Hisense has launched another major promotion dubbed—THE HISENSE PLUCK AND TAKE HOME PROMOTION. The event which was launched at their East Legon office is the second in the year, after their famous HISENSE EXCHANGE AND WIN PROMO on old Televisions. According to the Managing Director Dinah Abusuayedom Quarshie, the idea behind the promotion is to thank their customers for being a part of the Hisense family for the past 18months of their entry onto the Ghanaian Market. According to her, at this time of the year, it is important that corporate entities take stock of their activities and find innovative ways of rewarding their customers. ‘For us at Hisense even though our stay on the Ghanaian market has been short, compared to other industry players, we appreciate the trust the public has built in us and the consistency at which they have been patronizing our products and so this promotion is to thank and assure them of our continuous quality and timely service delivery to them.’ She emphasized. She said, ‘’as part of the modalities for this promotion, all customers, both new and old who buy any product from Hisense will have the opportunity of plucking away wonderful goddies that hang on the Christmas tree in the showroom or dealer shops. According to her, the gifts are not only limited to Hisense products, but some are also cash, which can be used to purchase more energy efficient Hisense products. Earlier in the year, Hisense launched the first ever digital televisions in Ghana at an impressive ceremony in Accra. With their free installation and great after sales service (REAL SERVICE) as well as their 5YEAR WARRANTY, which is the first not just in Ghana but in Africa, the brand is gradually becoming a household brand. The Corporate Sales Manager Mr. Bernard Erbin on his part said, Ghana became the 7th Country to represent the brand after South Africa, Egypt, Senegal, Benin, Algeria and Nigeria with an already vibrantly large workforce around the world. He said Hisense is known and enjoyed as a ‘’GRADE A’’ product all over the world, with their Regional headquarters located in North America, Europe, Australia, South Africa, and East Asia. With their range of products which includes Digital and Satellite, LED, LCD televisions, Air-conditioners, Fridges, Freezers, (both bar and table tops) Microwave oven, Toasters, Blenders, Kettles of all shapes and sizes, in exciting colors, he called on both individuals and corporate institutions to come do business with Hisense as they have great packages including Hire-purchase terms. The promotion which is going to last till the end of the year, will be an annual event on their calendar.
By Ekow Essabra-Mensah Sustainable job-creation will be the government’s main focus-agenda for next year, Paul Victor Obeng, Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), has affirmed. “Government is determined to enhance the environment for public and private sector investments and contribute to a more sustainable job-creation agenda. “The key measure is managing our public finances well to support major structural changes as we invest in sustainable growth, development and jobs -- with involvement of the businesses and households.†Mr. Obeng was speaking on behalf of the President John Mahama at the maiden Ghana Economic Outlook and Business Strategy Conference. It was organised by Ghana Investment Promotion Centre in collaboration with the ministries of Finance, and Trade and Industry, Dominion University College Business School, and the Africa Business Media. The event offered participants the opportunity to gain insights into the plans and projections of the economy’s managers, and also fostered healthy business networking discussions among CEOs from top corporate institutions in the country which constitute the Ghana Club 100. It was under the theme ‘Strategy for a Good Year 2013’. Outlining national strategic plans, Mr. Obeng explained that the outlook for 2013 is to pursue credible public debt policies to balance infrastructure development with debt sustainability. He reiterated that the economic outlook for 2013 and the near-term is positive and bright -- “provided we support them with bold government initiatives. “This has been an election year and, as we know, the exuberance of campaigning or subtle threats and signals to withhold or slowdown aid or grants and loans can worsen economic indicators. “Government has been decisive, nonetheless, and we will implement the long-term plans to grow the economy and create jobs.†He explained that government has embarked on credible integrated plans to renew existing infrastructure and invest in new; and that the main departure from the past is projects are now fully-funded and derived from the medium-term plan of the Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda. “Government will coordinate the activities of, and work through, institutions such as GIPC, Ghana Revenue Authority, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, and Ghana Civil Aviation Authority to make the environment for business operations attractive,†Mr. Obeng said. The President of the Dominion University College, Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, urged players of the private sector to feed their business plans into the country’s development plan. “Even though some businesses in Ghana have not aligned their plans with it since assumption of office by the government that ushered in the Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda (GSGDA) as a medium-term development strategy to replace the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRSII).†Dr. Spio-Garbrah indicated that feeding business plans to the country’s medium development strategy (GSGDA) will enable institutions to project into the incoming year. “For instance, the companies can forecast about inflation; the strength of the cedi; budget deficit, among others.†Chairman of the GIPC, Dr. Ishmael Yamson congratulated the organisers of the conference for their initiative. “The conference has indeed provided a platform for the business community to adequately strategise for the following year, based on the economic outlook as will be presented by a number of economic experts,†Dr. Yamson remarked.
