In an interview on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem he revealed that he was not surprised by his win, attributing it to several factors, including his opponent’s character.

According to Rev. Addo, the incumbent, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, lost her seat due to her behaviour and inability to connect with the people.

According to him, public sentiment on the ground indicated that, her character played a significant role in her defeat.

“People were thanking me for unseating her. From the feedback I received, many said she was proud and didn’t know how to relate to the people,” he added.

Rev. Addo also attributed his win to his own approach to engaging with the electorate.

He stated that his conduct and accessibility made a difference, giving the NDC an edge in the race.

“It was my approach and how I related to the people that helped me win,” he said.

Regarding the unrest that followed the election, Rev. Addo condemned the actions of individuals who ransacked the home of Ursula Owusu-Ekuful.

He clarified that those responsible were not NDC members.

“Those who went to the assembly to attack the place were not members of our party. It is unfortunate that some people were involved in this incident. We should not tolerate such behaviour.”

He called on his supporters to be vigilant and maintain peace.

“Even those causing mayhem are not from our constituency. We must be our brother’s keeper and report anyone causing confusion to the police.”

Rev. Addo also expressed his gratitude to the people of Ablekuma West for giving him the opportunity to serve.

“I thank the people for believing in me and giving me this chance to serve them,” he said.

Rev. Kweku Addo won with 31,866 votes, defeating the Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, who garnered 26,575 votes.

ALSO READ:

2024 Elections: Chairman Wontumi breaks silence on NPP’s defeat [Watch]

His pride made him lose the elections – Tubazu on Henry Quartey defeat

No honeymoon for Mahama – Ben Boakye

Reports suggest an unidentified group ransacked the Communication Minister’s office stealing several items and causing significant damage.

Accra-based Citi News reported the incident occurred around 1:17 PM on Monday, December 9, 2024.

The stolen items include an undisclosed amount of cash, a branded Nissan Hardbody vehicle, a television set, a printer, two stabilizers, mobile phones, food supplies, and three brand-new motorbikes.

The perpetrators also vandalized CCTV cameras, barbed wire, and the office door during the break-in.

It is however not clear if the incident is connected to her defeat in the just-ended general election.

The Minister was seeking re-election for the fourth time following her first electoral victory in 2012.

However, the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Rev Addo emerged victorious with 31,866 votes while Mrs Owusu-Ekuful secured 26,575.

• NPP alleges attack on Ursula Owusu, Tolon MP’s house [Audio]

• Ursula Owusu-Ekuful loses Ablekuma West seat

She noted that the app, along with other e-government initiatives, empowers citizens to directly access public services from their smartphones, enhancing efficiency and transparency in service delivery.

Speaking at the launch of the Ghana Digital Economy Policy on November 28 in Accra, the Minister spotlighted the Ghana.gov platform, which is a unified portal designed to streamline access to government services.

“This platform has been expanded to include the CitizenApp, recently launched by the Vice President. The app enables users to access public services conveniently from their mobile devices at home or in the office. No more ‘goro boys’ [middlemen],” she said.

Owusu-Ekuful emphasized that the new policy builds on existing digital initiatives and sets the framework for future advancements.

“Ghana’s digital agenda aims to ensure equal access to broadband internet across the country. We have implemented policies to provide public and private digital services to all communication users, irrespective of their service providers.

“While many digital initiatives preceded the launch of this policy, it will consolidate the progress made and chart a strategic path for the future,” she added.

The Minister described the new policy as both timely and vital for Ghana’s ongoing digital transformation efforts.

“This digital economy policy is not only timely but essential for addressing the realities of the digital transformation we are pursuing.”

She also expressed appreciation to former President John Agyekum Kufuor, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for their contributions to the strides made in the digital space.

READ ALSO:

• Free dialysis initiative is not for votes – Dr. Kwabena Nuamah to critics
• I can’t force Speaker to recall Parliament – Afenyo-Markin
• Legal tips: Did you know that you can be sued for failing to keep a promise to marry?

According to her, members of the NPP in the Ablekuma West constituency are ready and willing to vote for her to retain the seat for the party.

In her view, her works will demonstrate her commitment to her constituency.

When asked if she visits her constituency, she confirmed that she does, often at night.

“I normally visit my constituency at night. Once in a while, I appear in an area, but as we have other duties, we try hard to do well. As much as I would love to interact with the people, I try to attend social meetings and gatherings. Since we are campaigning, I normally tour the constituencies to interact with the people,” she said in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Thursday.

The Communications Minister said she has made Ablekuma West constituency a traditional stronghold of the NPP and she is ready, together with her constituents and supporters, to maintain that for a long time.

Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful remains hopeful that when it’s time to vote, her constituents will recognize the developmental works she has done and support her accordingly.

ALSO READ:

I want to marry a man who will worship me – Ahuofe Patricia

Ambulance case: Former MP threatens demo against Akufo-Addo over AG [Audio] 

Fisheries Ministry announces 2024 closed season

According to her, Ghana is not the only country facing difficulties; other nations are also suffering.

Therefore, she said it is unfair to blame all problems solely on Ghana.

She made this known in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Thursday.

The Communications Minister noted that, people often talk as if Ghana is the only country with challenges, forgetting that it is part of the global community and affected by global events.

“We talk as though Ghana is the only one facing challenges. We are not an island, and so whatever happens globally affects us.” she noted.

According to her, the Akufo-Addo government is changing lives and making a positive impact.

Although they have not achieved 100% of their goals, the Communications Minister said they have still performed well.

Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful acknowledged that there is always room for improvement, but she believes it is unfair to claim that the NPP government has done nothing.

In her view, the Akufo-Addo administration has made significant strides in education, particularly with the Free SHS program.

ALSO READ:

Bawumia calls for strategic private sector partnerships to boost national development

Reduce Presidential power – Bawumia

Ernest Frimpong champions rural electrification in Amenfi East

According to her, she has never been a beneficiary as it is being alleged by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Minority leader, Dr Cassiel Ato who made the claim said each NPP MP has been given 30 slots ahead of the December elections.

He emphasised the need for transparency and fairness in recruitment processes within the security sector.

But Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Thursday said she is not a beneficiary of the purported recruitment slot.

She indicated that, over the past seven years as Member of Parliament, she has secured jobs for her constituents especially the youth irrespective of their political affiliations.

“Over the 7 to 8 years, we have tried to secure jobs for the youth. We really don’t ask if they are NPP members or not, as we supported them regardless of their party affiliation. Were you expecting that we go for foreigners and look for jobs for them? We are still supporting the youth; those who want financial support for school, we have them at heart. We have supported all,” she said.

The Ablekuma West Member of Parliament stressed her commitment to support Ghanaian youth to secure jobs or scholarships to further their education.

“Since they are all Ghanaians, they are all supposed to get that opportunity.” she said.

ALSO READ:

We’ll file motion to demand inquiry into recruitment into security services – Minority

Ato Forson dares Henry Quartey to name persons NDC MPs brought for recruitment into…

I will resign if … Henry Quartey clashes with Kofi Adams over NDC’s recruitment…

Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful explained that, the company was specifically created for this purpose because there was no existing neutral infrastructure company capable of handling the rollout at that time.

At a press briefing on the 5G rollout, she elaborated on the government’s rationale for this decision.

She noted that, auctioning the contract was not pursued due to previous experiences and setbacks that had hindered the rollout of the country’s 4G technology. Since its introduction in 2015, 4G has only achieved a 15% nationwide penetration.

The Minister highlighted that the challenges faced during the 4G rollout influenced the government’s approach to the 5G deployment.

According to her, by directly awarding the contract to a newly created entity, the government aims to avoid similar obstacles and expedite the implementation process for the 5G network.

The Ablekuma West Member of Parliament provided insight into the government’s strategic decision-making process, emphasising the need for a dedicated infrastructure company to ensure the successful and timely rollout of 5G technology across the country.

“This is a special purpose vehicle and once the government took the decision that we will use a neutral infrastructure company to deliver this service, there is no existing neutral infrastructure company that can deliver it at the moment.”

“So, it had to be specifically formed for the purpose of delivering this service based on the strategic policies and decisions of the government, and it is borne out of our experiences and that is why we chose not to auction it,”she stated.

This confirmation coincides with concerns raised by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni regarding the contract awarded to NextGen InfraCo Ltd.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, May 30, Awuni pointed out that the company was incorporated barely a week before President Akufo-Addo granted executive approval for the deal.

Mr Awuni pointed out that the contract, which experts estimate to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars, was awarded through sole sourcing, without giving other companies the opportunity to bid for the project.

