Persons close to the matter say the company’s confidence is premised on what it describes as the continuous engagement with the NCA to improve their services.

Minister for Communications, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has stated that telecom companies; Expresso and Glo may lose their licenses if they fail to meet a 30 day ultimatum given by the ministry to answer questions on their poor operations.

This also comes after consistently operating below standards set by the National Communications Authority (NCA).

Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful further hinted that she is convinced the NCA will soon revoke the license of the two telecommunications companies.

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By: Jessica Ayorkor Aryee/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana

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The Minority has described the fines handed out to the stations as excessive, adding that the NCA was trying to monetize freedom of expression.

[contextly_sidebar id=”N5Uz5KzOtROGAy5Z1rxhulY2sMBGhPqt”]Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, backed the NCA’s action, stating that the accusations against the NCA were not based on logic.

“It is unfortunate, and indeed sad to suggest that adherence to the law is a threat to media plurality or that implementing regulatory provisions to manage spectrum can be equated to Nazism? That might make for a good soundbite, but is certainly deficient in logic and good sense,” she said.

“The NCA’s action in no way suppresses free speech. Its inaction, on the other hand, will be irresponsible and can lead to chaos, confusion and disorder caused by the absence of regulation that will impede the exercise of free expression. ”

The stations, including Accra-based Radio Gold, Atlantis Radio and Radio XYZ, 3-FM, were either fined or had their licenses revoked by the National Communications Authority (NCA), following the completion of a nationwide FM Spectrum Audit.

Radio XYZ was fined GHc 4,090,000, Atinka FM GHc 14,800,000, while Radio Gold and Atlantis Radio picked up the heftiest fines with GHc 61,330,000 and GHc 60, 350,000 respectively.

Accra-based Okay FM and Kumasi-based Hello FM, both under the Despite group, have since been shut down as a result of the failure to pay their fines.

The  Media Foundation For West Africa (MFWA), expressed concerns with the sanctions, stating that the NCA itself failed in its mandate as some of the stations had been in default for over a decade.

“Why would the NCA sit down over the years, and in their own statement they indicated that some of these affected media organizations had actually failed to renew or pay whatever it is for as many as 17 years. So you ask yourself, all these years what the NCA was doing?”

However, the Communications Minister dismissed these claims, stating that radio stations which have fallen foul of the law cannot be given a pass because of the inaction of the NCA under previous administrations.

“The fact that previous Boards and Directors of the NCA (with or without the blessing of Ministers of Communication) did not enforce their rules does not mean that a new regime with a belief in the rule of law should not apply the laws of the land. There is no timetable to enforcing regulations and ensuring compliance, and it is better late than never,” Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful added.

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By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post It’s ‘senseless’ to say NCA is suppressing free speech – Ursula appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The allegations were in relation to a contract given to a foreign company for the production of national identification cards

[contextly_sidebar id=”gPvEDt7mgS9SFZ736YLJ2lLHeBMfc9Nv”]Kennedy Agyapong had claimed that Ursula Owusu-Ekuful disregarded a bid [he had interest in] for a contract to print National Identification Authority (NIA) cards in favour of more expensive bidders who had paid her money.

“I welcome the investigations by the CID and even though I am yet to be contacted, I will cooperate with the law enforcement agencies to ascertain the truth… I look forward to a swift resolution of this matter”, she said in a statement refuting the allegations.

She accused the Assin Central MP of making false and ignorant claims against her and said: “a strong message needs to be sent out to those who deliberately disseminate disinformation.”

Ursula Owusu-Ekuful further dared Kennedy Agyapong to provide evidence to support his allegations “born of ignorance”.

The CID is also looking into corruption claims by Kwame Asare Obeng, also known as Kwame A-Plus, against President Akufo-Addo’s two Deputy Chiefs of Staff, Francis Asenso-Boakye, and Abu Jinapor.

This is after President Nana Akufo-Addo’s directive to the security agencies to investigate any allegations of corruption against his appointees.

In a rant on Facebook, A-Plus described the two Deputy Chiefs of Staff as thieves and called them stupid, without backing his claims with evidence.

Francis Asenso-Boakye subsequently rejected the unsubstantiated corruption claims made against him and Abu Jinapor.

A-Plus is now scheduled to meet the CID on Tuesday after he failed to honour an earlier invitation by the department.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The Minister, in a statement, dared Kennedy Agyapong to provide evidence to support his allegations “born of ignorance”.

“I categorically refute the allegations of corruption made against me in relation to the award of the contract for the production of national identification cards by Mr. Kennedy Agyapong. They are patently false and I challenge him to come forward with evidence that corroborates his outlandish allegations.”

Kennedy Agyapong had claimed Ursula Owusu-Ekuful disregarded a bid [he had interest in] for a contract to print NIA cards in favour of more expensive bidders who had paid her money.

