INTERCONTINENTAL Bank Ghana (IBG) has forged an alliance with eTranzact, an on-line service provider to provide on-line banking services for customers of Databank Ghana.
By this collaboration, customers of Databank with investments in EPACK, MFUND, and BFUND can conveniently make top-up payments on their investments at any branch of Intercontinental Bank.
Customers can also make payment through eTranzact by online and such payments will be credited to the customer's account with Databank.
At the launch of the collaboration at the office of Databank, a representative of the Managing Director of IBG, Mr Moses Coffie explained that customers must first open an investment account with Databank after which top-up of their investments could be channelled through IBG or eTranzact.
Mr Coffie said the collaboration between the three institutions was aimed at providing customers of Databank and IBG easy access to their investment accounts.
"We want to bring investment to the door step of the Ghanaian who might not have the time to always walk to the office of Databank to top-up their investment accounts with Databank," he said.
The Chief Operating Officer of eTranzact, Mr George Babafemi said the mobile airtime top-up service would enable customers their mobile phones to top-up with any amount of their choice.
Mr Babafemi hinted that the company would also introduce e-billing and value added service onto the Ghanaian environment.
He said their services were also available for buyers and sellers of goods and services who could utilise it to make and receive payment for purchases and sales.
A Director of Databank, Mr Yoofi Grant said his outfit duly recognised the need to make their services, particularly, investment products available to the general public.
"Many of us live in poverty because of our inability to put aside the little that we make," he stated.
He urged Ghanaians to take full advantage of the world’s financial crisis and make the needed investments; "all you need is the right information on the financial market and where to invest,” he stated.
Friday, May 8, 2009
DVLA New numbers
THE introduction of unique number plates for motorbikes is to curb the activities of criminals who fix the number plates of motorbikes on cars for criminal activities, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has explained.
The Greater Accra Regional Licensing Officer, Mr Abraham Tettey, told the Daily Graphic that there had been instances when criminals had affixed number plates of motorbikes on cars for criminal activities, making it difficult for the police to identify particular cars that were used for the crimes.
He added that using the same number plates for both motorbikes and vehicles also exhausted the number plates too quickly.
Mr Tettey said under the new arrangement, the old number plates of motorbikes would be changed for new ones when their owners went to renew their road worthiness certificates, a marked departure from what pertained in the past when all the number plates were changed during a particular period, putting pressure on the DVLA.
“However, those who want to change their number plates before their road worthiness certificates expire can do so,” he added.
Mr Tettey indicated that in January this year the DVLA registered 571 motorbikes, 716 in February and 892 in March, bringing the number to 2,179 as of the end of March.
He appealed to the general public to stop patronising the activities of agents who, according to him, charged huge sums of money from the people for the services they provided.
He said the authority had, with the help of the Information Services Department, mounted an information van on the premises of the DVLA to educate the general public on its operations.
That, he said, was in the short term, adding, “We are putting up our own public address system to provide information for clients who come to the yard.”
In addition, he said, the DVLA had set up a customer service department to provide client services for the public.
Some clients and would-be clients of the DVLA who spoke to the Daily Graphic lauded the innovations and indicated that they were in line with practices elsewhere.
They, however, urged the authority to make its services faster, as the long hours spent in processing documents accounted for the use of agents.
The Greater Accra Regional Licensing Officer, Mr Abraham Tettey, told the Daily Graphic that there had been instances when criminals had affixed number plates of motorbikes on cars for criminal activities, making it difficult for the police to identify particular cars that were used for the crimes.
He added that using the same number plates for both motorbikes and vehicles also exhausted the number plates too quickly.
Mr Tettey said under the new arrangement, the old number plates of motorbikes would be changed for new ones when their owners went to renew their road worthiness certificates, a marked departure from what pertained in the past when all the number plates were changed during a particular period, putting pressure on the DVLA.
“However, those who want to change their number plates before their road worthiness certificates expire can do so,” he added.
Mr Tettey indicated that in January this year the DVLA registered 571 motorbikes, 716 in February and 892 in March, bringing the number to 2,179 as of the end of March.
He appealed to the general public to stop patronising the activities of agents who, according to him, charged huge sums of money from the people for the services they provided.