He maintained that the lack of competitive bidding raises suspicions about the transparency and fairness of the procurement process.

Government to roll out 5G services by the end of 2024

Before Manasseh Azure’s claim, the government had announced a partnership with seven industry leaders to develop a new shared infrastructure aimed at delivering affordable 5G mobile broadband services across Ghana.  The seven partners include Ascend Digital, K-NET, Radisys, Nokia, Tech Mahindra, and two telecommunications companies – AT Ghana and Telecel Ghana.

Government said these partners have formed the Next-Gen Infrastructure Company (NGIC), which has been awarded a 5G license. NGIC is expected to launch 5G services across Ghana within the next six months, with plans for further expansion into other parts of Africa.

The government said NGIC will be the first entity to build a nationwide 4G/5G network, and it will collaborate with telcos to introduce affordable 4G/5G-enabled fixed wireless access (FWA) customer premises equipment (CPE) and smartphones in Ghana this year.

The partnership aims to enhance the lives of Ghanaians by introducing digital services in education, healthcare, and digital payment transactions through peer-to-peer (P2P), peer-to-merchant (P2M), and merchant-to-merchant (M2M) systems.

This initiative is expected to reduce the digital divide and promote financial inclusion.

Moreover, the multi-party partnership will support NGIC in the comprehensive deployment of network infrastructure and related services.

Communications service providers (CSPs) aim to address both enterprise and consumer markets with enhanced digital services.

To facilitate this, Tech Mahindra will build a Cloud Native Core Network powered by leading original equipment manufacturer (OEM) platforms.

NGIC plans to adopt India’s successful model of affordable handsets, digital platforms, and localized content and applications. The objective is to replicate this high-speed mobile data model across Africa, starting with Ghana.

ALSO READ:

• Manasseh drops bombshell on company awarded 5G contract 

• Govt to roll out 5G services by the end of 2024

The Minister is also expected to brief Parliament on the government’s efforts to prevent any future occurrences of internet blackouts.

This directive follows the widespread outage experienced by several internet service providers in the early hours of Thursday, March 14 and which has since not been fully restored. Subsequently, both the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and the National Communications Authority issued statements reporting an undersea fibre optic disruption affecting internet services.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Friday, March 15, the North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa who demanded that Mrs Owusu-Ekuful appears before the House emphasised that the disruption is massive.

He expressed concerns over the lack of clarity regarding the extent of the damage, highlighting the frustrations experienced by citizens in various daily activities, including financial services and bank transactions.

“It’s even a national security issue. Mr Speaker, I note from the business statement that fortunately for us, the honourable minister responsible for Communications and Digitalization is expected in this House on Monday, the 18th of March, 2024, to answer two questions that are not related to this matter. 

“So I want to appeal to you if you can give a ruling that the honourable Minister, when coming to respond to these questions, shall come with a statement on this very important matter of national significance and what the government is doing to help restore normalcy so that we can have access to the internet and to our data services,” he said.

Similarly, the MP for Asawase constituency in the Ashanti Region, Muntaka Mubarak criticised the Minister’s delay in briefing Parliament on the situation.

He highlighted the need for proactive communication from government officials to address public concerns and prevent speculation.

“For me, even Monday [March 18] is looking far because this thing started yesterday in the morning like a joke. Then in the evening, it was coming back and up to now it’s not stable. Nobody knows what’s happening and the minister doesn’t find it necessary to run to this House to brief us on the reason for the country to know what is happening and give some assurances. Mr Speaker, it’s worrying,” he stressed.

However, the Majority Leader Alexander, Afenyo-Markin assured MPs that he had been in contact with the Communications Minister and they had agreed that she would present a statement on the situation to Parliament on Monday, March 18.

“The Minister for Communication reached out to me yesterday and indicated that she wanted to come today to make a statement on that. Meanwhile, I drew her attention to the fact that she is supposed to appear before us on Monday.

“So the understanding was that she would come on Monday instead and then do it all together. So members be assured that this will be done on Monday. So she will be here,” Afenyo-Markin stated.

Yaw Dankwah, counsel for Daniel Asiedu aka Sexy Don Don who is standing trial for the murder of the late Abuakwa North MP wondered why Police investigators “never disclosed the involvement” of Mrs Owusu-Ekuful.

Prosecution witnesses have disclosed that the Minister for Communications and Digitalisation was said to have driven two of the prosecution’s Witnesses (PW3 and PW4) in her car to Kanda and handed them over to the police.

The said witnesses are the both mobile phone repairers at Dansoman who were in court as third and fourth Prosecution Witnesses.

Sexy Don Don has pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder and robbery.

He, together with Vincent Bossu, alias Junior Agoogo have pleaded not guilty to the charge of conspiracy to rob and are standing trial while in lawful custody.

During further cross-examination on Monday, March 11, Yaw Dankwah wondered why the Minister did not give a statement to the Police.

Lawyer Dankwah asked Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Augustus Nkrumah if per his investigation he came “across the name Ursula Owusu.”

But, in his response, ASP Nkrumah, the 8th Prosecution Witness answered in the negative saying “No.”

“Per your investigations did it become very clear that it was Ursula Owusu who poked PW3 (Kenneth Koranchie) & PW4 (Mobile Phone repairer) in her car and she drove all the way from Dansoman to Kanda Highway and handed them over to the police officers,” Lawyer Dankwah enquired.

He was quick to ask the Investigator whether his investigation revealed that.

But the Witness in his response said, “that was the briefing we got from the regional CID.”

Lawyer Dankwah again went on further to put to the Investigator that, it was true that, “you never when you took over the investigation with your team invited Ursula Owusu to give a statement.”

In his response, the Investigator said, “as I have told the Court, it was an investigation team and I don’t take decisions on my own.”

“It is also true that when you and your team and likewise your bosses whom you take instructions from never disclose the involvement of Ursula Owusu who took your witnesses (PW3 and PW4) to hand them over to a police officer at Kansa Highway,” lawyer Yaw Dankwah put to the Investigator.

The investigator added, “That fact had been cleared in this court that during the briefing she was the one that took them to the police (at Kanda) and I have told this Court.”

The case has been adjourned to March 12, 2024, for continuation.

ALSO READ:

• JB Danquah’s trial: Lawyer for suspect accuse Police of withholding critical information 

• Latest update on JB Danquah killer’s case

According to her, ministers are only “agents” appointed to oversee a sector of the government’s business.

The Minister said she has no issues with the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia touting the achievements of her Ministry in his campaign messages.

Rather, Mrs Owusu-Ekuful said credit should go to President Akufo-Addo and the government.

“I am working for the President and the government. I have been given a responsibility to oversee the sector. I don’t take credit for the work that I have done in that sector. I am proud that he gave me the opportunity to serve. Ghanaians voted for Akufo-Addo so if Bawumia says we have done a lot in the digital sector, he has every right to,” she said on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Monday.

Watch video below:

According to her, Dr. Bawumia has never been a President therefore cannot be compared to Mr. Mahama who led the country for almost five years.

Ursula Owusu-Ekuful in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme on Monday stated that, Dr. Bawumia’s record as Vice President and his vision for the country sets him apart.

“There is no basis for comparison between Bawumia and John Mahama. Bawumia is only a Vice President, John Mahama has led the country before and we know what he did. If we should evaluate both governments, the Akufo–Addo–Bawumia government will top the charts,” she said.

Watch video below:

Her contender, Roni Kwesi Nicol accused her of campaigning delegates at the Christian Home Centre in Dansoman in breach of party protocols.

The NPP issued directives against the camping and transportation of delegates to voting centers to ensure a free and fair elections.

Camping of delegates has become one of the commonly used strategies in party elections as a means to ostensibly influence voting.

But the Minister for Communications and Digitilisation in an interview on Adom TV fought off the allegations, stating there is no iota of truth in the allegation.

“We use the terms loosely without understanding. I have only provided breakfast for them but when people are losing, they make allegations to discredit their opponent,” she said.

According to her, all she did as a considerate MP was to prepare breakfast for the delegates before the election which is being shared at Christian Home.

“If someone who is not visionary didn’t anticipate that delegates will be hungry and didn’t make provisions, I did to show maturity. Or is the allegation out of the fear that I am winning?” she quizzed.

ALSO READ:

• NPP issues directives against camping, transportation of delegates

• NPP primaries: Hackman Owusu-Agyemang’s name missing in voter register

According to her, members of the NPP in the Ablekuma West constituency are ready and willing to vote for her to retain the seat for the party.

Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful said this after successfully going through vetting and picking the first position on the ballot paper.