By Kizito CUDJOE, Kumasi The Ashanti and Brong Ahafo members of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), in a bizarre circumstance, failed to turn-up for their 14th Regional Annual General Meeting held in Kumasi. The ceremony, which was slated to begin at 10 a.m., took off almost an hour and half late with only a handful of members in attendance. Ironically, most of the people present at the start of the event were non-members who had come to offer their support to the Association. Speaking at the ceremony which was organised under the theme “Effective decentralisation: the solution to the bane of business in the regionsâ€, Nana Barima Ansu-Adjei, former Regional Chairman of the Association, lamented extensively on the situation -- remarking that the President of AGI would have been deeply disappointed should he have honored the invitation and been present at the event. The renowned industrialist further questioned the lack of will by industrial operators to source funds made available by government and other international bodies, and mentioned a number of sources of funds where industrial operators could access financial support for their operations. He expressed worry about the failure over time to utilise the opportunity that has been offered to entrepreneurs in the country. He intimated that several concerns have been raised in the past over lack of support for the private sector from the state, and pointed out that very little can be achieved if members of the private sector do not avail themselves to make efficient use of efforts by successive governments and international monetary bodies to provide financial support. He further observed that if members of the private sector fail to form a strong and unified body to fight for the interest of its members, it will be almost impossible to guarantee growth of the sector. The former Regional Chairman appealed strongly to the private sector, particularly members of the AGI, to be informed about all sources of funding provided by government and other international bodies -- and duly apply to access funds made available to support their businesses. Mr. R. A. K. Nketia, Regional Chairman of AGI Ashanti and Brong Ahafo, drew the attention of government on the over-centralisation of the administrative system of the country in Accra; pointing out that the situation hampers the progress of industries and businesses within other regions of the country. He cited a report by the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, which posts that about 80% of businesses registered in the country since the discovery of oil in commercial quantities settle in the Greater Accra Region. Mr. Nketia was of the view that these figures clearly demonstrate how difficult business transactions in the other regions are -- thus compelling new and existing businesses to either locate or relocate to the Greater Accra Region, particularly Accra and Tema. To create an equal playing field for all businesses to operate regardless of their location in the country, he appealed passionately to authorities to strengthen regional offices of the various institutions and organisations that decide on business documentations as part of the decentralisation process.
By Patrick PAINTSIL From 2013, financial reports prepared by both private and public financial institutions without using the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) will not be recognised, Country Director of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Mr. Norman Williams has disclosed. This, he said, is part of sanctions being put in place to ensure strict adherence to the new accounting system to facilitate professionalism and transparency in financial accounting processes in the country. In this regard, Mr. Williams said ACCA will intensify its capacity building efforts to ensure that most accountants in the private and public sector get familiar with the IFRS. “Capacity building is our major problem now, but we intend to bridge this gap through frequent sensitisation workshops as we push to adopt the new accounting standard. “From next year, ACCA plans to go into the rural areas to update District Chief Executives (DCEs) on the project,†he said. Mr. Williams was speaking at a media round-table discussion for the visit of ACCA’s global President, Professor Barry Cooper, to the country to familiarise with ACCA executives and members. International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) has been designed as a common global language for business affairs to ensure that accounts prepared are understandable and comparable across international boundaries. The new standards have been introduced due to growing international shareholding and trade, and are particularly important for companies that have dealings in several countries. Professor Barry Cooper, global President of ACCA, said the outfit continues to play a significant role in development of the country’s economy through the provision of chartered accountants with strong financial backgrounds. “The contribution and significance of ACCA products should not be underestimated considering the strong economic potential of the country. He said the country is better-positioned to develop its potentials due to the favourable economic stability, and ACCA is committed toward achieving the aim through financial accounting contributions as well as strong collaborations and relationships. “There is great demand for accountants, for which ACCA is willing to partner the country in developing and training professional accountants as a way of contributing toward economic development of the country. “ACCA will continue to support accounting students in the country by providing readily available resources and materials as well as subsidies,†Prof. Cooper noted. ACCA is the global body for professional accountants and aims at offering business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management. The Association currently supports 154,000 members and 432,000 students in 170 countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business with the skills needed by employers. It also seeks to enhance the public value of accounting in society through international research, and takes a progressive stance on global issues to ensure accountancy as a profession continues to grow in reputation and influence.
