Used Fridges ‘Reduced To Clear’

By Esther Awuah 

The sale of used refrigerators is no longer lucrative for the dealers. This follows the ban on the importation of used refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners, which took effect from January 1, 2013.

Government, through its enforcement of Legislative Instrument (LI) 1932 (2008), recently banned the importation of old refrigerators.

The used electrical appliances, aside containing harmful gaseous substances, pose health risks to users and consume much electricity.

A visit by CITY & BUSINESS GUIDE to Kaneshie First Light, where a lot of second-hand electrical appliances are displayed for sale, revealed that the once-vibrant business had plummeted.

At 10 am, only few shops were open for business at Kaneshie.

A shop owner, who gave his name as Allotey Junior, told this paper that since the ban took effect business had plummeted.

“We hardly get about 10 people coming to buy from us on a daily basis. Before the ban, we used to serve over 20 customers a day.”

He noted that because they could no longer import used fridges, they have been forced to reduce the prices of the remaining stock in order to get rid of the appliances.

“A table top fridge, which sells at GH¢ 300, is now going for GH¢250 and GH¢200 while the double door which originally sells at GH¢450 is now selling at GH¢400,” Allotey emphasized.

Michael Annan, who shared similar sentiments, added that he would sell other used electronic appliances since the new fridges were expensive.

“The average Ghanaian cannot afford it,” he emphasized.

With government’s commitment of GH¢3 million towards encouraging the purchase of new refrigerators over a three-year pilot rebate and exchange programme, it is hoped that many Ghanaians can afford to buy brand new fridges.

Under the project, consumers, who ‘surrender’ their old refrigerator appliances, will be supported financially to pay part of the cost of a new and efficient one.

Consumers, who opt for higher efficiency refrigerator appliances, will also receive further rebates depending on the level of efficiency of their appliances.

Dr. Alfred Ofosu Ahenkorah, Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, promoters of the project, noted that the ban would save the nation about $33 million annually.

In an interview with this paper, he emphasized that “it is not our objective to destroy anyone’s business but at the same time the country risks being fined by the international community if we continue to import these harmful appliances.”

He indicated that talks were underway with a leading refrigerator manufacturer, which would set a factory in Ghana.

Consumers Pay More For Fake Phones

By Esther Awuah

Users of fake mobile phones are said to be spending more on their handsets.

This is because most of the fake mobile devices are made from substandard materials, hence their inability to last long.

Fred Opoku-Asare

Fred Opoku-Asare, a telecoms project management professional who stated this, indicated that “fake phones last only a few months because the batteries sometimes explode and you would have to visit the repairer several times a year. The inscriptions on the keypad rub off easily and you have to replace the casing. In the end, even though they retail cheaper they cost you more.”

Speaking at the quarterly Knowledge Forum organized by the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications in Accra, Mr. Opoku-Asare stated that manufacturers of fake phones do not subject the phones to quality tests so the phones come with substandard materials such as antennas and speakers, which interfere with the quality of calls the subscribers make.

In an interview with CITY & BUSINESS GUIDE, Mr. Opoku-Asare added that “users of fake phones are four times more likely to experience dropped calls, and find it as many times more difficult to initiate a call, according to research conducted in Brazil.”

He therefore cautioned Ghanaians to desist from using fake phones, as they have negative impact on their health and network operators.

They deny governments of revenues as most fake phones are smuggled into the country.

Major Emmanuel Owusu-Adansi (Rtd), Director of Special Projects at the National Communications Authority (NCA), said the authority was concerned about the influx of fake phones and would soon embark on educational campaigns.

“There are relevant laws and appropriate regulations to deal with this phenomenon, but we believe that we should start with public education,” he added.

NCA Denies Sabotaging NET 2 TV

By Esther Awuah

  

The National Communications Authority (NCA) has denied allegations that it has tampered with radio signals of Accra-based private television station, NET2 TV.

According to the authority, “This allegation is unfounded.”

It explained that to interfere with radio signals would require the use of a transmitter, which the NCA does not have and therefore cannot cause interference to any radio signal. 