“Members of the party have indeed identified me, again, as the best potential to retain the seat. I have accepted to lead them as their parliamentary candidate for 2024. This is because they have seen in me such leadership qualities which I have exhibited over the years, and they are confident that with me as their candidate, victory is guaranteed. It’s Possible Together”.

She added, “I am most appreciative of the party leadership’s efforts to ensure a smooth vetting process in preparation for the parliamentary primaries for current members of parliament on January 27, 2024. My conviction is that the NPP will emerge victorious from this process. Numéro uno!! Always the head and never the tail by His matchless grace”.

According to her, she had made Ablekuma West constituency a traditional stronghold for the NPP and she is ready, together with her constituents and supporters, to maintain that for a long time.

The New Patriotic Party will on January 27 hold its primaries to select candidates that will lead the party in the various constituencies for the December 7 elections.

Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful is of the view that, members especially delegates of the NPP in the Ablekuma West Constituency have high hopes for her as they have seen the good works she has been doing in the constituency.

She also promised to continue providing employment opportunities, start-up capitals to the youth and women and ensure the construction of quality roads in the constituency.

The constituency had so far benefitted from numerous initiatives by the MP including scholarships, small loans, skills acquisition for the youth, provision of ICT Labs, and road construction projects.

The Vetting Committee which was chaired by the National Women’s Organizer of the party, Kate Gyamfua commended Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful for her contributions to the party in her capacities as Minister and MP.

Clad in a white dress, the MP was flanked by two females and walked towards delegates who were in a queue to exercise their franchise.

Mrs Ekuful’s presence brought to bear the rapport that exists between her and the constituents which chanted Mama 1.

However, in line with her support for Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who is number two on the ballot sheet, a delegate suggested she is called Mama 2 instead.

The change was quickly accepted by the delegates who began chanting Mama 2, causing the MP to laugh.

ALSO READ:

• NPP decides: Names of some delegates allegedly missing in Awutu Senya East

• NPP decides: Voting underway [Photos]

Watch the video below:

NPP Presidential Primaries: Ursula Owusu arrives to cast her vote. #ElectionHQ pic.twitter.com/sFkQfSeTEl

— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) November 4, 2023

Mr Adams said the Minister is also noted for making allegations without supporting them with evidence

According to him, some time ago, the Minister in an interview with one of JoyNews’ sister stations referred to former President John Mahama as “dzulor” (a thief), without providing any evidence.

“This is somebody that is noted for calling others names that she has no evidence for. I agree two wrongs don’t make a right but let’s state that clearly that this is someone who is also noted for that,” he said on JoyNews’ AM show on Thursday.

In a heated debate on the anti-LGBTQ+ bill in parliament yesterday, the minister of communication and digitalisation, Ursula Owusu also stood to debunk claims by Tamale Central MP, Murtala Mohammed that she was a practitioner of LGBTQ+.

In an angry tone, the minister asked if the MP could confirm that she had engaged in such a practice with his, daughter, mother or wife.

Her arguments of which some were seemingly characterized by subtle insults were retracted.

However, MP for Buem, Kofi Adams argues that the claim that she is a practitioner of lgbtq+ was an indication by herself some time ago according to various news portals.

“Well, was he speaking facts or he was just conjecturing? Words may have their own meaning. If you pick, there are a lot of reports and I was just reading through a Ghana Web report of 2021 29th April, that reported that the minister for communication and digitalisation is said to have given indication that she experimented with what they describe as ‘supisupi’ then but it was titled lesbianism which I didn’t want to even mention. Was that what Murtala?

Mr Adams added that since the publications have since not been changed and that the minister herself has not reacted to them, someone “in this state could decide to extrapolate it.”

Meanwhile, he has also explained that since the MP for Tamale Central did not make the allegation while speaking through the microphone, it becomes difficult for the speaker to order that such an utterance be expunged from the records.

ALSO READ:

• Women must report men who force anal sex on them to the police –…

• It’s a case of who the cap fits; I never said Ursula is an…

• Anti-LGBTQ bill debate: Did you catch me having intercourse with your wife? – Ursula…

A Cybersecurity Analyst has called on the National Communication Authority (NCA) to urgently introduce a universal code to help Ghanaians check how many SIM cards their Ghana cards are linked to.

According to Isaac Ampah Obo, the NCA as the outfit sponsoring and managing the SIM card registration process must be up and doing.

“This shortcode should help us monitor and know the number of SIM cards we have registered with the Ghana card to be able to trace any cyber fraud” he stated..

The Cybersecurity Analyst also urged the Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu and the National Identification Authority (NIA) not to exempt themselves but work collectively for the greater good of Ghanaians.

“We should not treat this in a vacuum or act adamant. Issues of cyber fraud are serious because it can happen to everyone including a government appointee and ruin a person’s reputation,” he admonished.

Mr. Obo made the call on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem Tuesday, after some listeners exposed suspected fraudulent SIM registration activities.

Some listeners revealed that, they were told by their telcos their SIM cards had already been registered even when they were yet to start the process.

ALSO READ:

Court throws out case against SIM Card registration

Sam George insists Voter ID will be used for SIM card registration

Mobile network subscribers can use their Ghana Card to register a total number of 10 SIM cards across all networks while foreigners have a limit of three networks.

However, some listeners who called into the show said an attempt to even register a third SIM failed as they were told they had exceeded the limit.

Samuel Nartey George has disclosed that the Minister has unofficially asked Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to curtail some services on SIM cards not completely registered. 

According to him, this directive is for the MNOs to block data services for SIMs that have undergone the first stage of the two-staged registration process but not done with the second stage. 

This decision, Mr George said is uninformed and must be reversed. 

The outspoken lawmaker said the directive by the Minister means she does not understand the industry she leads. 

“I have noted with renewed concern your ‘unofficial’, uninformed and retrogressive ‘directive’ to MNOs to deactivate data services on SIMs that have done stage 1 registration but not completed stage 2 registration,” he said in a Facebook post on Saturday. 

“I refer to the ‘directive’ as ‘unofficial’ because you have refused to write a letter either from the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation Ghana or the National Communications Authority Ghana to the Telecommunications Companies. 

“You expect them to carry out your uninformed fiat by way of a press statement or Facebook post of yours? Really? Is that what you have reduced the distinguished office of Minister of Communications to?“

Mrs Owusu-Ekuful had earlier hinted of possible sanctions for persons who have deliberately refused to take part in the SIM re-registration exercise.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Technology Breakfast Meeting earlier this month organised to deepen the awareness of the government’s digitalization drive among public sector chief executives, Mrs Owusu-Ekuful entreated Ghanaians to support measures the government is putting in place to protect the digital space.

“We all need to ensure that we protect the systems that we are putting in place. This is one aspect of it, but the SIM re-registration is also another aspect of it. There are some who have genuine concerns, and we are working with the NIA to [address them]. 

“But there are others who have the Ghana cards but have not completed the process. So clearly, either they do not intend to, or are unwilling to, so we will have some measures to announce in due course soon,” the Minister of Communication and Digitalisation explained.

The Ministry announced in October that 28,959,006 SIM cards have been linked to Ghana Cards so far.

This number represents 67.28% of the 42,749,662 total SIM cards issued nationally.

Furthermore, 18,930,664 SIM Cards have been fully registered, representing 44.28% of the total SIM cards issued.

This she said can be achieved by collectively focusing attention within the next eight years, towards the attainment of the ICT-enabled sustainable development goals and targets by 2030.

According to her, the government of Ghana, under the leadership of  President Akufo-Addo, Co-Chair of the Group of Eminent Advocates for the United Nations’ SDGs, was committed to the global strategy of working together to improve lives everywhere through technology deployment.

“This is even more critical as the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on economies of all nations, makes it imperative for our governments to accelerate digital transformation as the key for our economic recovery,” she noted.

The Minister was speaking at a Round Table meeting at the Ministerial Roundtable Sessions on the topic: “Building a Better Digital Future For All” at the Palace of Parliament, Human Right Hall in Bucharest, Romania.

The meeting forms part of preparations ahead of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference, 2022 and it’s scheduled for 26th September to 14th October 2022.

The Minister said Ghana has started the preparation to facilitate the expansion of digital infrastructure aimed at opening up broadband access to accelerate the provision of meaningful content and smart services that would benefit all citizens in the country.

“The bridging of the digital divide is a major concern of Government and we continue to create digital opportunities for the marginalised, the elderly, and people in rural, remote, and underserved areas under our Universal Telecommunications/ICT Fund Management,” Mrs Owusu-Ekuful said.