He said the authority had, with the help of the Information Services Department, mounted an information van on the premises of the DVLA to educate the general public on its operations.
That, he said, was in the short term, adding, “We are putting up our own public address system to provide information for clients who come to the yard.”
In addition, he said, the DVLA had set up a customer service department to provide client services for the public.
Some clients and would-be clients of the DVLA who spoke to the Daily Graphic lauded the innovations and indicated that they were in line with practices elsewhere.
They, however, urged the authority to make its services faster, as the long hours spent in processing documents accounted for the use of agents.
Barclays
BARCLAYS Bank Ghana Limited and the African Regent Hotel have initiated moves to raise funds for a solar energy project for the Tari Number One Clinic in the Northern Region.
As part of the moves, a dinner was held in Accra last Friday in honour of the two youngest managing directors in Ghana, Mr Benjamin Dabra of Barclays Bank and Ms Abena Amoah of New World Renaissance Securities, during which funds were raised for the project.
About GH¢2,000 was raised, while individuals and companies pledged GH¢3,000.
The cost of a solar energy system for the clinic is estimated at more than GH¢60,000. The clinic, constructed with funds raised by Barclays Bank, is to serve members of the community, but it currently does not have any source of power supply.
Other events organised by Barclays Bank for the initiative include the sale of wrist bands and a special breakfast sale to staff of the bank.
A grand dinner will be held in Tamale tomorrow, during which funds will be solicited from opinion leaders, chiefs, parliamentarians and district chief executives.
Mr Dabra and Ms Amoah spoke about leadership and leadership development for the youth in the marketplace and shared their personal experiences as managing directors.
The Head of Corporate Affairs of Barclays Bank, Mrs Shola Safo-Duodu, said the nearest clinic in the area was at Daboya, which was about an hour’s drive from the mainland.
Tari Number One was, therefore, chosen as a central site for the construction of a clinic to serve the other communities in the area.
She told the Daily Graphic that the clinic had been completed but had no source of electricity, adding that the cost of connecting the clinic to the nearest electricity grid was quite expensive.
A solar power supply system was, therefore, identified as an option.
Other companies supporting the initiative are the Graphic Communications Group, Joy FM, Asempa FM, Adom FM, TV3 Network, the Accra Mall, Deroy’s Cuisine, SuperCopy and Joe Oppong Studios.
As part of the moves, a dinner was held in Accra last Friday in honour of the two youngest managing directors in Ghana, Mr Benjamin Dabra of Barclays Bank and Ms Abena Amoah of New World Renaissance Securities, during which funds were raised for the project.
About GH¢2,000 was raised, while individuals and companies pledged GH¢3,000.
The cost of a solar energy system for the clinic is estimated at more than GH¢60,000. The clinic, constructed with funds raised by Barclays Bank, is to serve members of the community, but it currently does not have any source of power supply.
Other events organised by Barclays Bank for the initiative include the sale of wrist bands and a special breakfast sale to staff of the bank.
A grand dinner will be held in Tamale tomorrow, during which funds will be solicited from opinion leaders, chiefs, parliamentarians and district chief executives.
Mr Dabra and Ms Amoah spoke about leadership and leadership development for the youth in the marketplace and shared their personal experiences as managing directors.
The Head of Corporate Affairs of Barclays Bank, Mrs Shola Safo-Duodu, said the nearest clinic in the area was at Daboya, which was about an hour’s drive from the mainland.
Tari Number One was, therefore, chosen as a central site for the construction of a clinic to serve the other communities in the area.
She told the Daily Graphic that the clinic had been completed but had no source of electricity, adding that the cost of connecting the clinic to the nearest electricity grid was quite expensive.
A solar power supply system was, therefore, identified as an option.
Other companies supporting the initiative are the Graphic Communications Group, Joy FM, Asempa FM, Adom FM, TV3 Network, the Accra Mall, Deroy’s Cuisine, SuperCopy and Joe Oppong Studios.
(JHS leaver drowns in swimming pool at Nungua)
A 15-year-old Junior High school (JHS) graduate, Daniel Bortey Borketey, died at a pool party at the Royal Majesty Hotel at Nungua, a day after he finished writing his Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
Borketey, a pupil of the St Joseph’s School and said to be about 4.6 feet tall, got drowned in a nine-feet swimming pool at the hotel which was formerly known as the Royal Ravico Hotel.