Leading four-star hotel, Golden Tulip Accra, has engaged a new Executive Chef from France with worldwide experience whose assigned preoccupation will be to exploit his expertise in enhancing the delivery of delicious cuisine and gastronomy that emphasise the health needs of guests. Mr. Thierry Dieu, the new Executive Chef, comes on board with a vast experience in 5-star hotels in China, the Middle East and Europe. He is expected to provide a lot of development in the coming months -- in terms of new à la carte menus, new banquet menus and special theme evenings at the hotel’s restaurant and poolside. Mr. Thom Sheriff, the new General Manager of the hotel, disclosed this in an address when the hotel hosted about 100 representatives of its Golden Club members to a Gala dinner last weekend.Guests who made it to the event included the British High Commission, Israel Embassy, and Royal Netherlands Embassy. Others were Sollatek, Vinmar Gh. Ltd, Interplast and Unilever Ghana among others. Mr. Sheriff said guest and customer preferences are changing every day, and that Golden Tulip Accra has decided to make a difference in terms of guest and customer experience. He emphasised that the hotel’s highest goal is to work every day on optimising the experience of its guests and customers and turn them into loyal and raving fans, since they are the reason for the hotel’s success. Golden Tulip Accra, he reaffirmed, will prioritise the interests of the hotel’s clients and improve on its services; coupling this with adequate training of the hotel’s Staff to ensure maintenance of the quality and prompt service delivery the facility has been noted for over the past 21 years. He urged the hotel’s clients to come and experience what the new Executive Chef brings on board. Mr. Sheriff seized the opportunity to reintroduce some of the Key managerial staff in attendance to clients. They included Mrs. Bertha de Graft- Johnson, Sales and Marketing Manager; Mr. Sam Aduama, Technical Services Manager; Mr. Francis Deyegbe, Guest Services Manager; and Mr. Mark Gaskin, Xperience Manager. On her part, Mrs. Bertha de Graft-Johnson underscored the importance of the annual event in the hotel’s calendar; describing it as a means to interact with guests to get their feedback and give clients an opportunity to personally know management team-members in order to enhance relations.
The first Africa CEO forum, a high-level meeting for the African private sector, has been held in Geneva in the presence of 560 delegates from 32 countries, including more than 300 leaders of major private African enterprises. Approximately 100 investors and financiers, among the most influential in Africa, as well as dignitaries from Africa and the rest of the world attended the event. The opening ceremony was co-chaired by Donald Kaberuka, President of the African Development Bank Group, and Amir Ben Yahmed, Vice-President of the Jeune Afrique Group. The meeting was an opportunity to discuss what is needed to boost African development through the dynamics of growth offered by the continent’s private sector. According to Ben Yamed, one of the major objectives of the forum was to facilitate discussions to ensure African countries find themselves at the forefront of growing emerging economies, supported by a strong private sector managed by internationally recognised leaders. President Kaberuka held a similar perspective: “Africa has entered the 21st Century determined to throw back shackles of poverty, to converge with the rest of the world, to get the African Lions into the same territory as the Asian Tigers.†This forum falls perfectly in line with the AfDB mission in its bid “to do more in supporting and promoting the private sectorâ€. Moreover, the Africa CEO Forum is an ideal platform for the Bank to exchange ideas and reinforce its ties with private sector leaders. A better understanding of African private-sector initiatives, enabling the exchange of ideas and different viewpoints, while creating the conditions for an ongoing dialogue with private business people -- these are the aspirations of Donald Kaberuka, who proposed “the establishment of an External Consultative Committee of private sector leaders with whom I will readily work hand-in-handâ€. Ben Ahmed also expressed confidence in the future of this initiative: “The aim of the Africa CEO Forum is to showcase this new, energetic, African private sector, which envies nothing of its counterparts in other emerging economies.†The Vice-President of the World Bank for the African Region, Makhtar Diop, echoed those sentiments: “This Forum is a confirmation that Africa needs its private sector leaders. The World Bank considers the private sector as a major partner in the development of African countries as a whole.†Organised by the Jeune Afrique Group in partnership with the AfDB, the Africa CEO Forum called on all participants to come up with answers to questions raised in four plenary meetings chaired by eminent African and international personalities. This ambitious programme was completed during the two-day meeting, including nine thematic conferences which offered ready-made toolkits for CEOs on the latest management trends: international development strategy, access to capital, regional integration, public-private sector dialogue, an in-depth explanation of the legal environment, as well as skills management.