She therefore stated that government was also implementing strategic policies that would ensure inclusiveness of inculcating basic digital literacy in the educational curricula and also putting up community-based digital laboratories while been mindful that digital skills development was the cornerstone of digital transformation.

Touching on gender technological gap, she indicated that, Ghana had prioritised digital gender equality and that women and girls were encouraged and empowered to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

“We are committed to a cross-sectoral approach to development and enhanced collaboration with the private sector to aid rapid digital transformation. The Government of Ghana continues to work towards the creation of a fair regulatory environment and stability through the development of new spectrum farming policies to encourage the private sector to roll out new generation infrastructure and provide affordable and meaningful connectivity,” Mrs Owusu-Ekuful said.

She emphasised the need to build confidence, trust, and security of cyberspace so as to promote a safe digital /ICT ecosystem.

“It was important to work with the guidelines provided by the ITU and other global cooperation networks, and also work with other neighbours to build a Regional cyber space that would be resilient to attacks,” she added.

She noted that Ghana is committed to the global growth strategy that we have given ourselves under the guidance of the ITU to ensure that all nations pursue a path of digital transformation that will enhance meaningful universal connectivity and access.”

With former Minister of Tourism and Creative Arts, Catherine Afeku as their tour guide, they visited Nkroful, the hometown of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

The trio also visited the tomb and house of businessman and founder of the United Gold Coast Convention, Alfred Paa Grant.

In an extensive Facebook post sharing the experience from the west side, Mrs Owusu-Ekuful, who doubles as Ablekuma West Member of Parliament, described Axim as a hidden gem.

She called it a historic city with buried treasures just dying to be utilised!

She wrote: A contemporary of Paa Grant, businessman extraordinaire who imported Scottish and Italian artisans to build his dream home 100 years ago!!

It’s also called ‘hwe ma npori’ to wit be careful not to stumble if you stare ‘ a truly imposing structure and I stumbled and fell after staring at it!! Just imagine the sight of this building among mud huts 100 years ago! Mind blowing. We are the descendants of greatness and have to own and claim our destiny!!.

The lawmaker indicated they also toured other treasures in Nzema land.

Expressing how proud she was of the area, he stated she is officially an adopted Nzema.

Below is the full post:

She received a cash price of GH₵ 3,000, a plaque and the establishment of an ultra-modern ICT laboratory centre in her school.

Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, after presenting her with the prize, urged her to build her interest in the ICT space and practice whatever she has learnt throughout the programme.

The Minister also reiterated the need to continue the programme for only girls. She also called for more support to expand it to other levels of education.

According to her, the ICT initiative has welcomed positive feedback from the previous regions, adding that, it has energized the ministry to expand the programme to other parts of the country, although the initial plan was for a region per year.

“The Covid-19 showed us how important ICT is in the activities of life, since many of our educational and religious activities were delivered through digital channels when the world was under lockdown”

On his part, a representative from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Eric Mensah Bonsu, said the Youth empowerment concept through the initiative is enormous and must be supported by all.

He urged the girls to take the expert advice from the mentors to shape up careers, especially in the field of ICT.

Administrator for the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication (GIFEC), Prince Sefah Fosu, hinted an upcoming initiative by the agency to provide 120 communities with free Wi-Fi for the next four years.

He pledged his agency’s continuous support for the Girls in ICT initiative.

MORE:

• Popular female presenter passes on

• Ghosts are chasing me – Actor who celebrated birthday in the cemetery cries

• Speeding car kills two siblings at Ejisu

“The direction in which the world is moving demands the use of ICT, whatever you want to do, even as a farmer or trader, ICT education is very important. ICT has become an enabler in the new economy and government is bent on exposing you girls and other young ones to the new trend” she said.

The Communications Minister said this in her address to female students participating in the Bono Regional Girls in ICT initiative.

The theme for the programme is ‘Access and Safety to Inform the Girls about the Risk of Abusing the Internet’.

One thousand girls are benefiting from the Bono region’s programme which is part government’s quest to bridge the gender gap in technology. with support from the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication, GIFEC.

Madam Owusu-Ekuful challenged the students participating in the regional Girls in ICT programme to take advantage of the initiative to excel in the field of ICT and science.

“It’s a privilege and an opportunity some have been fighting for so if you have it, make the best use of it now” she stated.

The Communications Minister urged the students to work hard because “hard-work doesn’t kill but will rather make you adapt in whatever you do.”

“You are an apple of God’s eye. We are perfection of creation so try to reinforce yourself with a positive image as a perfect creation of God and never be discouraged.”

Madam Owusu-Ekuful also took inspiration from the 11-year-old Princess Kumi, winner of the Bono East Girls in ICT to share some experiences with the girls on the programme so far.

She also challenged the girls to stay focus and develop interest in ICT subjects.

Selected Schools from all the twelve districts in the Bono region participated in the mentorship programme with support from the regional education service.

Some teachers from the various districts were also trained as part of the initiative to impart the knowledge to other students that may not get the opportunity to participate.

Chairperson of the mentorship programme, Dr. Seyram Blossom Setufe, who is also the Acting Head, Department of Fisheries and Water Resources, School of Natural Resources also urged the girls to take advantage of the programme to become scientists and IT experts in the future.

“I will like you to pay attention, take note and develop interest in the field of engineering. Let your ears be open for the reason we are here and have that character and mindset that you can do it as an IT specialist or engineer” she advised.

Meanwhile, the girls were trained on how to code, creation of websites, computer games, interactive arts, mobile apps, and animation stories using various programming languages.

Also, Dr. Mercy Badu from the Department of Chemistry at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) taught the girls to some tips to learn subjects in science and ICT.

According to her, the women in the field are few hence there is the need to bridge the gap through the Girls in ICT initiative.

Other mentors who spoke to the girls at the event are: Juanita Ahia Quarcoo, Lecturer at the Department of Computer Science, Sunyani Technical University and Faiza Umar Bawah, Lecturer Department of Science and Informatics, University of Energy and Natural Resources.

Female Engineers from MTN were equally also given had the opportunity to share their experience with the girls.

The Mentorship Day event is part of the Girls in ICT Initiative aimed at given the girls the opportunity to interact with ladies in the field of ICT and Science education.

As part of strategies to both ensure that Ghana achieves the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, and Ghana’s ICT4AD Policy on bridging the gender digital divide, the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, through its agencies – GIFEC, NCA and the Kofi Annan ICT Centre of Excellence, has expanded the scope of the GIICT event.

Interestingly, over 60 percent of the girls trained, have no prior knowledge or experience in the use of computers.

The Girls in ICT programme, was introduced in 2012 by the International Telecommunications Union to empower and encourage girls and young women to acquire digital skills and consider studies and careers in the growing field of information and communication technologies.

Ghana, has adopted this initiative and observed it on a regional basis. It has already been celebrated in Greater Accra, Ashanti, Northern, Volta, Western, Western North, North East, Central and Oti Regions.

Listen to the audio below:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by African Entertainment AE (@african_entertainment)

MORE:

• Asamoah Gyan’s manager fights Ayew family’s spokesperson over book launch

• CCTV footage of gory accident at Labone junction

• The African nation that lasted only 12 days

He blamed Madam Owusu-Ekuful for failing to announce the extension of the deadline on time, causing the queuing at the offices, which led to the stampede.

One person was injured and received treatment at the hospital.

He noted that the National Communications Authority (NCA) and the Ministry were fully aware that the 31st March deadline directive was untenable.

Mr George said it makes absolutely no sense; technically and logically, to scare Ghanaians of deactivating sim cards when only less than eight of 40million active sim cards have been registered.

“Are they going to deactivate 32 million sim cards?” he quizzed, while chiding the NIA and Ministry for not taking proactive measures to make the announcement since they were willing to make that move.

“The state is saying that if you are sending up to a GH100 a day, cumulatively you can send up to GH3,000 a month, that is all going to be tax-free. Now if you have more than a GH100 to send a day, then you’re not poor.

“So if you really are poor and you are in a position to send a GH100 a day, then we need to re-classify our definition of who really the beneficiaries of these are. And it is only the sender who pays, not the recipient. Unlike the telcos where both the sender and receiver pays,” Mrs Owusu-Ekuful said in an interview on GH Today on Thursday, November 18.

She added that the government is likely to raise over Ghc500 million a month from the E-Trasanctions levy.

“So if you are looking at bulk payments, cashouts, person to person transfers, wallet to bank transfers, as of October we are looking at about Ghc11 million, if you are looking at the merchants, debit payments, sending, transfers, transfers to vouchers and the cashouts we are looking at Ghc440 million.

