Dr. Nduom was accompanied by representatives of Groupe Nduom (GN) companies based in Washington DC,  USA.

Also present at the meeting were the Trade & Investment and Economic Affairs Counselors at the Ghanaian Embassy.

Welcoming the celebrated Ghanaian business magnate, Dr. Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah expressed his appreciation to Groupe Nduom for initiating the meeting and providing valuable information about the activities of the company in the USA.

He said it was encouraging that a company with foundation in Ghana was growing and moving to the global stage.

This he said will help bring the necessary resources back to Ghana and help create the needed jobs at home as well.

Dr. Nduom on his part traced the history of Groupe Nduom to the Washington DC area to the late 1980s, and said it was only appropriate to have an office there.

He announced that Groupe Nduom will open a Liaison Office in Alexandria in the metropolitan area at the end of March, to provide information on how to do business with the company in Ghana and other parts of Africa.

Dr. Nduom also introduced a number of his outfit’s products and services including GN Bank’s Diaspora Account which allows Ghanaians to open and operate bank accounts in Ghana while abroad; Gold Coast investment and pension accounts; FD Mobile, which allows people to watch live television from Ghana; GN Radio USA programmes; life insurance products among others.

He promised to send samples of rice produced in Ghana for tasting by the Embassy’s staff.

The business mogul also announced the introduction of PayGlobal, a remittance product he said would provide total convenience to users and help the country with its foreign exchange needs.

Groupe Nduom, he said, was ready to support the programmes and outreach activities of the Embassy to promote Ghana and Made-In-Ghana products to Americans and Ghanaians in the USA.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Nduom meets Ghana’s Ambassador to US, Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The heart-warming festival of 9 lessons and carols afforded employees, stakeholders, and guests an opportunity to dance, worship God amidst hymns and carols.

Gracing the occasion was the Winneba Youth Choir with soothing musical renditions.

The President and Chairman of Groupe Nduom, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom expressed his appreciation to God for His mercies and favours and wished everyone happy holidays.

The General Manager of Coconut Grove Regency Hotel, Accra, Mr. Ralph Ayitey assured customers that the hotel will continue to offer quality services that exceeds their expectation.

He used the occasion to commend Dr. and Mrs. Nduom for their efforts in building Coconut Grove Hotels Ghana and promoting the hospitality industry in the country.

Maame Adwoa Nduom, the granddaughter of Dr. and Mrs. Nduom, treated the gathering to her sterling eloquence as she took to the stage to read the second lesson of the night which was taken from Genesis 22:15–18.

Employees, stakeholders, and guests who were gathered at the event ceased the occasion to reflect on the goodness of the Lord throughout the year and expressed their gratitude in singing and dancing.

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By: citifimonline.com/Ghana

The post Groupe Nduom, Coconut Grove hold Carols Night service appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The BoG at a meeting with Managing Directors of commercial banks last Friday announced the increase in the minimum capital requirement from ¢120 million to ¢400 million.

Commercial banks would be given up to December 2018 to meet the new capital which represents an increase of 233 percent.

However speaking in an interview with journalists in Accra, Dr. Nduom said although he disagrees with the BoG, plans to raise the money has already begun.

“Our intent definitely is to meet that requirement and we should be able to do so. We may disagree with the Bank of Ghana on this one. But they make the rules. We will raise the funds needed. GN Bank is here to stay and make a positive difference in the lives of the people in the towns and villages our bank was set up to serve,” he noted.

He also called on other Ghanaian-owned banks to do well to meet the December 2018 deadline.

‘BoG minimum capital not good’

Dr. Nduom, said the BoG’s decision to increase the minimum capital requirement for all banks from a one hundred and twenty million Ghana cedis (GH¢120,000,000) to four hundred million Ghana cedis (GH¢400,000,000) was not a good move.

According to him, banks have different focus and target groups and as such, some make more money than others and so asking all of them to fulfill the same requirement will only lead to the collapse of some banks.

He said, “there are banks that have different purposes, different goals so to lump all the banks together and say that everybody must meet a certain minimum without regard to their business objectives or their goals or their business plan for me it is not right for a system such as what we have here in Ghana.”

According to Dr. Nduom, the Bank of Ghana can draw lessons from countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States of America where people can set up banks with as little as £10,000,000 and $5,000,000 respectively based on their objectives.

