Unveiling Shadows: Inside the Government's Secret $2 Million Collaboration with an Israeli Firm.
Ghana's digital ecosystem week in review: Tax Facebook profit in Ghana, GIBA sues MoCD, Ghana to host Africa Money and DeFi summit, Ghana Digital Innovation Week returns in Nov, ...
Accra Digital Digest No. #011010
Date: July 31 - August 6, 2023
Hello August!
Friends, we have curated the most important news, perspectives, analysis, and insights to help you keep tabs of the digital economy in Ghana. Read more below:
Digital governance
News updates
1. DIGITAL GOVERNANCE
‘Facebook tax’ must be extended to cover gains of Meta – Dr. Ampaabeng
The government has been urged to consider taxing the profits made by social media platforms, from the country, as part of the new drive to mobilize revenues from local business activities taking place on such platforms.
Op_ed
Elephant in the Room: GRA’s statement on Safaritech only begs the question
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has on August 3, 2023 issued a press release to All News Editors trying to explain the “due diligence” it did in engaging Safaritech Ghana Limited for some forensic audit job on telcos in Ghana.
Digital infrastructure & platforms
News updates
MTN urges SMEs to migrate to MoMo merchant platform
The Merchant numbers as provided by the Mobile Telecommunications Network, (MTN) is a six-digit code that enabled customers and business owners to do business electronically as against bulk carriage of monies and its associated risks.
Government paid Israeli firm US$2 million for spy work in 2021 - Bright Simons
The Vice President of IMANI-Africa Bright Simons has alleged that the government of Ghana in 2021 paid over $2million to an Israeli spy company Rayzone which specializes in spy technology in the name of fight against cybercrime.
GIBA sues Ministry over collection of TV channel fees
The Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) has gone to the High Court to challenge the Ministry of Communication and Digitalization’s decision to take Television Channel fees from its members.
E-LEVY: Gov’t misses 2023 1st half target; rakes only 46% of projected GHC 982m
Government has missed its 1st half target for the infamous electronic transaction levy (e-levy) by some 54% according to data from the 2023 mid-year fiscal policy review.
Op-ed
Competition In Ghana’s Telecom Sector Is In Disarray
The mobile voice and data space is currently occupied by MTN, Vodafone, and AT (formally AirtelTigo). The space used to be more competitive and had other operators including Glo and Expresso.
Digital finance
News updates
African Fintech and Web3 Leaders to Convene at the Africa Money and DeFi Summit in Ghana
The Africa Money and DeFi Summit, supported by Amazon Web Services, Pivo and Fonbnk, aims to connect African fintech and Web3 industries with international players and will take place in Accra, Ghana on October 3rd and 4th, 2023.
MTN Ghana sees revenue, profit growth in H1 2023, barring harsh environment
MTN Ghana, the only significant market power (SMP) in the industry, has declared impressive growth in revenue and pre-tax profit for the first half of the year 2023. This is in spite of the very harsh operating environment, both at local and global levels, which saw major telcos on the continent, such as MTN Nigeria and Airtel Africa recording decline in profits same period.
UK’s impact investor commits $50m for Ghanaian SMEs
The British International Investment (BII), a development finance institution of the United Kingdom (UK) and impact investor, has committed $50 million to provide flexible and patient capital to support Ghanaian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to be more efficient for economic growth.
Digital entrepreneurship
News updates
Ghana Digital Innovation Week returns in November
The Ghana Digital Innovation Week is set to return with amplified excitement and achievements. Following two years of over 6,000 attendees, 96 exhibitions, and 60 insightful sessions led by ecosystem actors, this year’s highly anticipated event is scheduled for November 15th – 17th, 2023. Collaborations and synergies will be created as the three-day event will bring together digital policymakers, startups, corporates, intermediary organizations and grassroots across the country.
7th Young Entrepreneurs Awards launched
The Young Entrepreneur Awards, organized by Ghana Startups Network, aims to recognize and celebrate the innovative and enterprising spirit of young entrepreneurs in Ghana, while providing a platform to showcase their achievements, inspire others, and foster connections between entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors.
Digital talents
News updates
Empowering the future – Vodafone inaugurates ICT for Girls project in Walewale
The town of Walewale in the North-East Region of Ghana has been the site of a groundbreaking project aimed at empowering female students with crucial digital skills. The ICT for Girls initiative is led by Vodafone employees through the company’s Employee Volunteer Programme and a dedicated team of local stakeholders.
Underprivileged Ghanaian youth benefit from ICT training & jobs through the Datamaker-KOICA IBS
Datamaker Ghana Limited, a data annotation company headquartered in Korea (Datamaker, CEO: Enoch Lee) announces the opening of applications for the 2023 round of ICT training scholarships and job opportunities for underprivileged Ghanaian Youth
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