“If you are looking at GHIPSS, and merchant payments and direct debit payments and organisations paying to customers and paying bills and sending money we are looking at Ghc45 million so in total it is possible for the government to get about Ghc500 million from this in a month.”

MORE:

• 2022 WCQ: Ghana FA reacts to Black Stars’ penalty against South Africa

• Wedding photographer says there are 3 signs that a marriage won’t last

• Fella Makafui and Medikal hold big party to open their new mansion [Videos]

Reading the 2022 budget on Wednesday, November 17, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta said to compensate for the abolishment of road tolls, the government is looking to introduce innovative ways of raising revenue such as the proposed 1.75% phone transactions levy payable by mobile money users per transaction above GHC100.

He said this will help the government to shore up revenue inflows to fund road projects in the country.

“Total value of transactions for 2020 was estimated to be over GHS 500 billion Cedis compared to GH¢78 billion Cedis in 2016 just 5 years ago, while total mobile money subscribers and active mobile money users have grown by an average rate of 18% and 16% respectively between 2016 and 2019. Mr Speaker, it is becoming clear there exists the enormous potential to increase tax revenues by bringing into the tax bracket, transactions that could be best defined as being undertaken in the ‘shadow economy’.

“After considerable deliberations, the Government has decided to place a levy on all electronic transactions to widen the tax net and rope in the informal sector. This shall be known as the “Electronic Transaction Levy or E-Levy,” he said.

Mrs Owusu-Ekuful, who is also the Minister for Communications and Digitisation, has taken to Facebook to mourn the death of a lady she identified as Monan.

However, the cause of death is not immediately known.

According to her, Monan has been her designer over the past few years.

In a brief tribute to eulogise the deceased, she noted she has over time become a sister and friend to her family.

Appreciating her works, the MP lauded she made her look good all the time.

Following her post, her comment section has been inundated with tributes amidst testimonies of her selfless nature and hard work.

ALSO READ:

• Ursula Owusu sends message to LGBT community

• Video of Ursula Owusu pushing a colleague off his chair pops up

She wrote: Rest well in the Lord’s bosom, Monan. Over the past five years, you designed clothes for me and made me look good, becoming a sister and friend to my family. We’ll miss you.

Read the post below:

The exercise, according to her, forms part of moves to clamp down on cybercriminals hiding behind the anonymity of digital systems to commit antisocial acts.

Mrs Owusu-Ekuful has explained it will be a six-month-long exercise expected to end in December 2021, adding all un-registered sims will be blocked after the deadline.

She also added plans are far advanced to make the National Identification Card (Ghana Card) the only national identity card for all identification and business purposes.

Speaking at the 5th Ghana Chief Executive Officer’s summit, she said that digitisation is the only way to ensure free trade across the continent and create an enabling system for trade financing using electronic means. “We are poised to deliver,” she said.

• AirtelTigo purchase brouhaha: Ursula Owusu ‘jabs’ Sam George again

• Ursula Owusu sends message to LGBT community

The Ablekuma West Member of Parliament, among other things, touted the efforts of the ministry in delivering on its mandate.

“My ministry is also working to improve access to connectivity across the country with rural telephony and digital inclusion projects which will see the construction of 2016 solar powered cell sites in unserved and underserved rural communities,” she said.

 The re-registration is expected to reduce mobile phone-related crimes such as prank calls, cyber-crime, mobile money fraud and its related issues to improve general security in Ghana.

According to her, she worked hard to achieve her status, adding that even when she was a young lawyer she had no personal car to use.

She continued by asking the Ghanaian youth to refrain from get-rich-quick schemes as she patronized ‘Trotro’ as a means of transportation when she worked as a lawyer.

READ ALSO:

• Akuapem Poloo bounces back online, check out her first five posts after bail 

• Photo of Adebayor having a nap in front of his garage causes stir

• Drama as groom warns MC to stop asking him to dance at his own wedding [Video]

If you see someone driving a flashy car know they have suffered for it. I remember my first car was a fiat. I had to walk for a long time at Akufo-Addo & Co where I started. I was a lawyer and taking Trotro.

We have struggled and built on the little we have. Rome wasn’t built in a day. They [youth] have to put in the hard work. If you do it, you will reap the benefit. I was also selling little by little to support my craft, she said.

They are Communications Minister nominee Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Railways Minister nominee, John Peter Amewu, Roads Minister nominee, Kwasi Amoako-Attah, Attorney General and Minister of Justice nominee, Godfred Dame and Health Minister nominee, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu.

Mrs Owusu-Ekuful has been accused of being discriminatory in the closure of some radio stations.

The nominee during her vetting two weeks ago said the National Communications Authority (NCA) acted in accordance with the Electronic Communication Law of 2008 in shutting down radio stations.

She stated: “Ursula has not closed down any radio station…it was by operation of the Law…the NCA conducted an audit exercise which indicated that 144 radio stations had committed several infractions which necessitated that they be sanctioned.”

Also, the NDC MPs cited flaws in her answers regarding the Kelni GVG CMP deal.

This Common Monitoring Platform (CMP) contract was set up with the objective of providing a means of verifying the information provided by telecom companies for tax revenue purposes in accordance with the law.

She, however, justified the implementation of the programme, claiming that it has helped the country to boost its tax collections from the sector.

The Hohoe MP, John Peter Amewu, answered questions pertaining to the PDS contract and the beating up of a bailiff in his constituency.

During his vetting, Mr Amewu took responsibility for the botched PDS deal owing to the fact that he was sector Minister at the time.

However, he denied any involvement in the incident with the bailiff, claiming that he only found out a week after it has happened.

Roads and Highways Minister-designate, who the president described as the most outstanding minister during his first term, will also reappear before the Committee.

This is because he approved a $570 million motorway expansion project “without basis”.

The Roads Ministry this earlier year rejected calls by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucus in Parliament for the abrogation of the contract.

During his vetting, he again defended government’s decision to award the $570 million Accra-Tema motorway contract to a sole-sourced construction firm, Mota-Engil Engenharia Construcao Africa S.A.

He disclosed in a statement that the government undertook a transparent and competitive process between 2017 and 2020, using Public-Private Partnership arrangements to select the contract after failed attempts by the previous NDC government to procure the said works to another foreign contractor.

Godfred Dame, who has been nominated as Attorney General and Minister for Justice, has to return to provide clarity concerning three main issues.

For starters, the family of Gregory Afoko has petitioned the Committee against his appointment claiming that he was not truthful about the facts of the matter.

Mr Dame, who is a board member of the Public Procurement Authority, denied knowledge of some contracts that were awarded.

The 13-member Minority on the Committee, however, claim to have information that casts doubt on this claim.

Mr Dame also denied his involvement in the prosecution of former Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Inusah Fuseini, over his comments after the 2020 general election.

Meanwhile, Health Minister-Designate will also reappear before the Committee to answer more questions on the Frontiers Contract.

Mr Agyeman-Manu disclosed during his vetting that the procurement of Frontier Healthcare Services, as the sole company testing all passengers who arrive at the Kotoka International Airport, was done by a presidential task force that reports directly to the President.

He too will have to answer more questions on the matter.

She was accompanied by her husband, Dr Sam Ekuful, as she walks towards the polling centre in the Ablekuma West constituency in Accra.

MORE:

• Numerologist drops winner of December 7 polls 

• Bulldog opens up on rumours that Shatta Wale has sacked him

• I will resign if… Sammy Gyamfi [Audio]

Watch the video below:

She said the election will not be won on a silver platter in spite of the massive achievements of the Akufo-Addo government.

“Our biggest enemy is apathy and complacency so let’s disabuse our minds that the election has already been won,” Mrs Ursula-Owusu said in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Tuesday.

She maintained that, the alternative, which is the National Democratic Congress (NDC), is very scary “so let’s work hard to consolidate our gains and retain President Akufo-Addo in power.”

Mrs Owusu-Ekuful, who is also the Minister of Communications, urged NPP supporters to intensify the house-to-house campaign in every nook and cranny for a resounding victory.

Given the work done so far, she said the NPP will retain all its seats in its strongholds and snatch some from the NDC strongholds.

“Election 2020; upset galore! We are winning the general election with an enhanced margin,” the Ablekuma West MP stressed.

It is unclear what message the musician shared or if he performed his songs to the crowd but Samini was seen with a microphone in his hand sharing a point.

Meanwhile, the MP was seen having four of her fingers up behind Samini signifying victory for President Nana Akufo-Addo in the upcoming December 7 elections.

