NLP Ghana Launches “ChatGPT for African Languages” !
Ghana's digital ecosystem week in review: BOG Halts Lemfi Operations in Ghana, Gov't spends GHC 100M on start up support, Ghana Code Club launches 'Hopper Dean AI Centre', and more....
Accra Digital Digest No. #101010
Date: 27th November - 3rd December, 2023
Dear Friends,
Happy new month, happy new week!🎉 Here are the most important news, perspectives, analysis, and insights about the Ghanaian digital ecosystem from last week.
Digital governance
News updates
BOG Halts Lemfi Operations in Ghana!
The Bank of Ghana suspended the Forex licenses of a number of companies including Remittance startup LemFi for violations of the regulators’ Forex Act.
Digital infrastructure and platforms
News updates
NLP Ghana Launches “ChatGPT for African Languages”
Ghana Natural Language Processing, an open group focused on Natural Language Processing (NLP) of Ghanaian Languages and its applications to local problems, has experimented with building LLMs for our local languages, and now have an early prototype of “ChatGPT for Twi, Ewe, Ga, Dagbani, Gurene, Kikuyu, Luo, Yoruba, Meru!
Self-service check-in at Kotoka International Airport begins
The Ghana Airports Company Limited as part of its efforts to ensure seamless facilitation at the airport has begun its self-service check at the Kotoka International Airport. With this new development, international passengers now have the option of accessing the self-service kiosk at Terminal 3 to facilitate a swift check-in process. British Airways, Delta Airlines, United Airlines and Turkish Airlines are enrolled on the system with ground handling agent and GACL customer services staff deployed to offer help to passengers requiring assistance.
Mohammed Amin awarded Best E-Commerce CEO of the year
Founder and Executive Director of Deus.Com. Ghana, Mohammed Mohammed Amin, has been honored as the Best Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Year, E-Commerce category at the just-ended Ghana Industry CEO Awards.Mr. Amin beat competition from other highly coveted CEOs in that category including CEO of Think Expand Ltd, Francis Sabutey, and CEO of Hubtel, Alex Bram to claim the prestigious award.
Digital finance
News updates
op-ed
FinTechs Need Constant Cybersecurity Revamp
The FinTech industry in Ghana just like anywhere else in the world has grown exponentially over the past few years, with many startups entering the market with cutting-edge technologies to provide innovative solutions. Albeit with this development comes several cyber security challenges.
This op-ed addresses measures FinTech companies should adopt to protect their customers’ data and ensure the integrity of their transactions.
Fido expands its credit facility to business owners with the launch of FidoBiz
Fido, renowned for its innovative financial solutions, has once again expanded its offerings with the lauch of FidoBiz to support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises. FidoBiz is aimed at giving registered businesses quick and hassle-free financing. No paperwork, no collateral, no queues, just a seamless online application process.
Zeepay in talks with BoG to resolve forex licence suspension
Zeepay Ghana Limited has said it is in discussions with the Bank of Ghana to resolve the central bank's suspension of its forex licence. The Bank of Ghana, a week ago, imposed a fine on Zeepay for contravening clause 7.3(a) of the Inward Remittance regulations; failure of the settlement bank to adhere to the prescribed average interbank exchange rate outlined in clause 7.3(a). In response to this breach, the Bank of Ghana, apart from the fine, also suspended the Forex Licence of Zeepay.
Does Ghana have a “Credit-Scoring” System?
A strange uproar has been rising on Ghanaian social media since the country’s Vice President announced during a speech at the country’s largest university that his government will introduce a credit scoring system for the first-time next year. But there is one small issue, this is not the first time a timeline has been given for this ethereal system to surface. More than a year ago, whilst speaking to an audience of bankers, the Veep promised the launch of this magnificent system by the end of March 2023.
This piece scrutinizes The State of Ghana’s Current Credit Scoring System and the promises by the vice President.
Digital entrepreneurship
News updates
10 Ghanaian StartUps Announced 2023 MEST Africa Challenge Regional Finalists
MEST Africa has selected 45 standout technology startups to advance to the regional finals of the 2023 MEST Africa Challenge (MAC), for a grand prize of USD 50,000 in equity investment and long-term support from MEST Africa. 10 out these 45 startups selected for their potential to shape the future of technology on the continent are from Ghana! Edanra Limited, Eazy Chain, FlowersGH LTD, Tourizilla, QKnow Edtech, Bouquet, Masters Hive Center for Innovation, FarmWallet Limited, Chestify AI Labs and Advance Pharma Innovations
YouStart Grant signing: Government support startups and MSMEs with 100 million Ghana cedis in 2023.
Vice president Alhaji Mahmoud Bawumia speaking at the YouStart grand signing ceremony has said that the government of Ghana through the Ghana jobs and skills project GJSP and the Ghana Economic Transformation Project(GETP) has given grants support totaling GHC 100 million to start ups and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises(MSMEs) in 2023 through the Ghana Enterprises Agency(GEA’s) YouStart program and that more entrepreneurs and startups would receive grant funding in 2024 under the program.
Digital talents
News updates
Ghana Code Club launches Hopper Dean AI Centre
From AI and Machine Learning to Robotics and web development, the Ghana Code Club has inaugurated the ‘Hopper Dean AI Center’ an AI and Innovation hub for individuals aged 5 and above. The state-of-the-art facility, made possible by the support of the Hopper Dean Family from the United States, is situated in the heart of Kwabenya, Ashongman Estates, Accra and aims to offer diverse and engaging tech learning experience to young minds.
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