He noted there shouldn’t be efforts to force the reduction of banks in Ghana as that will not augur well for the country in the long-run.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post GN Bank can meet minimum capital requirement – Nduom appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

A Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Robert Ahomka Lindsay outlined the challenges that have prevented the factory which was commissioned for work to start in May 2016 by former President John Mahama.

[contextly_sidebar id=”0weXnWnpWr7sz9mpfFawBT3ewmAsNCap”]Highlighting these challenges on the Citi Breakfast Show, the Minister indicated that the variety of sugarcane planted on lands secured for sugar production at Komenda did not contain the appropriate levels of sugar content for production.

“The variety that has been planted of which about 25 acres is ready to be transplanted is the variety that does not have the sugar content to make it economic for us to plant another 2,000 acres. The second point is that 2,000 acres will not be anywhere near enough to meet the need of the actual factory. So we have address variety issues and ensure that we have enough lands to make sure to ensure that the appropriate number of sugarcane needed for sugar is available

The Minister indicated these challenges might unnecessarily drag moves to make the factory operational in record time.

He however indicated that government is taking measures to resolve these challenges.

“We aware of some of the challenges and we are addressing them. We have been in contact with the managers of the factory for sometime now and we have been constantly been engaged.”

This revelation comes in the wake of government’s plans to revive some factories that have been defunct for sometime now.

The Komenda Sugar Factory which was shut down for weeks after President Mahama commissioned it in May 2016 was reopened 7 days before election.

Government was subsequently criticized for hurriedly opening the factory merely for political expediency in an election year, despite the lack of raw materials for production.

Gov’t doesn’t have skills to run sugar factory – Nduom

Founder and leader of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), Dr. Paa Kwesi Ndoum, suggested at the time that President John Dramani Mahama and his administration lack the required capacity to effectively run a business such as the Komenda Sugar Factory.

The renowned entrepreneur, who had criticized what he called the hasty opening of the Komenda Sugar Factory, questioned the rationale behind government’s decision to among others borrow money to start running the factory without planning for raw materials to feed it.

He said the decision to borrow all the money needed as startup capital for the factory, breaches the rules of entrepreneurship.

Critics had earlier warned that government’s decision to inaugurate the factory without the needed raw materials such as the unavailability of sugarcane to feed the factory, unattractive prices for sugarcane produced by farmers and the high cost of irregular electrical power, may soon cripple it.

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

The post Komenda Sugar Factory still not ready for full operations – Minister appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The private sector, he said, was a key component in accelerating the country’s economic development.

Dr Nduom made the call at a ceremony of chiefs and people of Elmina to commence the celebration of the 2017 Bakatue Festival at Elmina on Tuesday.

He said the private sector was gradually being pushed out of business due to an unstable power supply, high utility tariffs, poor infrastructural facilities and weak economic policies.

Dr Nduom noted that Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) played a critical role in creating jobs for the citizenry as such, government needed to put in place fiscal policies to reduce the high cost of doing business to stimulate economic growth.

“The government must set its priorities right and work to remove every barrier that impedes the development of the private sector which is regarded as the engine of growth,” he stated.

He encouraged local assemblies to establish strong ties with local businesses in their jurisdictions with the essential financial and technical support to enable them to overcome the challenges that confronted them.

Dr Nduom, a renowned entrepreneur, also called on the government to make quality education accessible and free to all children, especially those in the rural areas to ensure equal and efficient distribution of national resources.

He advised the youth to take keen interest in education and engage in productive ventures that would guarantee them a brighter future.

Mrs Elizabeth Naa Afoley Quaye, the Minister of Fisheries and Aqua Culture, assured the fisher folks of government’s continued determination to revamp the fisheries sector to occupy its rightful position in the economic development agenda.

She promised to resolve the recent premix fuel shortages in the Central Region, saying all outstanding issues had been ironed out to allow fuel to power their engines.

The Minister advised the fishermen to adhere to fishing regulations and adopt the best practices of fishing to guarantee good health and environment.

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Source: GNA

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Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga of the Upper East Region after meeting with some of the Regional and Constituency Executive which formed the regional council of the party, he explained that the purpose of the re-organization tour was to revitalize the party’s rank and file in order to prepare them adequately for the 2020 elections.

He said as part of the party’s strategies, plans were underway to strengthen their structures from the polling station, the constituency and the regional levels to make them more vibrant.