MORE:

• Musician jailed for lottery fraud

• Musician Flyboy Geesus dashes out after die-hard fans stormed Hitz FM

• Kuami Eugene’s lookalike causes stir as he performs his ‘Open Gate’

Additionally, the politician wrote a short message after she shared the photos to make a statement:

Check out photos from the campaign below:

Nii Lante Vanderpuye said he was baffled by such claims because he had no hand in the attack.

“I wasn’t even in Accra when it happened and that’s what hurts me,” he said on the Super Morning Show.

This comes on the back of allegations that he caused similar attacks on some politicians including Mrs Owusu-Ekuful when the National Democractic Congress (NDC) was in power after he was attacked in his constituency.

In 2012, the MP for Ablekuma West, Mrs Owusu-Ekuful was attacked by some thugs in the Odododiodoo constituency.

She was assaulted at a registration centre by persons alleged to be NDC activists after she had visited the area to encourage traders in the central business district to partake in the 2012 biometric registration exercise.

MORE:

• Stacy Amoateng celebrates her kids with Okyeame Quophi on social media

• Check out African entertainer featured in Man U new jersey campaign

Abu Jinapor, an aide to then-candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Akufo-Addo was also assaulted in the constituency.

A recent attack on the MP by some thugs, believed to be members of the ruling NPP, however, has been linked to the incident.

Mr Vanderpuye, after the assault, has been accused by a section of the public including members of his constituency of causing violence against other politicians in the past.

Reacting to this, he said he has never had a hand in any of the attacks.

“I was in school with Ursula. We were in Legon together, she was a year ahead of me and was in Sarbah Hall Annex A while I was in Sarbah Hall Annex B. So why will I do that?” he said.

He added that he called her to sympathise with her after the incident, which he wouldn’t have done if indeed he had a hand in the crime.

“I personally called her and said ‘I’m sorry for what has happened to you in my Constituency.’ I’m not aware of that, If I had been around, there’s no way that would’ve happened,” he said.

The party on Monday, September 7, 2020, launched its manifesto dubbed ‘The people’s manifesto’ in its quest to capture power in the 2020 elections.

Poised for victory, they have expressed optimism their manifesto will be an effective tool for what the party described as a rescue mission.

The NDC, among other things, has promised free primary healthcare, the big push, legalisation and regulations of ‘okada’ and to retrieve all missing excavators and hand them over to their rightful owners.

However, to Mrs Owusu-Ekuful, who doubles as the legislator for Ablekuma West, the manifesto is only a recycled package.

ALSO READ:

• 7 days paternity leave for fathers – NDC manifesto

• NDC Manifesto: Five key promises in the education sector

She noted it was the same manifesto Ghanaians rejected from the party in the 2016 elections.

She said this in a post on her Facebook page which has generated mixed reactions.

While some followers have noted the NDC’s manifesto is not a match for the New Patriotic Party one, others pointed out the stone rejected in 2016 will become the corner stone in 2020.

Speaking to the House on Friday, Prof. Oquaye warned media houses to desist from misreporting happenings in the House as the ‘appropriate sanctions’ would be applied should another incident happen.

The Speaker’s anger follows a report in the Herald Newspaper that asserted that the Minister for Communications, Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful was ‘running away’ from accountability on the Kelni GVG contract.

The Communications Minister on Wednesday was given a 48-hour ultimatum, to appear before the House on Friday and account for how much revenue the country had made since contracting Kelni GVG as well as clear some controversies surrounding the contract.

MORE STORIES:

• Amansie South, Akuapem North DCEs sacked!

• My boyfriend lied about having cancer to scam me out of my life savings

The ultimatum issued was after the Minister on three consecutive times failed to show up in Parliament to respond to a question filed by the Ningo-Prampram Member of Parliament, Samuel Nartey George on the controversial $89 million Kelni GVG deal.

But once again, the Communications Minister failed to appear before Parliament, hence the order.

“The introduction of the CP has uncovered that, prior to the introduction of the policy, GHc 470 million in taxes was lost from potential under-declarations between 2015 to the first quarter of 2017”, the Minister of Communication, Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has revealed.

Answering questions on the floor of Parliament House today, the Minister said “an estimated amount of GHS 300 million in taxes was also saved between the first quarter of 2017 to date as a result of the announcement of the implementation of the CP on March 8^th, 2017.”

Mrs Owusu-Ekuful again revealed that through the deployment of the CP and sophisticated, up-to-date fraud management systems, the CP was able to record over 150,000 international calls into the country every month and thereby detecting fraudulent SIM automatically.

This, she said, has saved the country of tax fraud of an additional GHc 327.3 million from the activities of SIM Card fraud since the inception of the CP in 2017.

“Over the life of the contract, the CP is expected to deliver tax savings of approximately GHS 799.6 million,“ the Minister stated.

OTHER STORIES:

• Best performing president of the Fourth Republic

• Kennedy Agyapong reacts to viral video of WASSCE students disrespecting Akufo-Addo

• Man in Police grips over killing of friend due to GH¢ 50

On Mobile Money Monitoring, the Minister disclosed that the CP has reported monthly usage for July 2020 of GHSc 63.6 Billion, 307.1 million transactions, with GHS 104.6 million generated by the Operators in transaction fees, with further breakdowns of transaction types for informed policy decision making.

Giving further benefits that the implementation of the CP has accrued to the country, Mrs Owusu-Ekuful also mentioned that the policy has resulted in savings of $1.1 million monthly over the previous contracts, resulting in a total of $66 m savings over the 5-year contract period.

Reduced charges

Under the previous National Democratic Cingress administration, the NCA was paying $915,969 to Afriwave, while the Ghana Revenue Authority was paying $1,675,492 to Subah, bringing the total payments to $2,591,462 monthly.

The NCA, she said, now pays $596,490 and the GRA $894,735, a total of $1,491,225 to service providers.

“Additionally, unlike the previous contracts, the CP offers real-time monitoring of 2.5 billion transactions per day within the telecom sector such as calls, SMS, Mobile money transactions and other transactions.

Under Section 14 of the Communications Services Tax Act 2008 (Act 754), as amended by Section 7 of the Communications Service Tax (Amendment) Act, 2013, Act 864 mandated the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Communications to establish a common platform as a mechanism for verifying the actual revenues that accrue to service providers for the purpose of computing taxes due to Government under Act 864 and revenues accruing from levies under Act 775 as amended by Act 786 of 2009.

ALSO:

• Mahama trolled on social media for this campaign blunder [watch]

• Sekou Nkrumah ‘punches’ Speaker of Parliament over Kwame Nkrumah

Pursuant to this, KelniGVG was contracted on  December 17, 2017, to build and operate a Common Monitoring Platform which is an integrated single platform connecting to nodes in the networks of all Mobile Network Operators and the Interconnect Clearinghouse where traffic and revenues can be monitored.

The National Communications Authority and the Ghana Revenue Authority are the implementing agencies and beneficiaries of this project.

The CP has four main components, that is fraud management, traffic monitoring, revenue assurance and mobile money monitoring.

She explained that the former Education Minister lost the vote of the ‘female constituency’ when she signed the infamous ‘Montie three’ petition for the release of three NDC communicators who had threatened to ‘rape’ the then Chief Justice Georgina Wood.

“That episode is still fresh on the mind of every woman in this struggle. It was no mean a person than Ghana’s first female Chief Justice who had been attacked by the NDC and there was Prof Naana Opoku-Agyeman rising in defense of her party youth who had been convicted for their barbaric actions,” she said.

This single act by the astute professor, Mrs Owusu-Ekuful said made her lose all the respect she had for her.

ALSO READ:

• Check out Ghana’s female running mates since the beginning of the 4th Republic
• Prof. Gyampo sends strong message to NPP foot soldiers over Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyemang’s appointment
• Okomfour Kwadee breaks silence amid health brouhaha

“I lost respect for Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyemang when she signed a petition for the release of people who had threatened to harm her fellow woman who is also Chief Justice,” she said on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Tuesday.

The Ablekuma West Member of Parliament said the NDC running mate will struggle to persuade women to support her bid due to the ‘Montie three’ petition gaffe.

“I have nothing against her but I think the Montie 3 petition will affect her,” she added.

According to Minister for Communications, Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, she has not championed any gender rights advocacy as compared to most women in her party.

“Prof. Opoku-Agyemang when it comes to women rights in this country, she is invisible,” she said in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme, Tuesday.

Prof Opoku-Agyemang was on Monday, July 6, 2020, outdoored as John Mahama’s running mate for the December elections.

Her selection was applauded by many, especially women groups who believe the NDC is finally seeing the light in the capabilities of women.