TekSol Limited, a software development company, has introduced its newest microfinance software named TekSol EasyBank3 (TEB3) to its existing and potential customers in Accra. The Chief Executive Officer, Teksol, Louis Amenyo Adanuty, said microfinance is still in its growth stage in country and there is a need to build the capacities of microfinance institutions to better manage their businesses and offer better services to customers. He said microfinance loans tend to have high interest rates in order to recover the high costs of loan administration, saying Information and communication technologies (ICT) can allow micro finance institutions (MFIs) to lower the cost of loan administration, and thus offer more affordable and flexible loan products to clients. In addition, he said ICT can also help MFIs to expand their service coverage by providing logical, strategic and analytical support. Adanuty said the introduction of a comprehensive banking software solution like EasyBank3 will enable administrative costs of microfinance institutions' operations to be lowered drastically. This will be accompanied by faster services, better control of fraud, improved records and management reports. “It is estimated that microfinance institutions with more than 1000 clients/members are sufficiently large to make computerisation of operations an economic proposition. “TEB3, which is a secured and responsive web-based banking system, was developed in consultation with microfinance industry executives and experts with enviable track-records to solve the challenges faced by non-bank financial institutions in their operations. “It enables clear, competitive differentiation by addressing the customer-facing needs of financial services enterprises. The EasyBankR3 solution is a highly flexible, best-in-class suite of CRM applications that are easily adapted to model the business practices which make each company unique,†he said. He said the TEB3 software suite includes a powerful application platform and additional capabilities in analytics, mobile CRM, financial management and marketing automation. TEB3 is designed to promote efficiency and profitability and to reduce stress involved in management of financial records. He assured all microfinance institutions and the Ghana microfinance Association of the company's preparedness to partner the sector to help promote microfinance in Ghana and the sub-region.
Softclans Technologies Limited, a global ICT solutions provider, has introduced a range of software to provide timely and cost-effective solutions to insurance practice. The products were unveiled during the West African Insurance Companies Association (WAICA) two-day educational conference in Accra. A market leader in information technology, the software firm provides comprehensive customised financial systems solutions and services to all business sectors using a variety of architectures -- whether on the web platform or on a client server-stand-alone application. Under insurance, the company’s products include the Life Assurance Management System which manages individual or group’s life businesses, and the General Business System, a non-life application that addresses insurance business from proposals to reinsurance. The system is currently being used by Provident Insurance Company Limited and Glico Insurance Ghana Limited. Aside from insurance, Softclans has software for managing finance and accounts such as the General Ledger System, a multi-currency and multi-user application supporting multi-level chart of accounts, sub-account analysis for specific accounts as well as multi-branches to identify source of transaction and cost-centre analysis. Softclans’ products target the African market, supplying high quality software products and services to clients with offices in Nairobi, Kenya and Accra, Ghana. There is also the Payroll software, which has been developed using a client server model and is highly parameterised to enable user-customisation to fit most operational environments; and the Mobile agent System, a mobile application system that aids insurance companies receive new client information, such as payment information for their policies from agents in the field, in a timely and cost-effective manner. Softclans also provide software for Customer Relationship Systems (CRM), Human Resource Systems, and Asset Management. The company also provides outsourcing services in the area of aviation through its Safety Oversight Facilitated Integration Application (SOFIA), a secure web-based software solution for management and issue of pilot licences, qualifications, English proficiency, licence limitations, endorsements and privileges and licence renewal. It is also effective for management of personal medical certification, registration of operators and issuance of air operator and operations specifications certificates; and also managing aircraft operator history as well as the registration of aircraft, logging aircraft ownership history, managing aircraft status data, issuance of certificates of registration and airworthiness, and handling certificate renewals.