Paarock VanPercy, NCA Boss

A statement issued by Paarock VanPercy, Director General of NCA, said the Authority has a spectrum monitoring equipment comprising receivers and analyzers.

It explained that “the NCA received a complaint from NET2 TV on Monday, 26^th November, 2012, about interference to their transmission in Accra.  Our monitoring team was therefore tasked to investigate the complaint. 

“A monitoring exercise carried out on November 28, 2012 from the Authority’s Fixed Monitoring Station revealed that there was no interfering signal on NET2 TV’s Channel (Channel 44).”

It further stated that subsequently the Chief Technician of NET2 TV on Thursday, November 29, 2012 was contacted to provide details of the nature and location of the said interference so a joint monitoring exercise could be conducted. 

“He indicated that a fault had been observed on NET2 TV’s main exciter which could possibly be the cause of the interference. The NCA Monitoring Team was therefore requested by the said technician to hold off until the installation of a new exciter after which the NCA may conduct a test if the problem still persists.”

The NCA indicated that it does not have the capacity nor interest to interfere with radio signals, adding, “We would like to assure the general public that the Authority would continue to carry out its mandate of regulating the communications space in the best interest of the country.”

AGRA Targets Smallholder Farmers

By Esther Awuah

Alliance for Green Revolution Africa (AGRA), in collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and the Science and Technology Policy Research Institute (CSIR-STEPRI), has launched a research project on the negative effect of climate change on agricultural productivity in Ghana.

The project, which started on November 1^st, 2012 and ends on May, 31 2015, is aimed at improving food security and reducing income volatility for smallholder farmers by enhancing their adaptation to climate change and variability in the breadbasket regions of Ghana.

According to AGRA, the issue of climate change “is exacerbated by policy gaps and low awareness levels both within government officials, policymakers, farmers and other stakeholders.”

It however noted that a few interventions have been put in place to enable smallholder farmers adopt best agricultural practices that improve their adaptation strategies to climate change.

At the launch of the project, Dr. Nelson Obirih-Opareh, the National Policy Hub Coordinator, AGRA stated that “government’s strategies have, in the main, failed to set priorities, interventions and targets which respond to climate change. This is evidenced by the fact that sectoral policies such as agricultural policies have not to date prioritised smallholder farmer adaptation to climate change.”

This, he said, highlights the need to improve inter-sectoral integration in the interest of climate change adaptation.

In addition, the country’s climate change policy framework does not adequately enhance agricultural policy and other sector strategies comprehensively nor does it consider a broad range of impacts as well as the interrelationship between a range of factors such as social exclusion, environmental damage and structural scarcity.

“Given the fact that the impact of climate change on the livelihoods of the smallholder farmers has particular consequences for rural women, policy provisions that do not pay sufficient attention to the situation of women in the face of the debilitating impacts of climate change and weather variability are problematic,” Mr. Obirih-Opareh.

The project will take place in identified four breadbasket regions of Ghana, which are Afram Plains, Northern region, Accra Plains and the Volta region. 

Google Goes Digital With Elections

By Esther Awuah

In line with its mission to improve internet usage, Google Ghana has been engaged in election related activities aimed at informing and educating people.

Through this initiative, Google Ghana has been engaging the media and civil society to use the internet and Google products to access information and make it relevant and understandable for Ghanaians. 

Estelle Akofio-Sowah

In an interview with CITY & BUSINESS GUIDE, Google Ghana Country Manager, Estelle Akofio-Sowah said, “Google is committed to democracy and that means helping citizens get the right information and political parties to get their information across.”

She noted that going digital this year has seen most of the political party candidates using Google plus, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter to actively engage and reach citizens with their message via the internet.

“There is room for improvement, but all in all this year has been different in terms of the party’s engagements on the internet,” said Ms Akofio-Sowah.

Last month Google hosted hundreds of people made up of developers, civil society and political parties to the "Elections Going Digital" event, which was aimed at promoting successful and transparent elections.