[contextly_sidebar id=”h6wGdRtvIikKLxjPq9WwbDYBKJYb7hzr”]He explained that the exercise had become necessary because a research conducted by the party revealed that majority of Ghanaians had become disillusioned by both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Party and New Patriotic party(NPP), saying only the PPP which was a genuine party could salvage Ghanaians from their economic predicaments.

“It has come to the realization of many Ghanaians that it is only the PPP that can effect a positive change by fighting poverty, corruption, provide Jobs and good leadership”.

He said, ‘’Ghana is now becoming a feared state and the PPP condemns in the strongest terms the current lawlessness going on in our country. The Progressive People’s Party will not condone any act of lawlessness from any vigilante group in Ghana. Enough is enough, many people have suffered at the hands of vigilante groups, and it is time to dissolve them. Ghana will not be a breeding ground for terrorist groups. We therefore, demand that, the IGP immediately disband all political party affiliated vigilante groups, and arrest and prosecute members of the groups culpable for causing harm to innocent people and damaging state assets”.

The National Chairman called on Ghanaians to change their voting patterns in 2020 by endorsing the PPP to help restore peace and stability in the country adding that it was regrettable many Ghanaian youth were recently repatriated from Europe and indicated that PPP would create more jobs to cater for them.

On illegal mining in the country, Nii Hammond said PPP was against the illegal activities and indicated that the mining activities had not only polluted the country’s water bodies, but destroyed the environment and farmlands.

He indicated that the party was happy with the media coalition against illegal mining and encouraged them to continue with the concerted effort to help put a stop to “galamsey” in Ghana.

“We want to assure the coalition that they have a reliable partner in the PPP as a party in opposition and PPP as a party soon to be in government. We want to send warning signals to both the private and public sector actors that the environment in Ghana is no longer their playground. We expect the NPP government to gather the political will to prosecute and extradite all foreign “galamseyers” from Ghana so that our farmers can cultivate more crops to improve their individual livelihoods and that of the nation collectively”.

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Source: GNA

The post PPP re-strategises for election in 2020 appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

It said the company will open for business on Monday to enable customers transaction regular business.

[contextly_sidebar id=”n4pSdj1RZGjezERcXWGi6whJANHHxJqL”]A Saturday evening fire that engulfed the subsidiary companies on the premises of the Coconut Grove Regency Hotel, North Ridge in Accra took the combined efforts of personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service and the Fire Department of the Ghana Air Force to douse, after more than 4 hours of battle.

But a statement issued by the Head of Corporate Affairs of Groupe Nduom, Richmond Keelson on Sunday said, efforts have been made to ensure the subsidiary companies resume operation as soon as possible.

“Following the fire that swept through a section of the Regency Hotel yesterday, disaster recovery procedures have been activated.  As a result, GN Bank, Gold Coast Fund Management and Amansan Television (ATV) that were based at the hotel will open for business tomorrow,” it said.

The statement said, “ATV in particular will begin broadcasting early evening today.  Our cherished customers are respectfully requested to go the old Gold Coast compound right next to the Regency to transact business.  GN Bank’s ATM at the Regency is working and available for use.”

It also added that “All customer funds are safe.  All vaults have been recovered intact.”

Meanwhile, the company will hold an interactive session for its customers on Monday about the development.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

The post GN Bank, Gold Coast Securities funds safe – Groupe Nduom appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

In his Easter message on his Facebook page, Dr. Nduom said Ghanaians are tired of listening and reading about messages of hope from leaders at the helm of affairs, amidst diverse challenges.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Y5XTRymndlMzKwxLVIoaNte40Gr4mEI4″]“Some words will be repeated all over the world by religious leaders, politicians, friends and family – new beginning, renewal, fresh start, etc. Some nations will be asked to give peace a chance. People will be asked to give a little to feed the poor. In Kwahu, some people will just want to give fun another chance, and will try very hard to play hard all in the name of Easter.

“But the people are tired of listening to and reading about hope when we face senseless deaths on our roads, in our hospitals and homes; when politically clothed groups act with impunity; and when our farms and rivers are destroyed. All we need  are a few doers to right our wrongs, fix our problems and lead us to the light of the new dawn.”

His comments come a day after President Nana Addo, delivered his Easter message in which he among others asked Ghanaians to remain steadfast in his ambitious vision of prosperity for the country.

