-Togo, and representatives from telecommunication companies in Ghana, Benin and Togo, who shared their excitement about the initiative. 

Source: Graphic Online