Ms Akofio-Sowah said the event created an atmosphere to share ideas related to elections, as well as ensure that Ghanaians find relevant election information.

She noted that going forward, Google Ghana would continue to work with its partners and the developer community to build more relevant internet applications.

As part of the programme, Google has launched the Ghana Election Hub (www.google.com.gh/election), which serves as a one stop place for all information on the elections.

Google also worked with the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) and the Multimedia Group to stream the presidential and vice presidential debates live on YouTube. 

EPA Outdoors Oil, Gas Guidelines

By Esther Awuah

In recognizing the enormity of the country’s oil and gas activities, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed technical guidelines to regulate the offshore activities.

Kojo Agbenor-Efunam,

The document, which is known as ‘Guidelines for Environmental Assessment and Management of Offshore Oil and Gas Development in Ghana,’ has been prepared to ensure the sustainable development of offshore oil and gas resources.

The guidelines are intended to: provide systematic procedures on environmental impact statement preparations for the sector, provide guidance on common potential impacts and mitigation measures, and ensure the development and production activities in Ghana’s exclusive Economic Zone and the continental shelf beyond its territory.

Launching the guidelines in Accra, Sissi Wilson, Board Chairman of EPA, said the document is also meant to contribute towards sound environmental management in the oil and gas sector.

He explained that “the EPA developed a master plan in 2008 to clearly delineate the key challenges that the industry brought and developed strategies and actions that should be taken to deal with those challenges.”

He added that the development of oil and gas guidelines is one of the key actions that the EPA identified in the Master Plan.

He said “during the development of the guidelines, a number of stakeholders including our Norwegian counterparts also took part in the review process and brought best industry practices to make these guidelines comparable to any international best practice guidelines.”

In an interview with CITY & BUSINESS GUIDE, Kojo Agbenor-Efunam, Deputy Director, in charge of oil and gas at EPA, said the guidelines would also help EPA in monitoring and auditing the oil companies.

He said “these guidelines would serve as a tool in knowing the exact things to look out for when conducting auditing and monitoring on oil and gas companies.”   

To ensure the implementation of the guidelines, Mr. Agbenor-Efunam noted that the workshop and training programmes had been organized for EPA staff and other relevant stakeholders to look out for compliance mechanisms.

He indicated the guideline focuses mainly on the oil sector, with a component of gas “but in future if it is realized that the gas industry is not adequately covered, or we see several challenges, we might have to develop a specific one for the gas sector.” 

Nokia Asha's First Anniversary

At the first anniversary celebration of Nokia Asha in Lagos Nigeria

Me

Some Nokia Executives displaying some of the Asha phones. In front of them is the birthday cake

The Asha Range of phones

Lufthansa Appoints New Country Manager

By Esther Awuah

Kevin Markette

Lufthansa Airlines has appointed Kevin Markette as its new General Manager for Ghana.
He replaces Yannick Aplogan, the current General Manager for Lufthansa in Gabon who worked in Ghana for four and half years.

Prior to his appointment, Mr. Markette served as Regional Manager Marketing & Business Development for Lufthansa in the United Arab Emirates, Gulf and Iraq
He was also the manager in charge of Pricing, Steering, Reservations and Ticketing in Southern and Eastern Africa.

At a media interaction to introduce him, Mr. Markette said “Ghana is a market with very good growth perspectives that is very much on the world’s attention.”

He said Lufthansa remains committed to the growth of the Ghanaian market, adding that he would endeavour to continue with the good work of his predecessor and the team.

Mr. Aplogan said working in Ghana was a pleasurable experience, taking into account the support and collaboration he got from the Airport Authority and his staff.

“I have been amazed at how my colleagues were always willing to go the extra mile to train and upgrade their skills to help make Lufthansa one of the best airlines in Ghana.”

He noted that Mr. Markette is the right person for this market considering his African background and vast experience in the organization.

Claus Becker, Lufthansa Managing Director, West and Central Africa, also commended Mr. Aplogan for his good work and expressed his happiness with Lufthansa’s operation and development in the Region, more especially Ghana.