At the same time his friends were attending to another boy who had earlier on been rescued from drowning.
The pool party, which was organised by the Red Lyon Entertainment, an event organiser based in Nungua, was meant for final year JHS graduates who sat for the 2009 BECE.
The roll call of some prominent local artistes like, Kwaw Kesse, Tinny, Mzbel and ASEM, as well as some foreign artistes, advertised on the bill by the organisers, was said to have attracted a large number of BECE graduates to the pool party.
However, investigations conducted by the Daily Graphic indicated none of those artistes turned up for the event.
When the Daily Graphic contacted the police at the Kpeshie Divisional Headquarters, they confirmed the story and added that the body of the deceased had been deposited at the Police Hospital for autopsy.
According to the police, the pool party attracted JHS graduates from most of the schools in the Teshie-Nungua community , which was to start at 6:00pm till day break (TDB).
The police also alleged that some of the graduates were seen drinking alcoholic beverages, which they suspected to have been bought from a nearby drinking spot since the hotel did not serve such drinks.
The mother of the boy, Madam Ellen Borkwei Kalebi, told the Daily Graphic that she overheard her son telling his brothers that he was attending a party.
She said she asked him not to attend the party and instead asked him to wash his clothes which he had soaked .
Madam Borkwei explained that a few hours later at about 8:30 p.m., she had a call informing her about the incidence and immediately the decased sisters rushed to the hotel.
The sisters alleged that when Bortey was brought out of the pool, the organisers of the programme refused to take him to the hospital and rather asked those who knew him to do so.
She said sensing danger, the family members took him to the Christian Medical Centre at Nungua but doctors there referred them to the La General Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
According to Madam Borkwei, when she contacted the hotel manager, he denied that such an incident had occurred at the hotel.
When the Daily Graphic contacted the director of the hotel, he refused to talk to this reporter, and the staff members also declined to talk about the incident.
A number of people the Daily Graphic interviewed, referred to the organisers as people who only wanted to make money and called for a ban on such programmes, particularly for JHS graduates.
When the Daily Graphic contacted one of the organisers on telephone, he demanded to know the identity of this reporter after which he declined to comment on the incident, directing the reporter to the police.
Borketey, a pupil of the St Joseph’s School and said to be about 4.6 feet tall, got drowned in a nine-feet swimming pool at the hotel which was formerly known as the Royal Ravico Hotel.
At the same time his friends were attending to another boy who had earlier on been rescued from drowning.
The pool party, which was organised by the Red Lyon Entertainment, an event organiser based in Nungua, was meant for final year JHS graduates who sat for the 2009 BECE.
The roll call of some prominent local artistes like, Kwaw Kesse, Tinny, Mzbel and ASEM, as well as some foreign artistes, advertised on the bill by the organisers, was said to have attracted a large number of BECE graduates to the pool party.
However, investigations conducted by the Daily Graphic indicated none of those artistes turned up for the event.
When the Daily Graphic contacted the police at the Kpeshie Divisional Headquarters, they confirmed the story and added that the body of the deceased had been deposited at the Police Hospital for autopsy.
According to the police, the pool party attracted JHS graduates from most of the schools in the Teshie-Nungua community , which was to start at 6:00pm till day break (TDB).
The police also alleged that some of the graduates were seen drinking alcoholic beverages, which they suspected to have been bought from a nearby drinking spot since the hotel did not serve such drinks.
The mother of the boy, Madam Ellen Borkwei Kalebi, told the Daily Graphic that she overheard her son telling his brothers that he was attending a party.
She said she asked him not to attend the party and instead asked him to wash his clothes which he had soaked .
Madam Borkwei explained that a few hours later at about 8:30 p.m., she had a call informing her about the incidence and immediately the decased sisters rushed to the hotel.
The sisters alleged that when Bortey was brought out of the pool, the organisers of the programme refused to take him to the hospital and rather asked those who knew him to do so.