But the Communications Minister denied claims made by the former saying they were “patently false” as she explained that National Identification Authority (NIA) wasn’t under her remit as the Communication Minister.

She also noted the contracts were even signed by the Chief of Staff.

“… it is important to clarify that the NIA is not an agency of the Ministry of Communications; that is why the directive was signed by the Chief of Staff in the Office of the President. In accordance with the law of the land, the NIA’s reporting line is directly to the Office of the President. Consequently, as the Minister of Communications, I did not and could not have awarded the contract for the NID, or indeed oversee the process,” the minister stated.

The Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service has already begun investigations into these corruption allegations, in line with a directive by President Akufo-Addo to the security agencies to investigate any allegations of corruption against his appointees.

Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful said she welcomed the investigations by the CID and will cooperate with them in hope of a quick closure to the matter.

“I welcome the investigations by the CID and even though I am yet to be contacted, I will cooperate with the law enforcement agencies to ascertain the truth. A strong message needs to be sent out to those who deliberately disseminate disinformation. I look forward to a swift resolution of this matter”, she stated.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ursula slams Ken Agyapong over ‘false’ corruption claims appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

She indicated her preparedness to address key issues in the communication sector in the country, including enhancing internet penetration, supporting Ghana Post to make it profitable, as well as ensuring telcos perform their duties efficiently to the satisfaction of customers.

She also gave specific assurances of changes to expect under her leadership as Minister.

Below are 6 key statements Ursula Owusu-Ekuful made during her vetting.

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By: Mawuli Tsikata/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The post 6 key things Ursula Owusu-Ekuful said at her vetting [Infographic] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to her, the company has the potential to expand and play a vital role in improving modern communication in the country especially in rural areas.

[contextly_sidebar id=”lk9VhOnzhnImSOuMIF3mjzN347xpiPWY”]Speaking before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Wednesday [February 1, 2017], the Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West said she had started conversations with management of Ghana Post on revamping its operations.

Ghana Post is a national communication and financial agency with nationwide coverage that has served its purpose for more than 5 decades.

In spite of its previous successes and dominance in the communication sector in the past, the company is currently struggling for relevance due to competition from private telecom companies, courier agencies and internet service providers.

But according to the minister-nominee, Ghana Post could still play a relevant role in Ghana’s communications sector given the right investments, tools and leadership, which she says her government is ready to provide.

“I’ve already started engaging with the management of Ghana Post. They have a lot of potential. It hasn’t been realized so far; but I think with the right leadership and investment in human and capital resources, it can be a very profitable company, and I am committed to helping them realize their full potential,” she said.

“If it works, it will benefit a whole lot more of our people who otherwise do not have access to postal services, telephony services or to the many other services such as e-commerce and courier services that they could be used to facilitate. They have the beginnings of something that can make them a profitable company, and I will do everything that is within my power to make them realize their potential.”

‘Internet service in Parliament’

Ghana’s parliament has in the last 5 months been without internet access, making the work of legislators difficult, but according to Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, she will work to restore internet connectivity to the house.

Reacting to a question posed by the Member of Parliament for Asawase constituency, Muntaka Mubarak on the situaiton, the minister-nominee said she was aware parliament had paid money to the National Information Technology Agency (NITA) to restore internet service to the chamber of the House and Job 600, but cannot explain why the House lacked the service.

He assured the Appointments Committee that she will consider it a matter of urgency to ensure Parliamentarians have access to internet service in the House, and also have modern communication gadgets installed in the chamber to function.

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

The post I’ll make Ghana Post profitable – Ursula Owusu appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

She highlighted on challenges of organizational systems and leadership.

Madam Habiba Balogun stated that eventhough “women face the triple burden-being woman, worker and welfare officer,” they can still build successful businesses.”

According to her, business women must recognize that they will be criticized regardless of the decisions they take hence, the need to choose decisions which will grow their businesses.

The post MDM series : Habiba Balogun on “challenges of organisational systems and leadership”(Audio) appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

His presentation focused on the new leadership paradigm which basically focuses on the person inside out and on connecting individuals who are like minded.

He also ironed out some leadership challenges in the African continent and the powers of organisational engagement as well national engagement for transformation.

Mr. Buatsi also spoke on the international leadership foundation’s module for developing leaders and transforming societies.

The post MDM series: Paul Buatsi on “Leadership for Societal Development”(Audio) appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Michael Porter,an international management development trainer explained the difference between invention, innovation, and creativity among others.

According to him, invention is the creation of the product while discovery is the act of detecting something that already exists.

He also explained that creativity involves two main processes; thinking and producing.

Below is the full presentation by Michael Porter 

The post Michael Porter on ‘Creativity and Innovation’ appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The post Caleb Ayiku on ‘Shaping Organisational Culture'(Audio) appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.