Telecom companies have appealed to government to remove the 20 percent import tax on mobile handsets in order to make end-user telecom gadgets more affordable. The President of Ghana Telecoms Chamber Kwaku-Sakyi Addo explained: “government should seriously consider removing the 20 per cent import duty on handsets; it will increase affordability of telecoms products; that, in turn, will lead to usage and will, increase tax revenue from Communication Service Tax.” Prior to parliament imposing the

President John Dramani Mahama has said that businesses need a stable and predictable investment environment, especially in a time of economic uncertainty, to continue generating employment and creating wealth. This, he said, calls for broad discussion to encourage investment issues such as dispute settlement in international investment agreements; the rising importance of international investments by state-owned enterprises; and how public-private partnership including co-investment by host states

Ghana Commercial Bank Limited (GCB) has launched a three-month promotion to sponsor 30 of its customers to support the national team at the World Cup in Brazil. The promo is dubbed “GCB 30 TO BRAZIL” and is in collaboration with the National Lotteries Authority (NLA). The three-month promo started from March 12, 2014 and will end on May 31, 2014. The more multiples of GH₵1,000 topped-up and maintained in one’s account, the more points one earns to enter the draw -- and the better the customer’s

Treasury Rates:  Treasury Title: 91 - DayValue: 22.89 Treasury Title: 182 - DayValue: 21.11 Treasury Title: 1 - Yr NoteValue: 20.00 Treasury Title: 2 - Yr Fixed Rate NoteValue: 20.00

GSE :  GSE Title: Prev (12/03/2014)GSE-CI: 2 411.14GSE-FSI: 2 140.72 GSE Title: Cur (13/03/2014)GSE-CI: 2 396.21GSE-FSI: 2 396.21 GSE Title: CYTD (01/01/13 - 13/03/2014)GSE-CI: 11.70GSE-FSI: 19.78 Market Capitalisation: Friday, March 14, 2014Ghc ammount: 58,615.75 million

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is determined to exceed its collection target this year by 41.9% -- it has been charged to collect GH₵18,650.43 million. The break down is: domestic tax GH8, 476.99 million, domestic indirect tax GH₵2,741.51 million as well as Customs GH₵7,431.93 million. “Last year was a particularly challenging one for revenue mobilisation in the country, which was a reflection of the general challenges faced by the economy -- out of a revenue target of GH₵15,609.52million,

Headline inflation kept its upward trend in February, rising to 14 percent from 13.8 percent in January, the Ghana Statistical Service has said. The rate rose for the sixth straight month and is the highest in four years. It was driven by higher fuel prices, mainly kerosene and transport, and higher dairy costs. Price changes in housing, water and electricity also drove the index. Food and non-food inflation shot up to 7.5 percent, and 19 percent respectively said Dr. Philomena Nyarko, Government

Stakeholders in the mining industry have condemned the increasing negative and erroneous perceptions about the mining industry, which they say sometimes informs government’s policy on the industry. Recently, the mining industry has come under intense scrutiny following concerns that the host communities are not reaping any benefits since they are deprived of crucial development projects, such as poor unmotorable roads, lack of potable water and other basic amenities. However, the industry has contributed

The poor macroeconomic situation, not greedy banks, is responsible for the high cost of credit, senior bankers declared at the Ghana Economic Forum (GEF) on Tuesday. In one of the main highlights of the forum, the bankers were quizzed about why loan finance is so expensive in Ghana despite an increase in the number of banks and the rapid expansion of the industry. The lending rate of banks, which is more than 25 percent on average, is a nightmare for start-ups and businesses seeking finance for fresh