She said sensing danger, the family members took him to the Christian Medical Centre at Nungua but doctors there referred them to the La General Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
According to Madam Borkwei, when she contacted the hotel manager, he denied that such an incident had occurred at the hotel.
When the Daily Graphic contacted the director of the hotel, he refused to talk to this reporter, and the staff members also declined to talk about the incident.
A number of people the Daily Graphic interviewed, referred to the organisers as people who only wanted to make money and called for a ban on such programmes, particularly for JHS graduates.
When the Daily Graphic contacted one of the organisers on telephone, he demanded to know the identity of this reporter after which he declined to comment on the incident, directing the reporter to the police.
Share information on energy
THE acting Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mr Alex Kofi Mould, has called for information sharing on energy within Africa to avoid the mistakes made by other countries.
That, he said, would facilitate the efforts of governments aimed at addressing the numerous challenges in the energy sector for the socio-economic growth of the continent.
Mr Mould said this at the opening ceremony of a five-day regional training course on how to formulate national energy plans and strategies for African countries by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Accra.
He said energy supply was a prerequisite for the development of a modern economy, wealth creation, poverty alleviation and the creation of employment opportunities in the country.
“Therefore, it is imperative that increased access to modern forms of energy supply at an affordable price is a necessary condition for socio-economic growth and the fulfilment of a number of economic and social goals of government,” he said.
Mr Mould also explained that the government’s strategy of transforming the country’s economy from a low-income one into a middle-income status with about $1,000 per capita income by the end of the decade would require the supply of modern forms of energy.
He, however, said that would require a comprehensive energy plan to examine new energy choices for the sustainable development of the energy sector so that the required future demand for energy to support the economy would be met.
”The current challenges facing the country’s energy supply system must not be allowed to persist,” he added.
In his address, the Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, Dr Alfred Ofosu-Ahenkorah, said the commission would submit to the government a comprehensive energy policy for the development and utilisation of indigenous energy resources in the country.
He said it would also advise the Minister of Energy on national policies for the efficient, economical and safe supply of electricity, natural gas and petroleum products for rapid socio-economic growth.
He added that to achieve that objective, the commission had put in place the needed human resource to develop long-term energy plan, programmes and policies to ensure that current challenges and future ones in the sector were addressed.
For her part, the IAEA representative, Dr (Ms) Farzana Naqvi, said the objective of the training programme was to enhance the energy planning capabilities of the participating countries to come up with national energy policies for the sustainable development of the continent.
Dr Farzana stressed that the IAEA sought to assist participating countries to strengthen and sustain their institutional capacities for effective energy planning in those countries.
That, he said, would facilitate the efforts of governments aimed at addressing the numerous challenges in the energy sector for the socio-economic growth of the continent.
Mr Mould said this at the opening ceremony of a five-day regional training course on how to formulate national energy plans and strategies for African countries by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Accra.
He said energy supply was a prerequisite for the development of a modern economy, wealth creation, poverty alleviation and the creation of employment opportunities in the country.
“Therefore, it is imperative that increased access to modern forms of energy supply at an affordable price is a necessary condition for socio-economic growth and the fulfilment of a number of economic and social goals of government,” he said.
Mr Mould also explained that the government’s strategy of transforming the country’s economy from a low-income one into a middle-income status with about $1,000 per capita income by the end of the decade would require the supply of modern forms of energy.
He, however, said that would require a comprehensive energy plan to examine new energy choices for the sustainable development of the energy sector so that the required future demand for energy to support the economy would be met.
”The current challenges facing the country’s energy supply system must not be allowed to persist,” he added.
In his address, the Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, Dr Alfred Ofosu-Ahenkorah, said the commission would submit to the government a comprehensive energy policy for the development and utilisation of indigenous energy resources in the country.
He said it would also advise the Minister of Energy on national policies for the efficient, economical and safe supply of electricity, natural gas and petroleum products for rapid socio-economic growth.
He added that to achieve that objective, the commission had put in place the needed human resource to develop long-term energy plan, programmes and policies to ensure that current challenges and future ones in the sector were addressed.
For her part, the IAEA representative, Dr (Ms) Farzana Naqvi, said the objective of the training programme was to enhance the energy planning capabilities of the participating countries to come up with national energy policies for the sustainable development of the continent.
Dr Farzana stressed that the IAEA sought to assist participating countries to strengthen and sustain their institutional capacities for effective energy planning in those countries.
Accra Methodist Diocese holds 48th Synod
THE 48th Synod of the Accra Diocese of the Methodist Church opened yesterday with a call on Christians to be in the forefront in the campaign against social vices in the country.
The four-day synod, on the theme, "Challenges of Evangelism and Discipleship in the Accra Diocese", will discuss policies and programmes towards increasing the membership of the church.
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Armah Ashitey, who made the call, said they could achieve that objective through “reaching out to the world with the word of God”.
He said evangelism had become important at a time there was a global crisis which appeared to suggest the last days of the world.
Furthermore, he said evangelism had become crucial in view of the increasing rate of crime, coupled with the fact that mankind had become lovers of worldly things, particularly money.
Mr Ashitey, therefore, appealed to the leadership of the Church to use the pulpit to re-orient the character of the members, particularly the youth of the church, towards adopting the lifestyle of Christ.
"Let us use our Sunday schools to teach the youth, who are particularly vulnerable, the ethics of honest living and that success in life will only come through hard work," he added.
He commended the church for the role it played in the form of prayers, among others, during the 2008 elections, which brought the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Prof Atta Mills to power.
Mr Ashitey asked the Church to continue to partner the central government to curb the challenges in the environment and sanitation sector, road accident, anti-social activities and prostitution in the country.
In his address, the Bishop of the Accra Diocese, Rt Rev Abraham Tagoe, bemoaned the increasing number of cases of corruption in the country even among Christians, noting that it was sad to hear that that act had found its way into the Church.
Rev Tagoe said it was important for the Christian to seek wealth, but "this must done in the right way as to depict the Christ in you," he added.
He mentioned that the recent acts of Internet fraud, particularly the one referred to as "sakawa" among the youth, must be discouraged to protect the youth from untimely death as seen in recent times.
Touching on the political situation in the country, the bishop said that there was too much antagonism among political parties and their leaders, particularly between the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Rev Tagoe said that situation was not in the best interest of the nation and the unity that Ghanaians yearned for daily in their prayers.
Rev Tagoe told the congregation that the six-per cent growth chalked up by the church in Accra in the year under review was not the best, hence the need for a deliberate effort to address it.
He attributed the unimpressive growth in the church to ineffective follow-up to individuals who came to visit the church. "Available records in this connection is rather poor; we need dedicated men and women to constantly be in touch with those who come to visit and monitor them to offer help, if need be".
He called on the pastors of the church to focus more on evangelism outreach programmes rather than revival meeting which had always been an internal programme.
"When alter calls are made during these revival meetings, it is mostly the same church members who come forward and this practise does not add to the membership of the church,” he said.
There were fraternal greetings from sister churches.
The four-day synod, on the theme, "Challenges of Evangelism and Discipleship in the Accra Diocese", will discuss policies and programmes towards increasing the membership of the church.
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Armah Ashitey, who made the call, said they could achieve that objective through “reaching out to the world with the word of God”.
He said evangelism had become important at a time there was a global crisis which appeared to suggest the last days of the world.
Furthermore, he said evangelism had become crucial in view of the increasing rate of crime, coupled with the fact that mankind had become lovers of worldly things, particularly money.
Mr Ashitey, therefore, appealed to the leadership of the Church to use the pulpit to re-orient the character of the members, particularly the youth of the church, towards adopting the lifestyle of Christ.
"Let us use our Sunday schools to teach the youth, who are particularly vulnerable, the ethics of honest living and that success in life will only come through hard work," he added.
He commended the church for the role it played in the form of prayers, among others, during the 2008 elections, which brought the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Prof Atta Mills to power.
Mr Ashitey asked the Church to continue to partner the central government to curb the challenges in the environment and sanitation sector, road accident, anti-social activities and prostitution in the country.
In his address, the Bishop of the Accra Diocese, Rt Rev Abraham Tagoe, bemoaned the increasing number of cases of corruption in the country even among Christians, noting that it was sad to hear that that act had found its way into the Church.
Rev Tagoe said it was important for the Christian to seek wealth, but "this must done in the right way as to depict the Christ in you," he added.
He mentioned that the recent acts of Internet fraud, particularly the one referred to as "sakawa" among the youth, must be discouraged to protect the youth from untimely death as seen in recent times.
Touching on the political situation in the country, the bishop said that there was too much antagonism among political parties and their leaders, particularly between the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Rev Tagoe said that situation was not in the best interest of the nation and the unity that Ghanaians yearned for daily in their prayers.
Rev Tagoe told the congregation that the six-per cent growth chalked up by the church in Accra in the year under review was not the best, hence the need for a deliberate effort to address it.
He attributed the unimpressive growth in the church to ineffective follow-up to individuals who came to visit the church. "Available records in this connection is rather poor; we need dedicated men and women to constantly be in touch with those who come to visit and monitor them to offer help, if need be".
He called on the pastors of the church to focus more on evangelism outreach programmes rather than revival meeting which had always been an internal programme.
"When alter calls are made during these revival meetings, it is mostly the same church members who come forward and this practise does not add to the membership of the church,” he said.
There were fraternal greetings from sister churches.
stratcomm commends Graphic
THE Chief Executive Officer of Strategic Communications Africa Limited (Stratcomm Africa), Madam Esther Cobbah, has commended the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) for setting high journalistic standard in the country.
Madam Cobbah said this when she paid a courtesy call on the Editor of the Daily Graphic, Mr Ransford Tetteh, to inform him about activities lined up to mark her company's 15 years of providing communication and reputation management solutions to the general public.
The visit was also to thank GCGL for its support and partnership over the years, which Madam Cobbah said had been of immense help to the company’s image.
"We as a company have been able to make it because your newspaper has always been available to help us grow the company and we are grateful," she added.
Madam Cobbah said her organisation had overcome many of its challenges partly due to the cordial relations it had with GCGL.
"It is, therefore, important that we get you involved in celebrating our achievements over the years," she said.
She called on Ghanaians to see communication as a tool that could be used to accelerate development and the eradication of poverty in the country.
Madam Cobbah noted that it was sad for organisations to call on media institutions only when they were in crisis.
Mr Tetteh, for his part, said the newspaper was prepared at all times to help grow the businesses of organisations in the country.
He said "as pacesetters in the media industry, all others are looking up to us to promote their businesses and we have positioned ourselves to do just that".
Mr Tetteh said GCGL would continue to partner media organisations to provide employment for the numerous Ghanaian youth.
He commended the management of Stratcomm Africa for helping to build an effective media industry in the country, adding that both organisations would continue to collaborate in the interest of the media industry.
Some of the programmes lined up for the anniversary celebration are reading competition in schools aimed at promoting the culture of reading in schoolchildren to build a literate society.
Madam Cobbah said this when she paid a courtesy call on the Editor of the Daily Graphic, Mr Ransford Tetteh, to inform him about activities lined up to mark her company's 15 years of providing communication and reputation management solutions to the general public.
The visit was also to thank GCGL for its support and partnership over the years, which Madam Cobbah said had been of immense help to the company’s image.
"We as a company have been able to make it because your newspaper has always been available to help us grow the company and we are grateful," she added.
Madam Cobbah said her organisation had overcome many of its challenges partly due to the cordial relations it had with GCGL.
"It is, therefore, important that we get you involved in celebrating our achievements over the years," she said.
She called on Ghanaians to see communication as a tool that could be used to accelerate development and the eradication of poverty in the country.
Madam Cobbah noted that it was sad for organisations to call on media institutions only when they were in crisis.
Mr Tetteh, for his part, said the newspaper was prepared at all times to help grow the businesses of organisations in the country.
He said "as pacesetters in the media industry, all others are looking up to us to promote their businesses and we have positioned ourselves to do just that".
Mr Tetteh said GCGL would continue to partner media organisations to provide employment for the numerous Ghanaian youth.
He commended the management of Stratcomm Africa for helping to build an effective media industry in the country, adding that both organisations would continue to collaborate in the interest of the media industry.
Some of the programmes lined up for the anniversary celebration are reading competition in schools aimed at promoting the culture of reading in schoolchildren to build a literate society.
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