The President reiterated that, his vision is to make Ghana rise above reliance on foreign aid, 6o years after independence.

“I have put before you, the Ghanaian people, the most ambitious programme of social and economic transformation of any government in the history of the Fourth Republic, if not in our entire history,” the President said in a message on his Facebook page.

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

The post We need leaders to walk the talk; not hope messages – Nduom appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The PPP on Monday, March 13, 2017 at a press conference, announced its readiness to merge with other smaller political parties to form an effective third political force in the country.

[contextly_sidebar id=”o8I8L5sL9Kh1X3HqoveudJJ0wRkMrdSv”]But according to the PNC, the PPP, which was founded by Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, does not believe in the Nkrumahist ideologies, and therefore cannot seek for a merger with parties founded on those ideologies.

The 2016 flagbearer for the PNC, Dr. Edward Mahama, told Citi News many perceived smaller political parties after every election sought mergers, but arrangements to actualize them fail. He however discounted the possibility of the PNC merging with the PPP based on the difference in their ideologies.

“Before the last election, we were in talks with the CPP. We were supposed to field one candidate and that didn’t hold so I will not put too much trust in what they are saying because I have seen it before several times; year after year. People are very dishonest about their intentions.”

“PPP said they are not Nkrumahists, we are Nkrumahists, so what kind of relationship do they want with us? It is true that he [Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom] is not an Nkrumahist, he left CPP, so if PPP wants unity, they should re-enter CPP, and PNC and CPP can have that relationship because we are both Nkrumahists,” he said.

He added that, “I don’t trust them [PPP] one bit. Why did he [Dr. Nduom] leave CPP in the first place and now he wants to unite with them. He should go back to CPP, then we will have Nkrumahist unity, or he should declare that he is an Nkrumahist, then we can have that relationship. We are Nkrumahist, whether we are losing elections or not, we are not running away from that label.”

Meanwhile, the Convention People’s Party (CPP), has welcomed the proposal for a merger with the PPP.

The Communications Director of the party, Abdul Rauf Kadir, told Citi News the CPP was open to talks for a merger and welcomes the proposal.

 “The Convention People’s Party has always looked forward to the day where all the smaller parties, especially the Nkrumahist parties, come together to form a formidable political force in the country to rescue the mass of the people from the broken promises of the both the NDC and NPP.”

He added that, “We in the CPP, it is in our DNA that any move or discussion towards unity must be given the highest premium so we actually have an open door. Our We are very positive that this time around, even though Ghana is increasingly becoming a duo-politic political party system between the NDC and NPP, we believe that all the smaller political parties  that reason and think like the CPP will come together so that we can forge ahead together,” Abdul Rauf said.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

The post PPP not trustworthy for merger – PNC appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

In a Christmas message via his Facebook page on Sunday, December 25, he said, by supporting each other in this regard, everyone in the country will be afforded equal opportunities in the country.

[contextly_sidebar id=”yEpPnZjyhlLZA1HmrRTTpU8DYye8FoWT”]In a separate Season’s Greeting video, he prayed that the year 2017 bring Ghana great fortunes that will make the country live up to its expectations.

“We wish that [for] all our people, that we will not just be alive, but we will have good health. And that our aspirations will come true and that as a nation we will fulfil our destiny as a great and strong nation, prosperous people, abundant opportunities and may God bless each and every one of us.”

Reflect on God’s blessing upon Ghana – Mahama

Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has urged Ghanaians to reflect on the birth of Christ this Christmas season while counting the numerous blessings over the year.

In a Christmas statement issued by the Minister for Communications, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, President Mahama said the favour of God shall continue to rest upon the country throughout the festive season and beyond. and called on drivers across the country to be careful while driving during the period to ensure an incident-free Christmas and New Year. He prayed that God grants the nation both an

The statement announced that the President would leave Accra for Bole in the Northern Region where he is expected to celebrate Christmas with his family.

Remeber the less fortunate this Christmas – Akufo-Addo

President-elect Nana Akufo-Addo is also encouraging charity and love among Ghanaians as Christmas is celebrated.

He said Ghanaians must be mindful of the true meaning of the life of Christ and Christmas as it emphasises principles of love, reconciliation and charity.

He further urged Ghanaians to be optimistic of the country’s future and work consciously to maintain unity and harmony in the country.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Show kindness and support the disadvantaged – Nduom appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.