ALSO READ:

• Running mates should have presidential qualities – Lecturer
• The dawn has broken and Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has come – Oye Lithur writes
• Check out Ghana’s female running mates since the beginning of the 4th Republic

Others from the ruling New Patriotic Party described the appointment as tokenism and a last resort for Mr Mahama who had struggled for a partner for years.

In support, the Communications Minister said she could not endorse the Mahama/Naana Opoku-Agyemang ticket on principle.

She indicated that many women across the political divides have for years fought tirelessly for women and children’s rights in this country but Prof. Opoku-Agyemang is not one of them.

“You can easily mention former First Lady of the Republic, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, and some others in the NDC as shinning examples of female politicians who have contributed immensely to the advancement of women empowerment and inclusion in Ghana,” she said.

The Communications Minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West constituency, is convinced her choice will not translate into votes for the NDC.

“Women’s numerical strength has to be translated into political power but I wish her well,” she stressed.

Mrs Owusu-Ekuful, however, appealed to her party members to focus more on the track record of Prof. Opoku-Agyemang and not her personality.  

Members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), who will play key roles in the party’s electioneering campaign, have been asked to be wise.

ALSO READ:

• Virtual concert: I will resign if… Ursula Owusu-Ekuful
• Lady goes into coma after taking GH₵241k loan for boyfriend who later absconded
• Money Heist professor approves ‘Nigerian remake’

“Those who will get the campaign monies must know how to use it,” Minister of Communications, Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful stated on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Friday.

She explained that given what she has seen and the work done by President Nana Akufo-Addo, the second coming of Mr Mahama “will continue to be a dream.”

“We beat him [ Mahama] in opposition and now that we are in power and the things I have seen, ‘go hard give John Mahama’,” she said.

With less than nine months to the 2020 general election, political parties are still not sure how to elect their candidates for the presidential and parliamentary elections.

The political calendar is being disrupted with the coronavirus pandemic.

The NDC’s candidate, former President Mahama has also started distributing Personal Protective Equipment and food to the poor as part of his contribution in the COVID-19 fight.

But the Minister said all the ‘gimmicks’ by the NDC and its flagbearer will be an exercise in futility.

 “They [NDC] can continue dreaming about coming back to power because 2020 will be difficult,” she noted.

The Communications Minister explained that, given the achievements of President Akufo-Addo in his first term, a win for Mahama is impossible.

According to the Minister, the declaration is the Akufo-Addo-led government’s commitment to the development of Ghana.

“For me, I will say we are well on course as a government. If we say 2020 is a year of roads, it’s not because of elections,” she explained.

Speaking on Adom TV’s Badwam, Madam Ursula Owusu-Ekuful said road works have already begun in parts of the country.

ALSO READ: Road, NHIS funds should not be capped in 2020 budget – MP

 “If you look at things done by this government, you will realize God has been good, considering the kind of economy we inherited but we have achieved a lot in every sector of the economy.”

She added the Eastern Corridor roads which were poorly constructed by the NDC will be fixed by the Akufo-Addo-led government.

Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, presenting the 2020 Budget Statement and Economic Policy in Parliament on Wednesday announced 2020 as a year of roads for the Akufo-Addo government.

READ ALSO: Full document: 2020 Budget and Economic Policy of gov’t

“Today, the cry everywhere in Ghana is about the poor state of our roads. It is an unprecedented cry and makes you wonder where all the roads in the NDC’s Green Book are,” he said.

“Mr Speaker, this is why we are going to focus more on fixing our roads across the country in 2020 and beyond. To get the road sector moving and contractors back to work, the government will pay 80% of all contractors,” Mr Ofori-Atta told parliamentarians.

She explained that the entry of the government into the power compact was well-intended as there were some major issues at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) that needed to be fixed.

ALSO READ: Telcos to compensate subscribers over upfront deductions – Minister

However, the government could not have sat down unconcerned when it realized there were problems with the necessary requirements for the concession agreement to work effectively.

Speaking in an exclusive interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, monitored by Adomonline.com, she said the government did not oversee the procurement process, explaining that the government only observed the process as a key stakeholder.

ALSO READ: Five arrested and ordered to desilt gutters for engaging in open defecation

“Government did not oversee the procurement process; the [procurement] process was done by the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) and the US government with the government as a key stakeholder observing more or less. The government was mainly interested in the shareholding aspect,” she said.

The minister said the government’s termination of the concession agreement was a step taken to protect the state’s assets.

ALSO READ: Former Energy Minister calls for int’l probe into PDS deal

She advised Ghanaians not to be too suspicious of the move because government has the country at heart.

Source: Adomonlie.com|Fuaad Dodoo

The actress joined a number of entertainment personalities and Ghanaians who were not amused by the comments of the Minister.

Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful incurred the wrath of a section of Ghanaians when it emerged that she had said only witches are complaining of hardship in Ghana under the Nana Akufo-Addo government.

SEE THIS: Wizkid makes history with Star-Studded Starboy Fest 2019

Reacting to the comment, Fella said under a post of the story on Instagram that, “we all witches then.”

She further commented that “the way the system is hard hmm it’s sad our leaders are actually sounding this way…Even we that have business are not seeing top so imagine those not doing anything at all .. Business is slow .‘And she is actually sounding this way ?? lol I’m not surprised.”

Adding her voice to the resentments, actress Salma Mumin noted that, “well they [politicians] are our biggest problem. Until all these menopause leaders are gone, nothing positive will ever happen It is a problem my sister.”

“People are so hungry and jobless because there are no job opportunities in the system so all most of the population does is scam. Even when you have enough to invest, and care is not taken or if God do not intervene you still get duped! Let’s pray for young and vibrant leaders Until then we are going to suffer till till till. God forbid though,” she added.

ALSO SEE: 20 contestants unveiled for second edition of Adom TV’s Nsoromma talent show

Vicky Zugah, who was equally not happy about the comment, also said “Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

“Ooh then I am WITCH! A big fat one!” Mimi Andani-Michaels, Director of the Golden Movie Awards Africa, replied the Communications Minister.

Source: myjoyonline.com

To Pablo, as he is popularly known in the political circles, the directives should have come from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) as the regulator for taxes and revenues in Ghana.

ALSO: Video+Photos: Speeding driver kills 4 children at Egya No. 1

“Ursula Owusu acted ultra vires; an authority she doesn’t have to issue the directives on the CST. She doesn’t have the locus to issue those directives because it is the job of the GRA.”

The comment of Pablo follows a directive by the Minister to telcos to stop upfront deductions following the implementation of the 9% CST with telcos that go contrary to face sanctions.

ALSO: Nduom reacts to demo by Gold Coast Customers

Commenting on the sanctions against telcos for non-compliance on the CST on Adom TV’s Badwam show, Pablo said “Ursula Owusu-Ekuful talks more than she acts and sometimes acts like she doesn’t even understand the job she is doing as a Communications Minister,” he said.

“How can the CST be basis to withdraw someone’s license? No court will rule in favour of this. Ursula is only blowing cold air,” he added.

Source: Adomonline.com | Gertrude Otchere

READ: Political violence : Akufo-Addo replies Mahama’s “boot-for-boot” comment

MP for Ablekuma Central, Hon. Ursula Owusu Ekuful said her colleague behaved like “Robocop” during his altercation with the National Security personnel at the La Bawaleshie polling centre during Thursday’s by-election.

Sam George received some dirty slaps for allegedly challenging a security personnel who had stormed the residence of the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Ayawaso West Wougon, Delali Kwesi Brempong.

READ: Mahama’s violence comment unfortunate – Political Analyst

The security personnel clothed in khaki trousers and national security shirts confronted the Ningo-Prampram MP for ‘hurling insults at him’.

The National Security Operative after verbal exchanges with Sam George gave him some dirty slaps. His conduct has been condemned by many who have called on the police to deal with the matter.

Commenting on the issue on Adom FM, Ursula Owusu Ekuful said Sam George got what he bargained for.

READ: Ayawaso West Wuogon by-elections very peaceful – EC

She explained that, the violence that ensued during the by-elections is a ploy by the NDC to mar the elections.

Ursula Owusu maintained that, the NDC has no moral right to complain when they are being given a dose of their own medicine.

She cited how an NDC MP ordered for her to be beaten at Odododiodoo during a registration exercise without any provocation to buttress his point.

Ursula Owusu stressed that, the opposition party which has so much hope in their vigilante group called for violence and government responded in equal measure.

Giving her statement, Honourable Owusu-Ekuful said Ghana, under the leadership of the President, was pursuing the Digital Ghana Agenda for a massive transformation of country’s economy through technology and broadband development, stressing on the fact that the President, as the Co-Chair of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Advocacy Group was a form advocate for the utilisation of the technology for the realisation of all the SDGs.

The Minister further said that Ghana was working actively towards improving the efficiency of service delivery with particular attention to rural and underserved communities, women and gender parity and opportunities for the youth, and went on to list various ICT initiatives which the Government had implemented since 2017. She said, to encourage adoption of these ICT initiatives and to protect users, the Government was also committed to promoting safe Cyber hygiene practices with the establishment of a National Cyber Security Secretariat and an equally strong focus on Child Online Protection.

Honourable Owusu-Ekuful joined other Heads of Delegations who delivered High Level Statements expressing their country’s ICTs achievements and their previous and future contributions regarding the use of ICTs in advancing developments.

In soliciting support for Ghana’s re-election to the ITU Council, she went on further to inform delegates that Ghana was an active member of the ITU and the Council and was fully committed to the decisions of the 2018 Session of Council. Honourable Owusu-Ekuful reiterated Ghana’s commitment to supporting ITU’s strategic plan and was hopeful that increased partnerships and investment would help to bridge the digital divide.

Before ending her statement, Honourable Owusu-Ekuful, paid tribute to the Government and people of Indonesia for the unfortunate air disaster which claimed the lives of over 100 passengers.

The Plenipotentiary Conference is the highest decision-making body of ITU, the United Nations specialized agency for ICTs. Held every four years, the Conference is the key event at which ITU Member States build consensus on key international ICT issues, elect leaders for the Union’s top posts, and decide on a roadmap for ITU’s work over the next four-year period, including strategic and financial plans.

The Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, joined the ITU Secretary-General, Mr. Houlin Zhao in welcoming international delegates for three weeks of intensive decision-making on the future of global ICT.

READ ALSO: Education Minister to storm KNUST following riots

President Akufo-Addo, therefore, commended the National Communications Authority and the Ghana Revenue Authority for taking steps to guarantee the revenues of government, and, also, ensure that regulators and telecommunication operators work together to this end.

Mr Braimah says the Ministry has done a poor job with how it has handled the Kelni-GVG and the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) agreements.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Current Affairs show, Burning Issues, Monday, Mr Braimah said: “The Ministry has proven that if they say something and you take it as they say it, sometimes you could be wrong.”

“From Kelni GVG to this StarTimes, most of the things when you listen, today they say this and tomorrow that, where StarTimes comes in regarding the Digital Migration, Minister says there is no contract, the deputy says there’s MoU and you ask yourself, what’s the difference between MoU and a contract?”, he quizzed.

READ: Photos: Tear gas, warning shots fired, 2 tanker drivers injured

He added: “And even on the Kelni-GVG issue, when they were asked to present a contract they signed themselves, they said we should give them six months,” Mr Braimah indicated.

DTT background

The government of Ghana signed a $95 million deal with the Chinese company, StarTimes to supply and install the DTT network platform for Ghana.

But the contract with StarTimes was later abrogated over what then Minister for Communications, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, said was due to “failure of the company to secure the necessary funding from the China Exim Bank to execute the project.”

READ: Student grabbed for defiling 14-year-old girl

The government then awarded the digital migration contract to K-NET,  a Ghanaian-owned company, but K-NET’s work on the project was halted after StarTimes sued the government of Ghana for what it described as the unfair abrogation of their contract with the State.

The deadline for the migration from analogue to digital has already suffered three postponements.

Although the global deadline is 2020, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) urged governments to migrate from analogue broadcasting to digital by June 2015, which Ghana could not meet and so rescheduled to June 2016, which it failed again to achieve.

September 21, 2017, became the new deadline but that was also missed and so the government pushed the country’s full migration to 2018, which is already nine months old.

READ: Video: Osu ranked among 50 coolest neighbourhoods in the world

More controversy

Meanwhile, Deputy Ranking Member of Parliaments Select Committee on Communication, Daniel Kwasi Ashiamah, speaking on the same show said Parliament is not aware of the contract between StarTimes and the Communications Ministry.

“If the Minister is listening to me, the issue has not or never been presented to the Committee and I can beat my chest to that because I don’t fail any Committee meeting,” he said.

He expressed so much worry that the Committee which is supposed to educate the public on such issues instead gets information on it through the media.

According to the MP for Buem, the Constitution requires the Communications Ministry to present the agreement to Parliament to get them informed about the details of the issue but has not done that.

The controversial Kelni GVG contract is in court as the applicants – Sara Asafu-Adjaye and Maximus Amertogoh – contend it infringes on their right of privacy.

Giving his ruling, Justice Anthony Yeboah said the application by the two applicants was merely based on public sentiments and debates as they failed to provide any real evidence to back their claims that their privacy would be breached should the contract be executed in its current form.

READ: I have no interest in disenfranchising Voltarians – President

On the other hand, the National Communication Authority, the Ministry of Communication and the Ghana Revenue Authority in their affidavit to the court demonstrated that the monitoring system was not capable of being used to monitor calls and text messages of Ghanaians and that the interest of the system was solely to monitor the telecommunication companies for purposes of revenue collection.

The court subsequently stated that on the balance of convenience, the State was likely to suffer irreparable damage if an injunction is granted as compared to the applicants. To that end, the court dismissed the application in its entirety.

The Applicants were before the Court because they insist that having followed the public debate and upon further enquiry, they gathered that the 1st (Ministry of Communication), 2nd (National Communication Authority) and 3rd (Ghana Revenue Authority) respondents, who are primarily responsible for the implementation of the common platform, intend to carry out the exercise in a manner which will be in breach of the Applicants’ fundamental human right to privacy.

READ: VIDEO: Vote-buying talk “very foolish” – Blay

The Plaintiffs also claim that the architecture of the common platform to be implemented is such that instead of connecting to only the billing node provided by the telecom companies as stipulated under Act 864, the connection will be made to all the physical nodes, and it will be a breach of Article 18 (2) of the 1992 Constitution.

According to the Applicants, the mobile networks have a statutory duty to protect their customers, including the Plaintiffs under Section 73 of the Electronic Communications Act 2008 (Act 775) by ensuring that correspondence and communications of customers are not intercepted or interfered with.

Representation in Court

The Deputy Minister for Communication, George Andah, was present in Court as well as representatives for the court hearing. Lawyers Eddy McCarthy and Kofi Bentil, represented the Applicants. The Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Mr. Kofi Nti was also present in Court.

READ: PHOTO: Pregnant woman, baby die over GHC500 ‘doctor motivation fee’

Her song from Exodus chapter 22 seemed to draw admiration from the majority members of the House but the minority appeared indifferent.

READ: Woman, 23, born without a vagina has one made out of FISH SKIN

The was in the House to answer questions on the controversial Kelni GVG contract that has attracted criticism from the minority and policy think tank IMANI Ghana.

The telecommunication networks have also been kicking against the proposal for Kelni GVG to monitor them.

READ: I’m happy Anas’ theory is catching up with NPP – Koku Anyidoho

The minister believes the telcos have an ulterior motive for this.

“…their main motivation may have been their unwillingness for GOG to have full visibility of their actual traffic volumes to determine the real taxes payable on the revenues earned from them,” she said.

READ: AUDIO: What’s your motive for sharing ‘false’ photos of Anas? – Baako asks Ken

Watch the video

Francis Anom could not fathom why party leadership has allowed such “rascal” to subject the NPP to public ridicule.

READ: I’m happy Anas’ theory is catching up with NPP – Koku Anyidoho

This was after A Plus accused some Ministers and government appointees of engaging in corrupt deals.

Though he has been given seven days to retract and apologize, the musician has called their bluff.

“…I’m not afraid of anyone. Not a single soul. I’m wild like a lion!!! Bring it on. You’ll be humiliated,” A Plus wrote in a Facebook post to respond to Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, who is demanding an apology from the entertainer or face her in court over an alleged libelous publication.

READ: Audio: I want justice for my daughter – Grieving father

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Thursday, Francis Anom said allowing an ‘empty barrel’ like A Plus to make such noise will spell doom for government.

He noted that, the unfounded allegations being leveled against government appointees by the musician is courting negative publicity for the Akufo-Addo led government.

“Why is the NPP not calling this A Plus to order? He is now a nuisance to NPP and must be checked” the NPP man fumed.

READ: Nine dead in boat accident at Kete Krachi

Francis Anom stressed that A Plus is not an NPP member thus should not be allowed to hold the party to ransom.