SARPONG'S BLOG

By: Fred Yaw Sarpong Telecommunication operator, Vodafone Ghana has been nominated for 12 awards in the 4th Ghana Telecom Awards (GTA) 2014, organised by the Mobile World Magazine. Vodafone nomination includes the Best Customer Care Company, Best Use of Social Media, Best Telecom Brand, Telecom Business Service, Mobile Broadband Internet Service, Mobile Operator, CSR Company, Telecom Wholesale Provider, Mobile Broadband Service and Mobile Innovative Product of the year. The company’s innovative product ‘Red’ was also nominated among others in the Marketing Campaign of the Year category, while the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Haris Broumidis was shortlisted for the CEO of the Year. A statement from the company indicates these nominations serve as recognition for the hard work by Vodafone particularly in satisfying customers given how competitive the Ghanaian telecom industry has become over the past few years. As has always been the case, Vodafone strives tow...

By: Fred Yaw Sarpong UT bank’s revenue lines remained strong in 2013. The bank’s interest income was GHc188 million, representing a 40% increase from the previous year, while non-funded income increased from GHc43 million to GHc53 million. However, the 60% growth in interest expense, attributed to the higher average rate on government securities, negatively affected the bank financial performance. Total income increased by 19% to GHc125 million, a comparatively slower growth. The Chairman of the bank, Mr. Joseph Nsonamoah announced this at the bank’s 2013 Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Accra. The AGM was to consider and adopt the statement of account of the company for the year ended 31st December 2013 together with the reports of the directors. Mr. Nsonamoah noted that ‘given the negative impact of the tough economic conditions on our customers’ businesses, the bank took a more prudent stance with regard to our provisioning. We consequently increased the charge fo...

Nestlé Ghana has launched a Graduate Trainee Recruitment Assessment Centre that will enable the company nurture superior talents to join its Supply Chain, Sales, Marketing and Finance Departments for long-term career opportunities. The Assessment Center serves as a platform to coach and adequately prepare young talents, providing them with equal opportunities for their development and advancement in a recognized multi-national company. The initiative is part of efforts by Nestlé to find people with the required skills that meet the company’s expectation, while ensuring the sustainability of training to unlock the potential of the youth in Ghana and elsewhere in the region.  Strengthening Our Talent Pool The first assessment attracted over 800 applicants who responded to advertisements placed on the Nestlé e-recruitment platform ( www.nestlé-cwa.com/en/jobs ) and in some national dailies. Of the number, 430 were shortlisted for an aptitude test out of which 28 were in...

By: Mathias Amoah The management of Merchant Bank Ghana has change the name of the bank to Universal Merchant Bank. The Universal Merchant Bank intend to delivers customer-focused banking services that are friendly, relevant, interesting, rewarding, intuitive and fun. The re-branding will see its previous colours blue and white change to black and yellow, likewise the logo of the bank. This reflect the bank’s new look and image intends to reclaim its position as the premier corporate bank and expand into retail banking. The Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Ms Nilla Selormey said this does not imply that the good practices and achievement of that bank are gone. According to her the change of name implies growth, new ideas, new and improved products. ‘As a proud parent trains a child to grow properly, and carry on the family name, so will we carry the torch that was lit when Merchant Bank was founded. We bring new experiences, new expertise, and freshness to your ban...

By: Raphael Apetorgbor Government has debunked reports from the New York Times alleging that some government officials used a private jet, Bombardier belonging to Ibrahim Mahama, younger brother of sitting President, John Dramani Mahama which recently landed in Iran. The story titled, ”U.S.-Flagged plane in Iran has ties to Ghana” questioned the basis on which a US airline landed in Iran without approval. The report said one image captured the plane flying to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where President Mahama had spoken in September.  According to The New York Times, the visit came as Iran sought to cultivate close relations with West African countries, including Ghana, which also enjoyed warm relations with the United States.  In what seemed like an indirect reference to the chilly relationship between the United States and Iran, Marziyeh Afkham, the Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman who announced the purpose of the visit, in a statement...