He said “Ghana has a bright future if it is able to manage and keep its industries running besides the developing oil sector and Lufthansa would like to be part of this bright development.”

GhIPSS Introduces GH-Link Card Today

By Esther Awuah

As part of its mandate to migrate Ghana onto the electronic payment system, the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement System (GhIPSS) is expected to launch a new system called Ghana Link (GH-Link) card today November 21, 2012.

Archie Hesse

The infrastructure will interconnect all ATMs in the country, and a bearer of the GH-Link card can redraw money from any ATM, irrespective of the bank they save with.

Visa ATM card holders enjoy this service, but the difference is that all ATMs in the country will carry the GH-Link logo making them fully inter-operable.

Archie Hesse, General Manager in charge of Project and Business Development at GhIPPS, explained that “if I need money, and I am with one bank, I do not have to go round looking for my banks ATM machine. I can redraw money from any ATM available. This will help increase accessibility and create a more convenient way of banking.”

He noted that “the introduction of the GH-Link ATM cards forms part of activities by GhIPPS to improve interconnectivity amongst banks.”

Mr. Hesse, in an interview with City&Business Guide, noted that GhIPPS was working with the banking fraternity to decide on the interbank charges associated with the new system.

He noted that “on a pilot basis, a minimum charge of GH¢0.40 has been set per transaction, but that is subject to review.”

He stated that in the first quarter of 2013, the hybrid Point of Sale (POS) device which would accept every electronic card including the E-zwich and GH-Link Cards would be introduced.

This, he said, was also geared towards supporting and encouraging card payments in the country.

“We have had some challenges with the availability of POS devices and one of the points has been that E-zwich card holders can access it. But with the hybrid POS devices all card holders can access it making it more cost effective for the merchants,” Mr. Hesse explained.

Airlines, hotels and grocery shops are expected to take advantage of the new system. 

Business Confidence Plummets

By Esther Awuah

Nana Owusu Afari, AGI President

The confidence of the business community in the Ghana’s economy is tipped to go down in the final quarter of this year, the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI)’s Business Barometer Indicator (BBI) for the 3rd Quarter 2012 has stated.

The third quarter of 2012 recorded a confidence level of 19.8 which indicates a drop in business expectation over 26.2 recorded in the second quarter of 2012.

This implies that the fourth and final quarters of 2012 are expected to be affected by the development.

The report stated that irregular power supply was the topmost constraint to the growth of businesses in Ghana.

This development, according to the report “could be attributed to the load shedding exercise embarked upon by the Electricity Company of Ghana over the last four months.”

It noted that depreciation of the cedi and high level of taxation were ranked second and third respectively as obstacles restraining expansion of businesses in the country in the third quarter of 2012.

Low access to credit and cost of credit placed fourth and fifth positions respectively. At the tail end of the table are inflation, low purchasing power and competition from imported goods were ranked eighth, ninth and tenth respectively.

The report additionally notes: “this is the first time since the inception of the AGI Business barometer Survey that competition from imported goods is being ranked tenth. It is normally ranked at mid or upper end of the table. This shows how realistic the AGI Business Barometer is, as it always identifies the most pressing challenges facing the business community.”

The AGI BBI measures the level of confidence in the business environment and predicts short-term business trends. It expresses the state of the business climate in one number, ranging between +100 and –100. It is calculated out of “current” business mood and “expectations” for the future.

Decreasing business confidence often implies slowing economic growth because business owners are likely to decrease their investment.

It emphasizes: “Whilst about 57 percent of the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) interviewed in the second quarter of 2012 said they expect the performance of the business environment to improve in quarter three, only about 52 percent of the respondents interviewed in third quarter of 2012 feel same about quarter four.”

It further added that “the reasons assigned by the optimists are an improved market, increase in output of labour force and availability of raw materials.”

However, those who expect their businesses to perform poorly in quarter four 2012 compared to quarter three 2012 based their assertion on expected: depreciation of the cedi, increase in inflation and increase in the level of tax rate.