By Benson AFFUL About 3,629 beneficiaries have acquired knowledge in dressmaking and hairdressing as part of the trade and vocation module of the Ghana Youth Employment Development Agency (GYEEDA). Mr. Henry Kangah, Executive Director, Asongtaba Cottage Industry and Exchange Programme (ACI&EP), said the youth have been identified by government as a resource-base with a huge potential to contribute significantly to economic development of the country. Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the beneficiaries, he said tapping into the potentials of the youth to contribute to national development can be realised through a well-defined public-private partnership (PPP), which has been exemplified in the relationship between GYEEDA and ACI&EP; saying creating jobs and opportunities for the youth of the country is therefore the priority of the partnership. “The role of Asongtaba is to facilitate and oversee the training of beneficiary youth in various vocations, with the overall goal of making them economically independent and socially productive. “For the training period, particularly the dressmaking project has been extended to one year due to the volume of training modules to be covered. The extension is meant to allow beneficiaries grasp very well the essentials of dressmaking before venturing into the world of work,†he said. In a speech read on his behalf, the National Coordinator of GYEEDA said the beneficiaries who are graduating, apart from been equipped with important skills, will also be set up in sustainable business units to provide direct and auxiliary employment avenues for the youth who find themselves with skills and interest. In addition, he said in propelling the agenda of youth entrepreneurship, steps have been initiated to harness the immense benefits of PPP toward resolving the youth employment situation in the country. He said the World Bank has agreed to finance the youth enterprise project, which according to him will bring together youth groups who have brilliant business ideas and proposals to be supported in starting and growing their businesses into sustainable ventures.
Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Communications, has inaugurated 10 mobile communication towers built by K-NET and providing service on the Tigo network in rural areas in Ghana. Speaking at one of the sites in Botoku in the Volta Region, Mr. Iddrisu commended both K-NET and Tigo for their initiative -- together with the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication (GIFEC) which funded the project. Mr. Iddrisu also said that he expects the advent of these facilities in rural areas will attract investors, open-up more business opportunities, and enhance teaching and learning in schools. K-NET Limited -- one of the country’s leading network solution providers operating throughout Ghana and sub-Saharan Africa together with strategic partners Altobridge, Ameresco Solar, iDirect and Tigo -- is bringing first-time mobile voice and data connectivity to rural communities in Ghana and beyond. K-NET and its partners have developed a highly innovative solution that is optimised for rural applications and reduces the total cost of ownership by up to 65% compared to a conventional solution; meaning that rural communities with relatively low population densities of less than 1,500 people may now be served profitably by mobile network operators. Each communication tower can serve an area of up to 300 Km2, potentially covering several townships. Currently, 143,000Km2 (60%) of the land area and 5 million of the population (20%) of Ghana have no mobile coverage. The 10 rural communication towers implemented to date by K-NET have experienced substantial levels of traffic and very strong growth, of more than 25%, since the last one was completed at the end of July 2012. Some of the towers are now carrying more than 250,000 minutes of voice traffic each month, and more than 15,000 SMS messages. The K-NET- led partnership to develop the low-cost solution includes the provision of a 2G or 3G Base Station Subsystem by Altobridge; the provision of a Solar Power Solution by Ameresco Solar; and the provision of satellite communication equipment by iDirect together with mobile network operator Tigo. In addition to the turnkey system integration, K-NET uses its state-of-the-art Teleport at McCarthy Hill in Accra to provide the communication links between each remote site and the central switching network of the mobile operator, Tigo. K-NET provides the network management and operations and maintenance services for the network. The advanced BSS equipment from Altobridge optimises capacity for the rural environment and reduces power consumption to less than one twentieth (5%) of a conventional implementation. This enables a highly-efficient solar-based power system from Ameresco Solar to be used, which offers substantially lower running costs than a conventional power system with diesel generator backup. Mr. Michael Darcy, CEO of K-NET, said: “K-NET is proud to be working with GIFEC, Tigo and its other partners to bring mobile services to rural communities such as Botoku, enriching the quality of life for individuals and enabling small businesses to operate more efficiently.â€
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS