According to them the split would promote peace, unity and cohesion in the development of the area.

The MPs demonstrated their support and commitment by making donations of GH¢ 5,000.00 each with a promise to donate more to the Commission of Inquiry to facilitate their work.

This came light on Friday at a public hearing organized by the Commission to collate views and reasons for or against the creation of the region at Hwidiem in the Asutifi South District of the Brong Ahafo Region.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Kbpx9uSp1DHjk6KSpCVXJGSlH48KEnkM”]Speaking to Citi News on the sidelines of the programme, the MP for Asutifi South and Former Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Collins Dauda appealed to the constituents to remain resolute and support the petition to create the region as a proactive and sustained fight against poverty and underdevelopment militating against the development of the area.

He noted the agitation for the creation of the region started about fourteen years ago and the presence of the Commission in the area offers them the opportunity to prove there’s an urgent need and demand for the creation of the region.

Collins Dauda observed that the creation of regions was a campaign promise by the two major political parties and urged residents not to politicize the project.

“When we were campaigning prior to the 2016 elections, President Mahama made a promise to the people of Ahafo that if he retains power, he would ensure that Ahafo Region is created.

“The NDC was specific in our manifesto that we will create the Ahafo Region. The NPP on the other hand also made a similar promise that in an event Nana Akufo Addo becomes the President, he will also create regions. He is taking steps now to create the regions and all of us in Ahafo irrespective of our political divide support the creation of the region,” he said.

He assured Ghanaians of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s readiness to fully contribute to and support the agenda of creating the region.

Joseph Benhazin Daha, MP for Asutifi North called for a vigorous campaign for the creation of the region during the referendum which is devoid of insults and violence.

“At this stage, I will want our Bono family to know that we do not harbour anything against them. What we are seeking to do is break our developmental challenges into bits for efficient and effective management through the creation of the regions. So let’s put aside our differences and work towards improving the living standards of our people,” he said.

He believes the turnout to the hearings alone was enough to convince the commissioners to recommend to the President that the Ahafo Region be created.

The Commission of enquiry is currently hearing arguments for the creation of Ahafo Region after taking views and reasons from petitioners of the Bono East Region.

The region presented two petitions for the creation of the Bono East Region and Ahafo Region, out of the Brong Ahafo Region.

The Commission is expected to conclude its work in the region on Saturday (17-02-18) after engaging chiefs and people of Bechem, the capital of Tano South District at a public hearing.

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By: Mashoud Kombat/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post B/A: Ahafo MPs back proposals for new region appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Commission, upon the assumption of office, will tour the Volta, Western, Northern and the Brong Ahafo Regions, to solicit the views of residents on the creation of the new regions.

[contextly_sidebar id=”lanjwb81c0WXSh02y5qu6FabkfFpK0z6″]The Commission’s recommendations will subsequently be handed over to the Electoral Commission to organize a referendum on the matter within the various regions out of which the new ones will be carved out.

If  50% of persons living within the proposed areas endorse the proposal, the process of creating the new regions will then be implemented.

Expressing his optimism about the process which is yet to begin, the President said in a recent address that: “As you know, the constitution then says that, now having given a positive response to the request from the President, that the President will go ahead now and establish a commission of inquiry to look into the demand to see that it is reflecting in the responses from the people and also to deal with the ancillary issues that emerge. The boundaries, the name, and all of those matters will be the remit of the commission of inquiry. Once it is established, they will work expeditiously also as you have done.”

The commission’s recommendations will be handed over to the Electoral Commission to organize a referendum required to secure 50% endorsement of citizens of the proposed areas under consideration.

The carving of new regions was one of President Nana Addo’s several campaign promises in the run up to the election in 2016.

Government is seeking to split the Northern, Western, Volta and the Brong-Ahafo Regions, however some analysts have said the move is for political advantage.

But the Minister for Regional Reorganization, Dan Botwe, has dispelled such claims, saying it would instead enhance the economic opportunities as well as promote effective governance in such areas.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post Commission of inquiry for new regions to be inaugurated today appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This forms part of several investments to improve on network quality and boost customer experience among Tigo subscribers.

The multi-million dollar project, which begun towards the end of 2013, includes several district capitals in all 10 political regions of Ghana, namely: Ashanti, Greater Accra, Northern, Volta, Brong Ahafo, Western, Central, Upper East, Upper West and Eastern regions.

“The expansion work will not only increase our coverage footprints, but also enhance network quality which is core to Tigo’s operations and essential to customer satisfaction.

The decision to invest heavily in building a quality and robust network is to boost business and customer experience and ensure that we give customers value for money,” said the CEO, Roshi Motman.

She emphasized that the company was undertaking a rapid network transformation which would enable it to become more competitive and attractive to new and existing customers.

Tigo Ghana, in 2013, invested over 10 million dollars to improve network coverage and quality in over 750 communities across the country.

This was in addition to the expansion of the Accra Metro Fibre project, which boosted their broadband capacity and connected them to the West African Cable system for Internet Backbone capabilities.

A similar project was also carried out in Kumasi with a 40km fibre optic metro network.

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Source: Tigo Ghana

The post Tigo completes Mobile Broadband coverage in 160 district capitals appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The project is part of the Partnership for Financial Inclusion, a joint $37.4 million initiative of IFC and The MasterCard Foundation to expand microfinance and advance mobile financial services in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Roshi Motman, CEO of Tigo Ghana, which launched its mobile money operation Tigo Cash in 2011, said, “Together with  IFC and The MasterCard Foundation, Tigo Ghana is committed to extending financial inclusion. Following the five awards Tigo Cash received in 2013, this is further recognition of our innovative approach to the deployment of mobile financial services and our commitment to continually develop them.”

While mobile phone usage is high in Ghana, access to formal financial services remains low. Only 29 percent of adults in Ghana have an account at a formal financial institution. Among people with low income that number is only about 15 percent. Most poor people are left with no choice but to resort to informal, unregulated and often unreliable means of savings, credit and insurance.

At an event in Johannesburg, Selorm Adadevoh, Head of Mobile Financial Services at Tigo Ghana, said, “We are excited about this partnership, especially because the IFC and The MasterCard Foundation teams are bringing immense industry experience to support and help accelerate the growth of Tigo Cash and mobile financial services overall in Ghana”.

The project will run for three years and focus on customer education and acquisition, with IFC providing advisory services on business development, customer profiling and agent network management.

David Crush, Manager, IFC Access to Finance Sub-Saharan Africa, said, “The use of mobile phones and alternative distribution infrastructure represents a huge opportunity to fill the gap in the provision of financial services in Ghana, with significant commercial potential for operators able to build a business model that serves the base of the pyramid efficiently.”

Credit: Tigo Ghana

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